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Dance with a Stranger (1985)

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Average Rating: 7.4/10
Reviews Counted: 10
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 1,464

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Movie Info

This darkly haunting slightly fictionalized film is a retelling of the life and death of Ruth Ellis (Miranda Richardson), the last woman to be executed in England. Ellis, a divorcee and ex-prostitute works as a "hostess" in a tacky nightclub. There she meets and begins an obsessive love affair with upper-class David Blakely (Rupert Everett), who eventually discards her. Still obsessed and jealous because of David's upcoming marriage to a woman of his own class, Ellis murders him. Miranda

R, 2 hr.

Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Mike Newell

Written By: Shelagh Delaney

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1985 Wide

On DVD: Jan 23, 2001

Concorde Film

Dance with a Stranger Trailer & Photos

Cast

Miranda Richardson
Ruth Ellis
Rupert Everett
David Blakely
Ian Holm
Desmond Cussen
Matthew Carroll
Andy
Tom Chadbon
Anthony Findlater
Jane Bertish
Carole Findlater
David Troughton
Cliff Davis
Paul Mooney
Clive Gunnell
Stratford Johns
Morrie Conley
Charles Cork
Policeman
Patrick Field
Builder
Lesley Manville
Maryanne
Martin Murphy
Roy
Colin Rix
Landlord "Madgala"
Joanne Whalley
Christine
David Beale
Man in Little Club
Charon Bourke
Ballroom Singer
Sallie-Anne Field
Claudette
Ian Hurley
Policeman
Miki Iveria
Landlady
Michael Jen
Wilf
Susan Kyd
Barbara
Tony Mathews
Customer "Madgala"
Nicholas McArdle
Landlord
Lizzie McKenzie
Woman in Launderette
Elizabeth Newell
Baby
Alan Thompson
Tracy-Louise Ward
Girl with David Blakely
Joanne Whalley-Kilmer

Critic Reviews for Dance with a Stranger

All Critics (13) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (1) | DVD (2)

Miranda Richardson gives a brilliant performance as Ruth Ellis in Mike Newell's gloomy and dowbeat film noir, based on the life of the last British femme to be hanged for murder.

July 16, 2005 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

An unforgettable performance by Miranda Richardson.

August 22, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

Compelling fact-based drama

August 26, 2002 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Brilliantly exposes the dark underside of the supposedly happy and benign decade of the 1950s.

February 28, 2002 Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies

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Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies Source: Goatdog's Movies

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Audience Reviews for Dance with a Stranger

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Based on the story of Ruth Ellis - the last woman to be hanged in Britain. The film provides the tale of the build up toward her crime of passion. Miranda Richardson (possibly better known for her comedy roles) plays a great role here as a woman who doesn't suffer fools gladly and a fiesty, perhaps controversial

August 16, 2007

Lady D'arbanville

Super Reviewer

Good News/Bad NewsGood News: Miranda Richardson is incredible. Beyond her command of the character, which in itself is remarkable, is her sheer screen presence. To quote Steve Wiecking, she looks like a "delicious chilled confection".Bad News: The film has a BBC-made-for-television feel to it, especially

March 10, 2009