Sunday, Bloody Sunday

1971, Drama/Lgbtq+, 1h 50m

29 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Led by strong performances from its three leads, Sunday Bloody Sunday takes a sophisticated and groundbreaking look at the complexities of love. Read critic reviews

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Sunday, Bloody Sunday Photos

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Movie Info

Recently divorced career woman Alex Greville (Glenda Jackson) begins a romantic relationship with glamorous mod artist Bob Elkin (Murray Head), fully aware that he's also intimately involved with middle-aged doctor Daniel Hirsh (Peter Finch). For both Alex and Daniel, the younger man represents a break with their repressive pasts, and though both know that Bob is seeing both of them, neither is willing to let go of the youth and vitality he brings to their otherwise stable lives.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Drama, Lgbtq+
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    John Schlesinger
  • Producer:
    Joseph Janni
  • Writer:
    Penelope Gilliatt
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Criterion Collection, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., United Artists
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono

Cast & Crew

Glenda Jackson
Alex Greville
Peter Finch
Dr. Daniel Hirsh
Murray Head
Bob Elkin
Peggy Ashcroft
Mrs. Greville
Tony Britton
George Harding
Maurice Denham
Mr. Greville
Bessie Love
Operator
Jon Finch
Scotsman
John Schlesinger
Director
Penelope Gilliatt
Writer
Joseph Janni
Producer
Edward Joseph
Associate Producer
Ron Geesin
Original Music
Billy Williams
Cinematographer
Richard Marden
Film Editing
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Critic Reviews for Sunday, Bloody Sunday

All Critics (29) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (4)
Full Review… Margaret Hinxman Daily Telegraph (UK) Full Review… Derek Malcolm Guardian Full Review… Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle Full Review… Scott Tobias AV Club Full Review… Ed Potton Times (UK) Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Alan Jones Radio Times Full Review… Jose Solís PopMatters Full Review… Tom Cassidy Common Sense Media Full Review… Jesús Fernández Santos El Pais (Spain) Full Review… Gerald Peary Arts Fuse Full Review… José Teodoro Cinema Scope
View All Critic Reviews (29)

Audience Reviews for Sunday, Bloody Sunday

  • Feb 18, 2022
    Well acted to be sure and it does have that constant feeling of being totally honest. If anything keeps it from being great, its the almost repressive feeling of self importance in several scenes.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 17, 2014
    Glenda Jackson and the late Peter Finch deliver a solid drama and exploration of relationships but cannot be considered among the top pantheon of films.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 02, 2013
    "Sunday Bloody Sunday" probably was a lot more groundbreaking back at the start of the 1970s due its themes of homosexuality and bisexuality, but because of how commonplace the topics are in today's society, it doesn't nearly feel as important. The performances from Peter Finch and Glenda Jackson are understated and magnetic, but they're really all that the film is worth watching for. More should have been done with the film's mature themes; instead, they're used simply to progress the plot.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Nov 09, 2012
    A divorcee and a doctor vie for the affections of a young businessman. John Schlesinger's British character study is a slow-moving, complex story of human relationships and sexuality. It's a film that i should like, but I found myself waiting for a central conflict to emerge. Everything remained under the surface, in classically British subtext. The performances are all nuanced and strong, especially Glenda Jackson and Peter Finch who play overly cerebral characters; their best work is in silence, when they're thinking, processing, scheming. Overall, I wish I could say that I enjoyed this film more, but it failed to grab me.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
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