Lady Caroline Lamb (1972)

Synopsis: After writing three epics for David Lean and A Man for All Seasons, Robert Bolt turned writer/director for this historical drama. It stars his then wife, Sarah Miles, in the title role of the woman who was married to a future Prime Minister, had a celebrated affair with Lord Byron and generally scandalised Regency society.

Miles plays the part to the hilt, appearing in some bizarre costumes and exploiting her own natural talent and extrovert character to advantage, being by turns ravishing, captivating, infuriating and pathetic. Olivier plays a camp Wellington with a false nose, Jon Finch is quietly authoritative as William Lamb/Lord Melbourne and Richard Chamberlain is perfectly pompous as Byron.

For Bolt and Miles, Lady Caroline is a feminist pioneer so the movie has a 1970s conception but done in the rather flat style of a 1950s costume drama.

Cast: Sarah Miles, Jon Finch, Richard Chamberlain, John Mills.
Runtime: 123 min