Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- sensual
- glamorous
- serious
- historical drama night
- british cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a compelling and perceptive recreation of the Profumo scandal, especially John Hurt's nuanced performance and its insight into the human consequences of political and sexual intrigue.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The plot directly dramatizes the 1963 Profumo scandal involving Christine Keeler, Stephen Ward, and Conservative politician John Profumo.
Stephen Ward's parties and contacts connect exotic dancers with members of the Conservative Party and other powerful figures.
The film recreates 1960s London through cabaret dancers, wealthy parties, fashionable elites, and the era's sexual-political atmosphere.
Christine Keeler's affair with the Minister of War becomes public and endangers the lifestyles and freedom of those involved.
Films like Scandal, and why
The Queen
shared historical drama, political scandal, sexual intrigue, and scrutiny of elite society
A Very British Scandal
shared period drama, institutional power, forbidden relationships, and British political context
The Crown
shared true-story scandal, upper-class decadence, sexual politics, and media exposure
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Caton-Jones
- Release Date
- 1989-03-03
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (105)
Cast
- John Hurt
- Joanne Whalley
- Bridget Fonda
- Ian McKellen
- Leslie Phillips
- Britt Ekland
- Daniel Massey
- Roland Gift
- Alex Norton
- Ronald Fraser
Common questions
- What is Scandal about?
- A glamorous 1960s London social circle collides with government power when an affair turns private pleasure into a national scandal.
- What is Scandal like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Scandal as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Scandal violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Scandal.
- What did critics think of Scandal?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a compelling and perceptive recreation of the Profumo scandal, especially John Hurt's nuanced performance and its insight into the human consequences of political and sexual intrigue.
- Which films are like Scandal?
- Films with a similar feel include The Queen, A Very British Scandal, and The Crown.
- How long is Scandal?
- Scandal runs 115 minutes.
