Overview
A clash of class and ideology unfolds on the open sea as two unlikely companions are forced to confront their differences.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- abrasive
- provocative
- sardonic
- arthouse film night
- political cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly recognize the film's forceful direction, performances, and politically charged class satire while remaining divided over its misogynistic and sexually coercive material.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Raffaella's wealth and Gennarino's communist convictions turn their stranded relationship into a personal contest over bourgeois privilege and proletarian revolt.
The film presents coercive sexual subjugation through a class-political framework, generating sharply divided interpretations about misogyny and critique.
A disabled boat leaves the wealthy passenger and her sailor companion isolated at sea and later dependent on a deserted island environment.
The relationship mixes antagonistic banter, sexual tension, political argument, and deliberately uncomfortable reversals of dominance.
Films like Swept Away, and why
The Seduction of Mimi
shared class conflict, sexual power struggle, politically charged comedy-drama, and isolated setting
Seven Beauties
shared Lina Wertmüller authorship, abrasive gender politics, class warfare, and satirical social critique
The Graduate
shared battle of the sexes, escalating relationship power dynamics, and provocative romantic comedy
The Piano
shared survival setting, contentious intimacy, and psychologically coercive gender dynamics
Movie Details
- Director
- Lina Wertmüller
- Release Date
- 1974-12-18
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (345)
Cast
- Giancarlo Giannini
- Mariangela Melato
- Riccardo Salvino
- Isa Danieli
- Aldo Puglisi
- Anna Melita
- Eros Pagni
- Vittorio Fanfoni
- Lorenzo Piani
- Giuseppe Durini
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Kino Film Collection
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Swept Away about?
- A wealthy Italian socialite and her communist sailor become unwilling castaways in a volatile, provocative battle over class, sex, and power.
- What is Swept Away like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Swept Away as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Swept Away violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Swept Away as moderate.
- What did critics think of Swept Away?
- Critics broadly recognize the film's forceful direction, performances, and politically charged class satire while remaining divided over its misogynistic and sexually coercive material.
- Which films are like Swept Away?
- Films with a similar feel include The Seduction of Mimi, Seven Beauties, The Graduate, and The Piano.
- How long is Swept Away?
- Swept Away runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Swept Away?
- In United States, Swept Away streams on Kino Film Collection.
