The film The Duchess is a 2008 historical drama film directed by Saul Dibb. It is based on the 1998 book Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman, about the late 18th-century English aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. She was an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The film stars Keira Knightley as Georgiana Cavendish, Ralph Fiennes as William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, and Dominic Cooper as Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey.
It follows the life of Georgiana Cavendish, from her marriage to the Duke of Devonshire at the age of 17 to her death at the age of 33. Georgiana was a popular and influential figure in British society, but she also had a tumultuous personal life. She was unhappy in her marriage and had a number of extramarital affairs, including one with Charles Grey, who later became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The film explores themes of marriage, love, betrayal, and social class. It is a visually stunning film with excellent performances from the cast.
The Duchess was a commercial success, grossing over $43 million worldwide. It was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Costume Design and Best Actress for Keira Knightley.
The film has been praised for its historical accuracy, its sumptuous production values, and its strong performances.
Trailer
@taskmaster4450le/re-leothreads-2pahxju3u
Cast
- Keira Knightley as Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
- Ralph Fiennes as William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
- Hayley Atwell as Lady Elizabeth 'Bess' Foster
- Charlotte Rampling as Georgiana Spencer, Countess Spencer, Georgiana's mother
- Dominic Cooper as Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
- Aidan McArdle as The Right Honourable Richard Brinsley Sheridan
- Simon McBurney as The Right Honourable Charles James Fox
- Sebastian Applewhite as Sir Augustus Clifford, 1st Baronet
- Calvin Dean as Devonshire House Servant
- Emily Jewell as Nanny
- Richard McCabe as Sir James Hare
- Bruce Mackinnon as actor playing Sir Peter Teazle in The School for Scandal
- Alistair Petrie as Heaton
- Georgia King as actress playing Lady Teazle in The School for Scandal
- Camilla Arfwedson as Lady Charlotte
- Paul Daley as George Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire a.k.a. "the Duke's brother"
Director: Saul Dibb
Writers: Jeffrey Hatcher Anders Thomas Jensen Saul Dibb
Box Office Gross: $43,343,384
Distributor: Paramount Vantage
Genre: Biography Drama History Romance Thriller
Release Date: September 5, 2008