The Libertine

2004
R
1h 54m

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

38K

YOUR RATING

Johnny Depp and Samantha Morton in The Libertine (2004)

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Steamy Romance Biography Drama History Romance

The story of John Wilmot, a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, a 17th century poet who famously drank and debauched his way to an early grave, only to earn posthumous critical acclaim for his life'... Read allThe story of John Wilmot, a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, a 17th century poet who famously drank and debauched his way to an early grave, only to earn posthumous critical acclaim for his life's work.The story of John Wilmot, a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, a 17th century poet who famously drank and debauched his way to an early grave, only to earn posthumous critical acclaim for his life's work.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

38K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 8 nominations

Trivia
The poem for which Wilmot has been banished from court at the beginning of the film is "A Satyr on Charles II". The historical Wilmot really did submit that poem to the monarch accidentally, but he left court of his own accord, rather than at Charles' command.

Goofs
In several shots, the fake nose John Malkovich is wearing is noticeable, including the sun glowing through when outdoors, and when in the theater box speaking to Johnny Depp, there is a distinct color mismatch that shows the outline of the prosthetic.

Quotes
[first lines]
Rochester: Allow me to be frank at the commencement. You will not like me. The gentlemen will be envious and the ladies will be repelled. You will not like me now and you will like me a good deal less as we go on. Ladies, an announcement: I am up for it, all the time. That is not a boast or an opinion, it is bone hard medical fact. I put it round you know. And you will watch me putting it round and sigh for it. Don't. It is a deal of trouble for you and you are better off watching and drawing your conclusions from a distance than you would be if I got my tarse up your petticoats. Gentlemen. Do not despair, I am up for that as well. And the same warning applies. Still your cheesy erections till I have had my say. But later when you shag - and later you will shag, I shall expect it of you and I will know if you have let me down - I wish you to shag with my homuncular image rattling in your gonads. Feel how it was for me, how it is for me and ponder. 'Was that shudder the same shudder he sensed? Did he know something more profound? Or is there some wall of wretchedness that we all batter with our heads at that shining, livelong moment. That is it. That is my prologue, nothing in rhyme, no protestations of modesty, you were not expecting that I hope. I am John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester and I do not want you to like me.

Crazy credits
Special thanks to Tracy, Billy and Stanley and all our Friends and Families

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Last Holiday/The Matador/The Libertine (2006)

Soundtracks
If
Music by Michael Nyman
Text by Stephen Jeffreys
© Copyright 2005 Chester Music Ltd / Michael Nyman Ltd

User reviews278

Review

Featured review

9/10

Depp does it again

The libertine - What a film... Despite its murkiness, and turgid subject matter, Johnny gives what has to be, his most intricate and breathtaking performance. The first forty-five minutes focuses mainly on John Wilmot's drunken and lecherous ways, and the final forty-five minutes (roughly at around the time that Johnny removes his wig), the sad and awful truth of the life of Rochester kicks in, and from then on, its a cracking story. At the final scene as the light fades along with the haunting words of Rochester's final monologue, I don't think that I would be alone in saying that I was moved to goosebumps and spine chills. Depp is just so intense that frankly, he is beyond brilliant. If the academy don't recognise him this time, I will personally have 'words' with Mr Weinstein! On the whole, an absorbingly different film that deserves all credit.