Misbehaviour (2020)
The true story of the night Women's Liberation activists crashed the world's most-watched beauty pageant — and changed history forever.
Misbehaviour - Movie Information
- Original Title: Misbehaviour
- Release Year: 2020
- Directed by: Philippa Lowthorpe
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, History, Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, German, Japanese, Spanish, Swedish
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 12, 2020 (Canada - 14A), March 13, 2020 (United Kingdom - 12A), October 1, 2020 (Germany - 0), June 11, 2020 (New Zealand), April 23, 2020 (Australia), May 13, 2021 (Italy), April 30, 2020 (Spain - 7), May 27, 2020 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Die Misswahl - Der Beginn einer Revolution (DE), Misbehavior (US), Miss Revolución (MX), Napačno vedenje (Misbehaviour) (SI), 品行不端 (CN), Miss Révolution (FR), Rompiendo las normas (ES)
- Production Companies: Left Bank Pictures
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Misbehaviour - Plot
A group of women involved in the Women's Liberation Movement hatched a plan to invade the stage and disrupt the live broadcast at the 1970 Miss World competition in London, resulting in overnight fame for the newly-formed organization. When the show resumed, the results caused an uproar and turned the Western ideal of beauty on its head.
Misbehaviour - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the sparks fly:
Miss World 1970: The launch of a revolution
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Misbehaviour - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Philippa Lowthorpe
Main Cast
- Keira Knightley
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw
- Jessie Buckley
- Keeley Hawes
- Phyllis Logan
- Lesley Manville
- Rhys Ifans
- Greg Kinnear
- John Heffernan
- Suki Waterhouse
Writers
- Rebecca Frayn
- Gaby Chiappe
Producers
- Sarah Wheale
- Suzanne Mackie
Misbehaviour - FAQs
What is Misbehaviour about?
Misbehaviour follows a group of Women's Liberation activists who infiltrate the 1970 Miss World pageant in London and disrupt its live BBC broadcast. The film weaves together the feminist protest with the story of Jennifer Hosten, Miss Grenada, whose historic win upended Western beauty standards that same night.
Is Misbehaviour based on a true story?
Yes, Misbehaviour is rooted in real events. On November 20, 1970, members of the Women's Liberation Movement stormed the Miss World stage at the Royal Albert Hall, throwing flour bombs during a live BBC broadcast watched by 100 million viewers worldwide. Jennifer Hosten's win that night added another layer of history.
Where can you stream Misbehaviour right now?
You can stream Misbehaviour on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, BritBox, and Kanopy (free with a library card). It's also available ad-supported on Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, and YouTube Free, or you can rent or buy it on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Why did the Women's Liberation Movement target Miss World?
The 1970 Miss World final was the most-watched TV event in British history at the time, making it the perfect platform for maximum impact. Activists saw beauty pageants as symbols of the objectification of women, and disrupting a live global broadcast guaranteed their message would reach millions overnight.
Who are the main actors in Misbehaviour?
The film boasts a stellar cast: Keira Knightley plays activist Sally Alexander, Gugu Mbatha-Raw portrays Miss Grenada Jennifer Hosten, and Jessie Buckley brings Jo Robinson to life. They're joined by Keeley Hawes, Lesley Manville, Rhys Ifans as pageant organiser Eric Morley, and Greg Kinnear as Bob Hope.
What is the significance of Jennifer Hosten winning Miss World?
Jennifer Hosten becoming the first Black Miss World in 1970 was a seismic moment. Her win, on the very night protesters stormed the stage, challenged the pageant's historically Eurocentric beauty standards and sparked controversy over judging. The film uses her story to explore how race and feminism intersected in that pivotal era.
Who directed Misbehaviour and what else has she made?
Philippa Lowthorpe directed Misbehaviour. She's a BAFTA-winning filmmaker best known for the acclaimed BBC series Call the Midwife and Three Girls, her powerful drama about the Rochdale abuse scandal. Misbehaviour marks her feature film debut, and her background in socially conscious storytelling is evident throughout.
Did Misbehaviour receive positive reviews from critics?
Misbehaviour earned warm notices overall. Critics praised its sharp ensemble performances — particularly Knightley and Mbatha-Raw — and its ability to balance comedy with genuine political weight. Reviewers highlighted how the film gives equal space to the feminist protest and Jennifer Hosten's groundbreaking story, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
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