The Libertine (2004)
Johnny Depp burns brilliantly as the Earl of Rochester in this dark, unsparing portrait of 17th-century excess, genius, and self-ruin.
The Libertine - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Libertine
- Release Year: 2004
- Directed by: Laurence Dunmore
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 54m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 16, 2004 (United States - R), March 30, 2006 (United Kingdom - 18), January 25, 2006 (France - U), August 2, 2007 (South Korea - 18)
- Alternative Titles: Либертин (RU), Libertins (FR)
- Production Companies: First Choice Films, Isle of Man Film, Mr. Mudd
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
The Libertine - Plot
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.
The Libertine - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what awaits in this bold Restoration-era drama:
He didn't resist temptation. He pursued it.
Where to Watch The Libertine
Looking for where to watch The Libertine?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Libertine - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Laurence Dunmore
Main Cast
- Johnny Depp
- Samantha Morton
- John Malkovich
- Rosamund Pike
- Paul Ritter
- Stanley Townsend
- Francesca Annis
- Tom Hollander
- Johnny Vegas
- Richard Coyle
Writers
- Stephen Jeffreys
Producers
- Lianne Halfon
- Russell Smith
- John Malkovich
The Libertine - FAQs
What is The Libertine about?
The Libertine follows John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester, a brilliantly self-destructive 17th-century poet who drank, seduced, and scandalized his way through Restoration England. Johnny Depp plays Wilmot as a man who embraced ruin with open arms, leaving behind verse that outlasted his notoriously short, dissolute life.
Is The Libertine based on a true story?
Yes, The Libertine is rooted in real history. John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester, was a genuine figure of Restoration England — a celebrated and scandalous poet who died at just 33 from the ravages of syphilis and alcoholism. The film adapts Stephen Jeffreys' stage play, which drew on Wilmot's documented life and writings.
Where can you stream The Libertine?
You can catch The Libertine for free on Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, YouTube Free, Kanopy, Hoopla, and Fawesome. It's also available to stream with a Philo subscription or through the Shout! Factory Amazon Channel. Prefer to rent or buy? Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and Fandango At Home all have it.
Why does Rochester address the audience directly in The Libertine?
The film opens with Rochester's famous direct address — “You will not like me” — a device carried over from Jeffreys' stage play. It establishes Rochester as a man fully aware of his own repellent charm, inviting the audience into complicity while daring them to judge him. It sets the film's defiant, theatrical tone from the very first moment.
Who are the main actors in The Libertine?
Johnny Depp leads the cast as the dissolute Earl of Rochester, with Samantha Morton as actress Elizabeth Barry, John Malkovich as King Charles II, and Rosamund Pike as Rochester's long-suffering wife Elizabeth Malet. The ensemble also includes Paul Ritter, Tom Hollander, Francesca Annis, Johnny Vegas, and Richard Coyle.
What is the age rating for The Libertine?
The Libertine is rated R. The film earns that rating with frank depictions of sexuality, debauchery, and the physical deterioration caused by syphilis and alcoholism. It's an unflinching portrait of excess, so it's firmly adult viewing — not one for younger audiences.
Did The Libertine perform well at the box office?
The Libertine struggled commercially, earning roughly $10.9 million against an $11 million production budget — essentially breaking even theatrically. Critics were divided, though Johnny Depp's committed, physically transformative performance drew considerable praise. The film has since found a more appreciative audience on home video and streaming.
What is the significance of Rochester's physical decline in the film?
Rochester's deterioration from syphilis and alcoholism is central to the film's unflinching honesty. Rather than romanticizing self-destruction, The Libertine shows its brutal cost — disfigurement, blindness, and an early death. Depp's makeup transformation across the film is striking, turning the portrait of libertinism into something genuinely harrowing rather than glamorous.
More About The Libertine
Explore further details about The Libertine on these authoritative resources: