Ash Wednesday (1973)
A woman risks everything on a surgical transformation, gambling that a new face can rescue a marriage already slipping away.
Ash Wednesday - Movie Information
- Original Title: Ash Wednesday
- Release Year: 1973
- Directed by: Larry Peerce
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Mystery
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 1, 1973 (United States - PG)
- Production Companies: Paramount Pictures, Sagittarius Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Ash Wednesday - Plot
Barbara gets secret plastic surgery in Switzerland in an attempt to save her marriage to Mark, but he doesn't seem interested in meeting her. She checks in to a ski resort to wait for Mark, and begins getting attention from young men. Her daughter tries to warn her that even though she has had the surgery it might be too late for her marriage, but she clings to the hope that Mark will come back once he sees her new look. Meanwhile, she must decide whether or not have an affair with a young man she's met.
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Ash Wednesday - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Larry Peerce
Main Cast
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Henry Fonda
- Helmut Berger
- Keith Baxter
- Maurice Teynac
- Margaret Blye
- Sandy Johnson
- Monique van Vooren
- Henning Schlüter
- Dino Mele
Writers
- Jean-Claude Tramont
Producers
- Dominick Dunne
Ash Wednesday - FAQs
What is Ash Wednesday (1973) about?
Ash Wednesday follows Barbara Sawyer, a middle-aged woman who secretly undergoes plastic surgery in Switzerland hoping to revive her failing marriage. Waiting at a ski resort for her husband Mark, she attracts younger admirers and must weigh a potential affair against her hope of rekindling her relationship.
Where can you stream Ash Wednesday (1973)?
Streaming availability for Ash Wednesday (1973) varies by region and platform. You can check the most up-to-date viewing options, including rental and purchase services, on JustWatch, which lists all current streaming and digital platforms where the film is available.
Who are the main actors in Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday stars Elizabeth Taylor as Barbara Sawyer and Henry Fonda as her husband Mark. The supporting cast includes Helmut Berger as Erich, Keith Baxter as David, Margaret Blye as Kate Sawyer, and Monique van Vooren, among others.
Does Ash Wednesday have a happy ending?
Ash Wednesday ends on a bittersweet and melancholic note. Despite Barbara's dramatic transformation, her husband Mark ultimately reveals he wants a divorce, suggesting that physical change alone cannot repair a deeply fractured marriage. The film closes with Barbara facing an uncertain, emotionally devastating future.
Who directed Ash Wednesday (1973)?
Ash Wednesday was directed by Larry Peerce, an American filmmaker known for his work across drama and social-issue films. The movie was produced by Dominick Dunne and released by Paramount Pictures in November 1973.
What is the age rating for Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is rated PG in the United States. The film contains mature themes including cosmetic surgery, marital breakdown, and romantic infidelity, making it more suitable for adult audiences despite its PG classification under the rating standards of the early 1970s.
How long is Ash Wednesday (1973)?
Ash Wednesday has a runtime of 99 minutes, approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes. The film was released theatrically in the United States on November 1, 1973, by Paramount Pictures.
What movies are similar to Ash Wednesday (1973)?
If you enjoyed Ash Wednesday, you might also like Dark Passage (1947), The Skin I Live In (2011), Vanilla Sky (2001), and Shattered (1991). These films share themes of physical transformation, identity, and psychological drama that resonate with the tone of Ash Wednesday.
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