The Lie (1970)
A haunting BBC adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's play, laying bare the emotional wreckage of a marriage in quiet, devastating detail.
The Lie - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Lie
- Release Year: 1970
- Directed by: Alan Bridges
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, TV Movie
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 29, 1970 (United Kingdom)
- Alternative Titles: Play for Today: The Largest Theatre in the World: The Lie (UK)
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Lie - Plot
Ingmar Bergman play looking at the cool and brittle relationship between a successful architect (Frank Finlay) and his academic wife (Gemma Jones). Commissioned by the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation on behalf of European members participating in 'The Largest Theatre in the World'. This, the Radio Times explained, was 'a project which enabled a play to be broadcast simultaneously in several languages across Europe.' This UK Play For Today version was directed by Alan Bridges, whilst an American version was put out on CBS, directed by Alex Segal.
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The Lie - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Alan Bridges
Main Cast
- Gemma Jones
- Frank Finlay
- John Carson
- Mark Dignam
- Annette Crosbie
- Joss Ackland
- Caroline Blakiston
- Adam Tandy
- Lysandre De La Haye
- Patricia Lawrence
Writers
- Ingmar Bergman
- Paul Britten Austin
Producers
- Graeme MacDonald
The Lie - FAQs
What is The Lie (1970) about?
The Lie is a BBC Play for Today adaptation of an Ingmar Bergman play that dissects the cold, brittle relationship between Andrew Firth, a successful architect, and his academic wife Anna. The drama unfolds their emotional distance and marital tensions with quiet, unsettling precision.
Is The Lie based on a true story or original work?
No, The Lie is not based on a true story. It is an adaptation of a stage play written by Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, originally commissioned by the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation as part of 'The Largest Theatre in the World,' a pan-European simultaneous broadcast project.
Who directed The Lie (1970)?
The UK version of The Lie was directed by Alan Bridges for the BBC's Play for Today strand. A separate American version of the same Bergman play was produced for CBS, directed by Alex Segal, demonstrating the international scope of the original broadcast project.
Who are the main actors in The Lie?
The Lie stars Frank Finlay as architect Andrew Firth and Gemma Jones as his academic wife Anna. The supporting cast includes John Carson, Mark Dignam, Annette Crosbie, Joss Ackland, Caroline Blakiston, Adam Tandy, Lysandre De La Haye, and Patricia Lawrence.
Where can you watch The Lie (1970)?
Streaming availability for The Lie (1970) varies by region. As a vintage BBC television production, it is not widely available on mainstream platforms. You can check current streaming and viewing options for your region via JustWatch for the most up-to-date availability information.
When was The Lie first broadcast?
The Lie was first broadcast on October 29, 1970, in the United Kingdom as part of the BBC's Play for Today series. It aired simultaneously in multiple languages across Europe as part of 'The Largest Theatre in the World' project, a landmark pan-European broadcasting initiative.
What is the connection between The Lie and Ingmar Bergman?
Ingmar Bergman wrote the original play on which The Lie is based. It was commissioned by the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation for a pan-European broadcast project. Bergman, renowned for psychologically intense explorations of marriage and identity, brought his characteristic emotional austerity to this intimate marital drama.
How long is The Lie (1970)?
The Lie has a runtime of 90 minutes. As a BBC Play for Today production, it was designed to fit a standard television broadcast slot while delivering the full dramatic weight of Ingmar Bergman's original stage play within a single, self-contained television presentation.
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