A Severed Head (1971): Cast & Plot
A Severed Head is a 1971 comedy directed by Dick Clement, starring Richard Attenborough as Palmer Anderson, Lee Remick and Ian Holm. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Dick Clement
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Winkast Film Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is A Severed Head About?
The premise of A Severed Head without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Antonia Lynch‑Gibbon, the wife of wine dealer Martin, falls for his best friend, the respected psychiatrist Palmer Anderson. Both wish to remain in Martin’s life, yet he guards his own scandals—a mistress named Georgie, also pursued by his brother, and further secrets. Meanwhile, Palmer’s sister Honor appears to know everyone’s affairs.
A Severed Head Themes & Keywords
· 13 tags- female nudity
- female topless nudity
- sex comedy
- dark comedy
- friend
- psychiatrist
- mistress
- wine tasting
- sex
- husband wife relationship
- extramarital affair
- based on novel
+1 more Show fewer
- based on play
A Severed Head Cast & Characters
Richard Attenborough leads the cast as Palmer Anderson, with Lee Remick as Antonia Lynch-Gibbon and Ian Holm as Martin Lynch-Gibbon. Directed by Dick Clement; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director Dick Clement
-
Richard Attenborough as Palmer Anderson -
Lee Remick as Antonia Lynch-Gibbon -
Ian Holm as Martin Lynch-Gibbon - Ann Firbank as Rosemary Lynch-Gibbon
Also Starring in A Severed Head
· 10 more- Jennie Linden Georgie Hands
- Claire Bloom Honor Klein
- Clive Revill Alexander Lynch-Gibbon
- Robert Gillespie Winking Patient
- Nerys Hughes Nurse
- Rosamund Greenwood Miss Seelhaft
- Yvette Rees Woman at Party
- Anne Jameson Woman at Party
- Constance Lorne Miss Hernshaw
- Katherine Parr Receptionist
More from Dick Clement
More films directed by Dick Clement: Bullshot, Porridge, To Russia… with Elton and Catch Me a Spy.
A Severed Head Plot Summary
What happens in A Severed Head from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The story unfolds in and around London, painting a portrait of a privileged social circle where desire and propriety constantly collide. Antonia Lynch-Gibbon [Lee Remick], the pampered wife of Martin Lynch-Gibbon, openly informs her husband that she is in love with their best friend, Palmer Anderson [Richard Attenborough], a psychiatrist who means to handle the situation with civility by remaining friends with Martin.
Martin Lynch-Gibbon [Ian Holm] tries to keep his secret romance with his mistress Georgie Hands [Jennie Linden] hidden, even as the truth edges closer to the surface. Palmer Anderson [Richard Attenborough] and Antonia navigate a delicate balance, hoping that friendship can weather the storm of their entanglements, even as the romantic web around them grows more complex and unpredictable.
Full summary
The whole story of A Severed Head, scene by scene
A Severed Head Trailers & Videos
The trailer of A Severed Head.
How Well Do You Know A Severed Head?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays Antonia Lynch-Gibbon, the wife who openly declares her love for another man?
Cars in A Severed Head
27 cars on screen, including the 1962 Alvis TD 21 3-Litre Series II and the 1929 Lagonda 2 Litre.
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1962 Alvis TD 21 3-Litre Series II Main role -
1929 Lagonda 2 Litre Important role -
1963 Austin FX4 Minor role -
unknown Minor role
A Severed Head Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Traue keinem Hausfreund” and “Отсечённая голова”.
- Also known as
-
- Traue keinem Hausfreund
- Отсечённая голова
- 现实生活的另一面
- 사랑의 시련
- L’embolic s’embolica
Seen A Severed Head?
Movies Like A Severed Head
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Such Good Friends, The Wife and Adult Behaviour… It’s All in the Mind.
A Severed Head FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of A Severed Head, each answered in a sentence.
How long is A Severed Head?
A Severed Head runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was A Severed Head released?
A Severed Head was released on January 21, 1971.
Who directed A Severed Head?
A Severed Head was directed by Dick Clement.
More films by Dick Clement Who is in the cast of A Severed Head?
A Severed Head stars Richard Attenborough as Palmer Anderson, Lee Remick as Antonia Lynch-Gibbon and Ian Holm as Martin Lynch-Gibbon, among 14 credited actors.
Does A Severed Head have a post-credit scene?
No. A Severed Head has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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