Brief Encounter (1946): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Brief Encounter is a 1946 romantic drama directed by David Lean, starring Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard and Alfie Bass. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes and earned $119,447 worldwide. It was nominated for 2 Oscars. Critics gave it 92 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 26m (86 min)
- Director
- David Lean
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Brief Encounter About?
The premise of Brief Encounter without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Bound by duty and societal expectations, two strangers begin a secret romance during chance encounters on trains and in brief moments together. Alec Harvey, a married doctor, and Anna Jesson find themselves drawn to each other, risking everything as they navigate a passionate and forbidden affair. The weight of their concealed desires grows, threatening to expose their illicit relationship and forcing them to confront the potential repercussions of their choices.
Brief Encounter Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- accidental meeting
- train
- voice over narration
- adultery
- organist
- reference to cardinal richelieu
- reference to john keats
- reference to shirley temple
- told in flashback
- shakespearean quote
- quote from richard iii
- love
+38 more Show fewer
- housewife
- train station
- husband wife relationship
- marriage
- reference to donald duck
- tea
- flashback
- hospital
- refreshment
- 1940s
- england
- first person narration
- voice over inner thoughts
- stationmaster
- female bartender
- grit in the eye
- removing dirt from the eye
- medical doctor
- man in love with a married woman
- in love with a married man
- romantic date
- romantic crush
- suicidal mood
- kiss
- tragic romance
- woman
- strangers
- romantic drama
- stranger
- europe
- melodrama
- 20th century
- remade
- based on a stage play
- lean and howard
- lean and c. johnson
- shopping
- doctor
Brief Encounter Cast
Celia Johnson leads the cast, with Trevor Howard and Alfie Bass. Directed by David Lean; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director David Lean
Also Starring in Brief Encounter
· 6 moreBrief Encounter Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Brief Encounter 92 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 92 Metascore
User score 7.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 77% User score
See on TMDB
Brief Encounter Plot Summary
What happens in Brief Encounter from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a bustling railway station refreshment room, Laura Jesson sits at a table with her husband, Fred. Their mood is distinctly somber until one of Laura’s friends arrives, engaging in cheerful chatter. After a few polite exchanges, Fred departs to catch his train, leaving Laura’s friend to update Laura that she won’t see Fred again as he is relocating to Africa. After Fred leaves, the friend quickly vanishes, only to reappear with an explanation that she was eager to see the express train. Following a brief moment, both women set off to board their own train.
Full summary
The whole story of Brief Encounter, scene by scene
Brief Encounter Box Office
Brief Encounter grossed $119,447 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$119.4K
- International
- $117K
Brief Encounter Awards & Nominations
Brief Encounter was nominated for 2 Oscars.
2 nominations1 ceremony
-
Oscars 1947 2 nominations- Nominated Actress – Celia Johnson
- Nominated Directing – David Lean
Brief Encounter Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 featurettes.
- Featurette A Re-Encounter 70 Years After 'Brief Encounter'
- Featurette Rachel Weisz LOVES "Brief Encounter" and "All that Jazz" | BFI
- Featurette Mark Kermode reviews Brief Encounter (1945) | BFI Player
- Featurette "Could You Really Say Goodbye?" - Brief Encounter's Carnforth Station | BFI
How Well Do You Know Brief Encounter?
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 the character Laura Jesson?
Cars in Brief Encounter
2 cars on screen: the 1937 Hillman Minx Magnificent Drophead Coupé and the 1937 Ford Eight.
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1937 Hillman Minx Magnificent Drophead Coupé Important role -
1937 Ford Eight Background role
Brief Encounter Also Known As
31 alternative titles, including “Breve Encuentro” and “难续未了情”.
- Also known as
-
- Breve Encuentro
- 难续未了情
- 逢恨晚
- Kort möte
- Lyhyt onni
- Кратка среща
- Det korte møde
- Syntomi synantisis
- Késői találkozás
- Spotkanie
- Puto najsilnejsie
- Desencanto
+19 more Show fewer
- 밀회
- Begegnung - Brief Encounter
- あいびき
- Breve incontro
- Begegnung
- Brève rencontre
- Короткая встреча
- 相见恨晚
- Σύντομη συνάντηση
- פגישה מקרית
- Kısa Buluşma
- Breve Encontro
- Коротка зустріч
- 相見恨晚
- Pouto nejsilnější
- 逢びき
- Breu encontre
- ปรารถนารัก มิอาจลืม
- Întâlnirea succintă
Seen Brief Encounter?
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Brief Encounter FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Brief Encounter, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Brief Encounter?
Brief Encounter runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).
When was Brief Encounter released?
Brief Encounter was released on August 24, 1946.
Who directed Brief Encounter?
Brief Encounter was directed by David Lean.
More films by David Lean Who is in the cast of Brief Encounter?
Brief Encounter stars Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard and Alfie Bass, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Brief Encounter make at the box office?
Brief Encounter grossed $119,447 worldwide.
How is Brief Encounter rated?
Brief Encounter has 92 on Metacritic and 77% on TMDB.
Was Brief Encounter nominated for any awards?
Brief Encounter received 2 nominations across 1 ceremony.
Does Brief Encounter have a post-credit scene?
No. Brief Encounter has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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