Carnal Knowledge (1971): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Carnal Knowledge is a 1971 drama directed by Mike Nichols, starring Jack Nicholson, Rita Moreno and Carol Kane. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $33,989 worldwide. It won 1 award from 4 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic. Stream it on BFI Player and Fandango at Home Free, or rent it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Mike Nichols
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Embassy Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Carnal Knowledge About?
The premise of Carnal Knowledge without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Sandy and Jonathan, charming roommates in 1940s America, find their lives entangled in a web of love, loyalty, and desire. As they pursue various relationships, Sandy’s naivete is challenged by unexpected betrayals. Meanwhile, Jonathan's seemingly carefree and hedonistic lifestyle hides a deeper yearning for genuine connection. The film explores themes of masculinity, moral boundaries, and the complicated nature of intimacy and infidelity within the backdrop of a changing era.
Carnal Knowledge Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- male nudity
- sexual awakening
- male in a shower
- brief male frontal nudity
- sex
- prosthetic breast
- battle of the sexes
- man wrapped in a towel
- outdoor sex
- college mixer
- college dating
- affair with friend's girlfriend
+38 more Show fewer
- husband wife relationship
- alimony
- female rear nudity
- attempted wife swapping
- slideshow
- sex with boyfriend's best friend
- cheating girlfriend
- shy man
- central park manhattan new york city
- long take
- kiss
- shower
- dark comedy
- college roommate
- ex husband ex wife relationship
- hippie
- lie
- sexism
- friend
- friendship between men
- female nudity
- pubic hair
- nichols and nicholson
- 1940s
- friendship
- female star appears nude
- erectile dysfunction
- cynicism
- seduction
- reference to lassie
- tax collector
- model
- lawyer
- ice skater
- deception
- college student
- comedy of manners
- male female relationship
Where to Watch Carnal Knowledge
Stream it on BFI Player and Fandango at Home Free, or rent it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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BFI Player Amazon Channel 
Fandango at Home Free 
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Plex Channel 
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Carnal Knowledge Cast
Jack Nicholson leads the cast, with Rita Moreno and Carol Kane. Directed by Mike Nichols; 7 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Mike Nichols
Also Starring in Carnal Knowledge
· 3 moreCarnal Knowledge Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Carnal Knowledge 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 88% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 72%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 77 Metascore
User score 7.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB
Carnal Knowledge Plot Summary
What happens in Carnal Knowledge 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
As the post-war landscape of the late 1940s began to unfold against the backdrop of Amherst College, an unexpected encounter between student Sandy and coed Susan ignited a romance that would carry them through the years. Their initial bond, centered on mutual respect and trust, showcased Susan’s hesitance to give in to physical desire, highlighting her dedication to a deeper emotional connection. However, unbeknownst to Sandy, his roommate Jonathan had his own intentions regarding Susan. Driven by his charming yet womanizing ways, Jonathan managed to allure her into an ill-fated night of passion, ultimately spiraling into a toxic breakup that would leave lasting scars.
Full summary
The whole story of Carnal Knowledge, scene by scene
Carnal Knowledge Box Office
Carnal Knowledge grossed $33,989 worldwide. $33,668 came from the US and Canada and $321 (1%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$34K
- US & Canada
- $33.7K
- International
- $321
Carnal Knowledge Awards & Nominations
Carnal Knowledge won 1 award from 4 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Golden Globes 1972, with 1 win from 3 nominations.
1 win4 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Golden Globes 1972 1 win · 3 nominations- Won Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actress) – Ann-Margret
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Jack Nicholson
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actor) – Art Garfunkel
-
Oscars 1972 1 nomination- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Ann-Margret
Carnal Knowledge Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Carnal Knowledge.
How Well Do You Know Carnal Knowledge?
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 is Sandy's college roommate?
Carnal Knowledge Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “Wie bitte wär's mit Liebe?” and “Carnal Knowledge - Die Kunst zu lieben”.
- Also known as
-
- Wie bitte wär's mit Liebe?
- Carnal Knowledge - Die Kunst zu lieben
- Познание плоти
- Пізнання плоті
- Conoscenza carnale
- Ce plaisir qu'on dit charnel
- Porozmawiajmy o kobietach
- Köttets lust
- Der obszöne Vogel der Lust
- Ânsia de Amar
- Testi kapcsolatok
- Conocimiento carnal
+9 more Show fewer
- Die Kunst zu lieben
- ידע הבשרים
- Плътско познание
- Kødets lyst
- 猎爱的人
- 애정과 욕망
- Tělesné vztahy, სხეულის შეცნობა
- İlk Defa
- Miehuusvuodet
Seen Carnal Knowledge?
Movies Like Carnal Knowledge
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Carnal Vessels, Carnal Sins and Carnal Campus.
Carnal Knowledge FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Carnal Knowledge, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Carnal Knowledge?
Carnal Knowledge runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Carnal Knowledge released?
Carnal Knowledge was released on June 30, 1971.
Who directed Carnal Knowledge?
Carnal Knowledge was directed by Mike Nichols.
More films by Mike Nichols Who is in the cast of Carnal Knowledge?
Carnal Knowledge stars Jack Nicholson, Rita Moreno and Carol Kane, among 7 credited actors.
Where can I watch Carnal Knowledge?
In the US, Carnal Knowledge is streaming on BFI Player, Fandango at Home Free and Fawesome and available to rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Carnal Knowledge make at the box office?
Carnal Knowledge grossed $33,989 worldwide ($33,668 domestic, $321 international).
How is Carnal Knowledge rated?
Carnal Knowledge has 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.
What awards did Carnal Knowledge win?
Carnal Knowledge won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actress) at the Golden Globes 1972.
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