Educating Rita (1983): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Educating Rita is a 1983 comedy drama directed by Lewis Gilbert, starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. It is based on Educating Rita by Willy Russell and Steve Lewis. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $14.6 million worldwide. It won 3 awards from 11 nominations, among them 3 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 50m (110 min)
- Director
- Lewis Gilbert
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Educating Rita About?
The premise of Educating Rita without spoilers, adapted from Educating Rita by Willy Russell and Steve Lewis. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A vibrant and unconventional hairdresser, Rita, enrolls in an adult education course and forms a surprising connection with her tutor, the jaded and cynical Dr. Bryant. As Rita’s intellectual curiosity blossoms, she inspires Bryant to rediscover his love of literature and teaching. However, their evolving relationship faces complications when Rita's husband grapples with her increasing independence and pursuit of knowledge, creating tension within their marriage.
Educating Rita Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- essay writing
- university lecturer
- alcoholism
- troubled marriage
- teacher student relationship
- alcohol
- professor
- open university
- hairdresser
- teaching
- women's education
- third level education
+38 more Show fewer
- adult education
- college
- character name in title
- class differences
- liverpool england
- breakup
- trinity college dublin
- dublin ireland
- attempted suicide
- contraceptive pill
- burning books
- reference to the long weekend
- jukebox
- essay
- reference to gustav mahler
- reference to shakespeare
- wedding
- reference to chekhov
- whiskey
- city
- visit
- opening a door
- saying thank you
- apology
- urban setting
- british accent
- british comedy
- classroom
- class
- education
- married couple
- female student
- brunette
- teacher
- saying goodbye
- drunk
- character says i'm sorry
- night
Educating Rita Cast
Michael Caine leads the cast, with Julie Walters. Directed by Lewis Gilbert.
-
Director Lewis Gilbert
More from Lewis Gilbert
More films directed by Lewis Gilbert, best-rated first: Alfie, Shirley Valentine, You Only Live Twice and Moonraker.
Educating Rita Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Educating Rita 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 81% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 81%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 54 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic
Educating Rita Plot Summary
What happens in Educating Rita from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a world that often stifles individuality, Susan, who prefers to be called Rita, is a spirited 26-year-old hairdresser, feeling ensnared in a tedious routine. The thought of settling into motherhood unnerves her, making her believe it could tether her to a monotonous life she’s desperate to flee. Instead, she craves something deeper, although what exactly that entails remains unclear. In pursuit of intellectual freedom, Rita decides to enroll in a literature course at Open University.
Full summary
The whole story of Educating Rita, scene by scene
Educating Rita Box Office
Educating Rita grossed $14.6 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$14.6M
- US & Canada
- $14.6M
Educating Rita Awards & Nominations
Educating Rita won 3 awards from 11 nominations, among them 3 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1984, with 3 wins from 6 nominations.
3 wins11 nominations3 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 1984 3 wins · 6 nominations- Won Best Actor in a Leading Role – Michael Caine
- Won Best Actress in a Leading Role – Julie Walters
- Won Best Film – Lewis Gilbert
- Nominated Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay
-
Oscars 1984 3 nominations- Nominated Actor in a Leading Role – Michael Caine
- Nominated Actress in a Leading Role – Julie Walters
- Nominated Writing (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium)
-
Golden Globes 1984 2 nominations- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical – Michael Caine and Julie Walters
- Nominated Best Screenplay
Educating Rita Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Educating Rita.
How Well Do You Know Educating Rita?
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
What is Rita's real name?
Cars in Educating Rita
16 cars on screen, including the 1980 Ford Transit MkII and the 1974 Leyland Atlantean AN68/1R.
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1980 Ford Transit MkII Important role -
1974 Leyland Atlantean AN68/1R Important role -
1969 Triumph Vitesse 2-Litre Mk2 Important role -
1971 Volkswagen Micro Bus T2 Typ 2 Important role
Educating Rita Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “L'Éducation de Rita” and “Rita will es endlich wissen”.
- Also known as
-
- L'Éducation de Rita
- Rita will es endlich wissen
- Educando a Rita
- Εκπαιδεύοντας τη Ρίτα
- לחנך את ריטה
- Rita többet akar - Szebb dalt énekelni
- Воспитание Риты
- 리타 길들이기
- Edukacja Rity
- O Despertar de Rita
- Timmarna med Rita
- Да образоваш Рита
+2 more Show fewer
- 凡夫俗女
- Educant la Rita
Seen Educating Rita?
Movies Like Educating Rita
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Rita, Sue and Bob Too, An Education and Lovely Rita.
Educating Rita FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Educating Rita, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Educating Rita?
Educating Rita runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).
When was Educating Rita released?
Educating Rita was released on September 21, 1983.
Who directed Educating Rita?
Educating Rita was directed by Lewis Gilbert.
More films by Lewis Gilbert Who is in the cast of Educating Rita?
Educating Rita stars Michael Caine and Julie Walters.
How much did Educating Rita make at the box office?
Educating Rita grossed $14.6 million worldwide.
How is Educating Rita rated?
Educating Rita has 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic.
Is Educating Rita based on a book?
Yes. Educating Rita is adapted from Educating Rita by Willy Russell, Steve Lewis, Chris Megson and Jenny Stevens.
What awards did Educating Rita win?
Educating Rita won 3 awards from 11 nominations, including Best Actor in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 1984.
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