The Best House in London (1969): Cast & Plot
The Best House in London is a 1969 comedy directed by Philip Saville, starring George Sanders as Sir Francis Leybourne, Dany Robin and David Hemmings. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes.
- Release year
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- Philip Saville
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Bridge Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Best House in London About?
The premise of The Best House in London without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In Victorian London, the British Government launches an ambitious scheme to curb prostitution by creating an opulent establishment dubbed the ‘best place in town.’ The plan results in the world’s most extravagant brothel, a lavish venue where decadence and social experiment collide.
The Best House in London Themes & Keywords
· 14 tags- hot
- sex scene
- sexy
- farce
- prostitute
- slut
- sex farce
- british sex comedy
- sex comedy
- london england
- place name in title
- city name in title
+2 more Show fewer
- female nudity
- historic figures as characters
The Best House in London Cast & Characters
George Sanders leads the cast as Sir Francis Leybourne, with Dany Robin as Babette and David Hemmings as Benjamin Oakes / Walter Leybourne. Directed by Philip Saville; 34 actors are credited in all.
- Director Philip Saville
-
George Sanders as Sir Francis Leybourne - Dany Robin as Babette
-
David Hemmings as Benjamin Oakes / Walter Leybourne - Joanna Pettet as Josephine Pacefoot
Also Starring in The Best House in London
· 30 more- Warren Mitchell Count Pandolfo
- Peter Jeffrey Sherlock Holmes
- Thorley Walters Doctor Watson
- Veronica Carlson Lily
- John Bird Home Secretary
- Maurice Denham Editor, The Times
- Roy Beck Times Newspaper Reporter (uncredited)
- Milton Reid Henchman
- Margaret Nolan Busty Prostitute
- Bill Fraser Inspector MacPherson
- Hugh Burden Lord Tennyson
- Jan Holden Lady Dilke
- Avril Angers Flora's Mother
- Carol Friday Flora
- Penny Spencer Evelyn
- John Cleese Jones
Show all 34 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Martita Hunt Headmistress
- Joe Lynch
- Marianne Stone
- Tessie O'Shea Music Hall Singer
- Ferdy Mayne
- Arnold Diamond Charles Dickens
- Charles Lloyd Pack
- William Rushton Sylvester Wall
- Eric Barker
- Betty Marsden Felicity
- Queenie Watts Old Crone
- William Mervyn
- Jessie Robins
- Clement Freud Mr Mason
More from Philip Saville
More films directed by Philip Saville, best-rated first: The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John, Metroland, Discovering Hamlet and The Gospel of John.
The Best House in London Plot Summary
What happens in The Best House in London from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Victorian London hums with a strange mix of opulence and underlying tension as Sir Francis Leybourne [George Sanders] stands at the center of a shifting power play. A married aristocrat, land baron, and businessman with far‑reaching interests, he maintains a kept woman, Babette [Dany Robin], who also shares a complicated bond with his estranged son, Walter Leybourne, played by Benjamin Oakes / Walter Leybourne [David Hemmings]. This tangled personal web sets the stage for a public scheme that could rewrite the city’s social order.
Full summary
The whole story of The Best House in London, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Best House in London?
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
Which actor portrayed the aristocratic Sir Francis Leybourne?
The Best House in London Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Le Club des Libertins” and “Il club dei libertini”.
- Also known as
-
- Le Club des Libertins
- Il club dei libertini
- 架步春光
Seen The Best House in London?
Movies Like The Best House in London
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Best, London Suite and A House Is Not a Home.
The Best House in London FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Best House in London, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Best House in London?
The Best House in London runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was The Best House in London released?
The Best House in London was released in 1969.
Who directed The Best House in London?
The Best House in London was directed by Philip Saville.
More films by Philip Saville Who is in the cast of The Best House in London?
The Best House in London stars George Sanders as Sir Francis Leybourne, Dany Robin as Babette and David Hemmings as Benjamin Oakes / Walter Leybourne, among 34 credited actors.
Does The Best House in London have a post-credit scene?
No. The Best House in London has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
