The Clandestine Marriage (1999): Cast & Plot
The Clandestine Marriage is a 1999 historical comedy directed by Christopher Miles, starring Timothy Spall as Sterling, Emma Chambers and Natasha Little. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Christopher Miles
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Clandestine Marriage About?
The premise of The Clandestine Marriage without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A period drama set in an English country estate where the family, eager to secure their fortunes, plots a marriage of convenience between their elder daughter and the penniless heir of an aristocratic lineage, forcing both parties to confront love, duty, and the constraints of their social world.
The Clandestine Marriage Themes & Keywords
· 34 tags- marriage
- dowry
- clerk
- 18th century
- watch
- watch timepiece
- clock
- waterfall
- elopement
- wig
- jealousy
- sibling rivalry
+22 more Show fewer
- valet
- upstairs downstairs
- society
- social status
- social satire
- secret marriage
- restoration
- prison
- nouveau riche
- maid
- landowner
- interracial relationship
- graft
- father son relationship
- father daughter relationship
- debt
- debtor's prison
- period piece
- sister sister relationship
- aristocrat
- based on play
- independent film
The Clandestine Marriage Cast & Characters
Timothy Spall leads the cast as Sterling, with Emma Chambers as Betsy and Natasha Little as Fanny. Directed by Christopher Miles; 15 actors are credited in all.
- Director Christopher Miles
-
Timothy Spall as Sterling - Emma Chambers as Betsy
- Natasha Little as Fanny
- Paul Nicholls as Richard Lovewell
Also Starring in The Clandestine Marriage
· 11 more- Tom Hollander Sir John Ogelby
- Nigel Hawthorne Lord Ogleby
- Ray Fearon Brush
- Joan Collins Mrs. Heidelberg
- Timothy Bateson Gaoler
- Cyril Shaps Canton
- Roger Hammond Traverse
- Mark Burns Capstick
- Hugh Lloyd Reverend Parker
- Jenny Galloway Mrs Trusty
- Cavan Kendall Sergeant Flower
More from Christopher Miles
More films directed by Christopher Miles: Priest of Love, Alternative 3, The Maids and A Time for Loving.
The Clandestine Marriage Plot Summary
What happens in The Clandestine Marriage from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Mr. Sterling, Timothy Spall, is incredibly wealthy, but to his dismay not an aristocrat. He believes his social status will rise if he marries off his daughter Betsy, Emma Chambers, to an aristocrat. Unknown to him, however, his other daughter Fanny, Natasha Little, has already secretly married her father’s clerk Richard Lovewell, Paul Nicholls. To complicate matters, Sir John Ogleby, Tom Hollander, is presented as a candidate to marry Betsy, and he and his father Lord Ogleby, Nigel Hawthorne, visit Mr. Sterling to make up the contract. Secretly, however, Lord Ogleby is impoverished and needs this marriage to provide his family with new wealth.
Full summary
The whole story of The Clandestine Marriage, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Clandestine Marriage?
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
Why does Mr. Sterling want his daughter Betsy to marry an aristocrat?
Seen The Clandestine Marriage?
Movies Like The Clandestine Marriage
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Courtship, Strictly Unconventional and The Secret.
The Clandestine Marriage FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Clandestine Marriage, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Clandestine Marriage?
The Clandestine Marriage runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was The Clandestine Marriage released?
The Clandestine Marriage was released on November 12, 1999.
Who directed The Clandestine Marriage?
The Clandestine Marriage was directed by Christopher Miles.
More films by Christopher Miles Who is in the cast of The Clandestine Marriage?
The Clandestine Marriage stars Timothy Spall as Sterling, Emma Chambers as Betsy and Natasha Little as Fanny, among 15 credited actors.
Does The Clandestine Marriage have a post-credit scene?
No. The Clandestine Marriage 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
