The Duchess (2008): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Duchess is a 2008 biographical drama directed by Saul Dibb, starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Dominic Cooper. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $43.3 million worldwide. It won 1 Oscar, including Costume Design, and 2 awards in all. Critics gave it 62% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 50m (110 min)
- Director
- Saul Dibb
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Vantage
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Duchess About?
The premise of The Duchess without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This biographical drama portrays Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire, a prominent socialite and political figure who challenged societal norms. Known for her beauty, wit, and charm, she became a leader within the Whig Party, often overshadowing men of the aristocracy. However, her public image masks a personal struggle as she navigates a complex marriage and attempts to assert her independence while fulfilling her duties to her husband, the Duke, all within a backdrop of scandalous affairs that enthrall London society.
The Duchess Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- marital rape
- heir
- infidelity
- adultery
- rape
- arranged marriage
- marriage
- duchess
- chess
- 18th century
- duke
- gambling
+38 more Show fewer
- strong female lead
- manor house
- bath england
- public humiliation
- woman gambler
- menage a trois
- bastard daughter
- marital infidelity
- illegitimate daughter
- unfaithfulness
- extramarital affair
- castle
- card playing
- aristocracy
- love triangle
- lesbian subtext
- sex
- male heir
- loveless marriage
- flamboyance
- period drama
- costume drama
- 1770s
- 1780s
- female topless nudity
- friendship
- politician
- politics
- whig
- peer
- party
- dog
- political activist
- strong female character
- labor pains
- estate
- member of parliament
- migrating birds
The Duchess Cast
Keira Knightley leads the cast, with Ralph Fiennes and Dominic Cooper. Directed by Saul Dibb.
- Director Saul Dibb
More from Saul Dibb
More films directed by Saul Dibb, best-rated first: Journey's End, NW, Suite Française and Bullet Boy.
The Duchess Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Duchess 62% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
-
IMDb 6.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 62% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 67%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
The Duchess Plot Summary
What happens in The Duchess 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
The film delves into the complex life of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, an 18th-century aristocrat, navigating the intricate web of marriage, relationships, and desires. At just 17 years old, Georgiana (Keira Knightley) is ecstatic to attract the attention of the much older Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes), and she marries him amidst soaring familial expectations. However, her excitement is quickly stifled as she realizes her husband is a deeply reserved man, more interested in his beloved dogs than getting acquainted with her. He does little to ease her anxieties on their wedding night, fulfilling his duties with a grim sense of obligation and scant tenderness. He firmly establishes that her primary role is to produce a male heir soon.
Full summary
The whole story of The Duchess, scene by scene
The Duchess Box Office
The Duchess grossed $43.3 million worldwide. $13.8 million came from the US and Canada and $29.5 million (68%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$43.3M
- US & Canada
- $13.8M
- International
- $29.5M
The Duchess Awards & Nominations
The Duchess won 1 Oscar, including Costume Design, and 2 awards in all.
2 wins5 nominations3 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 2009 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Best Costume Design
- Nominated Best Makeup and Hair
-
Oscars 2009 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Costume Design
- Nominated Art Direction
-
Golden Globes 2009 1 nomination- Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture – Ralph Fiennes
The Duchess Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Duchess.
How Well Do You Know The Duchess?
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 Georgiana's full title in the movie?
The Duchess Also Known As
26 alternative titles, including “A hercegnő” and “La Duchessa”.
- Also known as
-
- A hercegnő
- La Duchessa
- La Duquesa
- Vevodkyne
- The
- Herttuatar
- 공작 부인: 세기의 스캔들
- La Duchesse
- Герцогиня
- Düşes
- Die Herzogin
- A Duquesa
+14 more Show fewer
- 公爵夫人
- Księżna
- Vévodkyně
- Vojvodkyňa
- Ducesa
- Η δούκισσα
- הדוכסית
- Херцогинята
- 浮華一世情
- 叛逆激情－她與戴安娜的命運
- ある公爵夫人の生涯
- Hercogienė, ჰერცოგის მეუღლე
- เดอะ ดัชเชส พิศวาส อำนาจ ความรัก
- La duquessa
Seen The Duchess?
Movies Like The Duchess
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Duchess of Buffalo, Lady Jane and Vanity Fair.
The Duchess FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Duchess, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Duchess?
The Duchess runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).
When was The Duchess released?
The Duchess was released on September 19, 2008.
Who directed The Duchess?
The Duchess was directed by Saul Dibb.
More films by Saul Dibb Who is in the cast of The Duchess?
The Duchess stars Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Dominic Cooper.
How much did The Duchess make at the box office?
The Duchess grossed $43.3 million worldwide ($13.8 million domestic, $29.5 million international).
How is The Duchess rated?
The Duchess has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
What awards did The Duchess win?
The Duchess won 2 awards from 5 nominations, including Best Costume Design at the BAFTA 2009.
Does The Duchess have a post-credit scene?
No. The Duchess has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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