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Vera Drake 2004

In 1950s England, Vera Drake appears to be a kind and loving wife and mother. However, she harbors a secret: she provides a discreet and supportive service for women unable to access legal abortions. When her clandestine activities are threatened with exposure, Vera's quiet existence is shattered, forcing her family and community to confront difficult moral questions and examine the complexities of love and compassion in a restrictive era.

In 1950s England, Vera Drake appears to be a kind and loving wife and mother. However, she harbors a secret: she provides a discreet and supportive service for women unable to access legal abortions. When her clandestine activities are threatened with exposure, Vera's quiet existence is shattered, forcing her family and community to confront difficult moral questions and examine the complexities of love and compassion in a restrictive era.

Does Vera Drake have end credit scenes?

No!

Vera Drake does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Vera Drake

Explore the complete cast of Vera Drake, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Vera Drake

See how Vera Drake is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Vera Drake stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

83

Metascore

6.8

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

IMDb

7.6 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

72

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Vera Drake Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Vera Drake with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Vera Drake Quiz: Test your knowledge on the poignant story of Vera Drake and her impact in a challenging era.

Who plays the role of Vera Drake?

Awards & Nominations for Vera Drake

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Vera Drake, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Vera Drake and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


77th Academy Awards 2005

Imelda Staunton
Nomination

Actress in a Leading Role

Imelda Staunton
Mike Leigh
Nomination

Directing

Mike Leigh
Nomination

Writing (Original Screenplay)

58th British Academy Film Awards 2005

Nomination

Best Film

Mike Leigh
Win

Best Direction

Mike Leigh
Imelda Staunton
Win

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Imelda Staunton
Phil Davis
Nomination

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Phil Davis
Nomination

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Heather Craney
Nomination

Best Original Screenplay

Win

Best Costume Design

Nomination

Best Editing

Nomination

Best Makeup and Hair

Nomination

Best Production Design

Nomination

Outstanding British Film

10th Critics' Choice Awards 2005

Imelda Staunton
Nomination

Best Actress

Imelda Staunton

11th Screen Actors Guild Awards 2005

Imelda Staunton
Nomination

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

Imelda Staunton

62nd Golden Globe Awards 2005

Imelda Staunton
Nomination

Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actress)

Imelda Staunton

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Vera Drake

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Read the complete plot summary of Vera Drake, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Vera Drake, portrayed by Imelda Staunton, is a woman whose life revolves around her family. She dedicates herself to caring for her husband, children, elderly mother, and even a sick neighbor. Vera’s daughter, Ethel (Alex Kelly), toils away in a factory, while her son, Sid (Daniel Mays), is busy tailoring men’s suits. Her husband, Stanley (Phil Davis), earns a living as a car mechanic. Despite their modest lifestyle, the strength of their family ties keeps them united and resilient.

In addition to being a house cleaner, what remains hidden from her loved ones is Vera’s clandestine role as a backroom abortionist. Driven by compassion rather than profit, she does not accept payment for her services, believing it to be an altruistic act. However, her partner, Lily (Ruth Sheen), a savvy businesswoman involved in the black market, profits from the arrangements without Vera’s awareness.

As the narrative unfolds, we are also introduced to Susan (Sally Hawkins), one of Vera’s employer’s daughters, whose plight becomes a poignant subplot. After being raped by a boyfriend, Susan finds herself pregnant and seeks assistance from a friend to find a doctor who performs abortions. In a rather disturbing twist, a psychiatrist manipulates her responses, ensuring he can recommend the procedure by suggesting she might be in such despair that she could harm herself.

While the financial amounts discussed in the film may appear negligible today, it is crucial to note that two guineas in 1950 would equate to an impressive £48 in 2005, and a hundred guineas—required for a psychiatrist-sanctioned abortion—would reach a staggering £2400. This stark contrast highlights the economic context of the story and the struggles faced by its characters.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Vera Drake

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Vera Drake. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Vera Drake

Mike Leigh and Phil Davis on Vera Drake | BFI Q&A

Cars Featured in Vera Drake

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Explore all cars featured in Vera Drake, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Bedford

1946

M-Type

Ford

1932

Eight

Jowett

1951

Javelin

MG

1955

TF

Morris

1936

18

Wolseley

1936

14/56

Vera Drake Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


rapeabortionpregnancyunwanted pregnancypantiesunfaithfulnessunderwearpubadulteryinjusticedouble standardbirth controlillegal abortionabortionistfemale protagonistnylon stockingscharacter name as titlebotched abortionperiod drama1950sneighbormiscarriagetailorpoliceenglandf ratedwomen's prisoncriminal triallondon englandbail hearingfingerprintingbrassiereblack marketcinemacontrabandassembly linewheelchairwedding ringwealthwatching a movievirgintragic eventtheater audiencetelephone callteatearstalking to selfsyringesurgical operationsurgery

Vera Drake Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Vera Drake across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


베라 드레이크 Το μυστικό της Βέρα Ντρέικ El secreto de Vera Drake Il segreto di Vera Drake וירה דרייק Hemşire O Segredo de Vera Drake Вера Дрейк Vera Drake – Žena dvou tváří ヴェラ・ドレイク 维拉·德雷克 Вера Дрэйк Το Μυστικό της Vera Drake

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Other Names for Vera Drake

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for Vera Drake. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


베라 드레이크 Το μυστικό της Βέρα Ντρέικ El secreto de Vera Drake Il segreto di Vera Drake וירה דרייק Hemşire O Segredo de Vera Drake Вера Дрейк Vera Drake – Žena dvou tváří ヴェラ・ドレイク 维拉·德雷克 Вера Дрэйк Το Μυστικό της Vera Drake

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