What Is The Rainbow About?
The premise of The Rainbow in 286 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the waning days of the Victorian era, the mist‑cloaked hills of Nottinghamshire’s mining country cradle a world where tradition and the restless stirrings of a new century collide. The landscape is a tapestry of soot‑blackened valleys, soot‑bright villages, and the occasional burst of sunlight that paints the sky with promise. A quiet, lyrical tone pervades, a blend of pastoral calm and an undercurrent of change that feels both intimate and universal.
At the heart of this world stands Ursula Brangwen, the bright‑eyed eldest child of a prosperous Derbyshire squire, Will Brangwen, and his wife, Anna Brangwen. From a tender age, Ursula is enchanted by the fleeting arc of a rainbow, a symbol that becomes a private compass guiding her curiosity and yearning. Her family’s affluence offers comfort, yet the surrounding mining community and the ever‑present horizon of rain‑kissed fields stir within her a desire to reach beyond the familiar walls of the family estate.
As Ursula blossoms into adolescence, she begins to feel the pull of relationships that challenge the expectations of her upbringing. Friendships and tender attractions emerge, hinting at both quiet, unspoken understandings and more overt, socially daring connections. The film paints these early romances as part of her inner landscape, a mirror to the colorful spectrum she has chased since childhood, and as catalysts that push her toward self‑discovery.
Through a richly textured period setting and a contemplative, almost poetic style, the story follows Ursula’s journey from a wide‑eyed teenager to a woman poised on the brink of her own path. The ever‑present motif of the rainbow offers both a visual and thematic thread, suggesting that hope, possibility, and the quest for personal fulfillment are the true colors that shape her life.
What Happens in The Rainbow?
The complete story of The Rainbow, from the first scene to the last, in 517 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Set in the final years of England’s Victorian era, Ursula Brangwen, Imogen Stubbs, is the eldest child of wealthy Derbyshire farmer Will Brangwen, Colin Tarrant, and his wife Anna Brangwen, Jane Gurnett. From the age of three, Ursula has been fascinated by rainbows, and after a rainstorm she runs off with a suitcase, hoping to look for the pot of gold at the end of it. To ease her imagination, her father crafts a rainbow on a jam sandwich, using several spreads of different flavors to mirror the spectrum she loves.
During her teenage years, Ursula enters a same-sex romance with her older swimming and gym teacher Winifred Inger, Kate Buffery, while at the same time developing feelings for Anton Skrebensky, Martin Wenner, a student at the nearby boys’ high school who plans to enlist in the Army after graduation. Ursula and Winifred spend romantic weekends together at Winifred’s house and hike in the surrounding hills. Winifred then introduces Ursula to an artist friend who encourages her to model in the nude for his paintings, but she is thrown out after she refuses his advances and demands fair pay.
One weekend Ursula brings along Winifred as her chaperone to visit her father’s wealthy older brother, Uncle Henry, who is taken with Winifred and proposes marriage. Winifred accepts, which stirs jealousy in Ursula.
Feeling abandoned after Winifred marries Uncle Henry, and with Anton away fighting in the Second Boer War in South Africa, Ursula decides to restart her life by becoming a schoolteacher. After finishing high school, Ursula moves to London to teach at a poor elementary school in the East End, where she is confronted by a lack of discipline and hygiene among the children and the lecherous headmaster who pressures her. She initially resists a harsher regime of punishment, but after being provoked by a belligerent boy who pelts her with stones, she finally loses her temper and cane him in full view of the class and staff. The moment quiets the class and stops the headmaster’s advances, yet Ursula is left guilt-ridden and ultimately resigns at the end of the school year.
Back at the family farm a year and a half later, Ursula is reunited with Anton, who has returned from war, and she shares a casual reunion with Winifred, who is now married with a baby. Ursula then decides to rekindle her romance with Anton, while also volunteering with a local miners’ union to help unprivileged workers secure better wages and safeguards. When she fears she might be pregnant, Anton proposes marriage, but she declines, choosing to chart her own path in life.
Not pregnant after all, Anton leaves her for good, marrying another woman and moving to India. A heartfelt talk with her father about life and its various paths leads Ursula to start over by taking another teaching position in a town about two hours away. In the final scene, Ursula packs a suitcase and runs from her house to chase another rainbow that appears after a storm, a vivid symbol of the hope and possibility she has chased since childhood.
The Rainbow Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Ursula's rainbow obsession begins” to “Final rainbow chase”. 13 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Ursula's rainbow obsession begins
Ursula's childhood on the Derbyshire family farm is defined by a stubborn fascination with rainbows. After a rainstorm she runs off with a suitcase, hoping to find a pot of gold at the rainbow's end. Her father Will tries to calm her wonder with a jam sandwich made of several spreads, a simple gesture to ease her extravagant fantasy.
When:Childhood, late Victorian era Where:Derbyshire family farm
- 2
First romance and a forbidden modeling offer
During her teens, Ursula falls into a same-sex romance with her teacher Winifred Inger. They share romantic weekends at Winifred's house and wander the hills together. Winifred introduces Ursula to an artist friend who urges her to model nude for paintings; Ursula refuses, and is thrown out while demanding to be paid for her time.
When:Late 1890s Where:Winifred's house and the artist's studio
- 3
Winifred's marriage and Ursula's jealousy
Winifred later accepts a proposal from Uncle Henry and marries him, a turn that sparks jealousy in Ursula. The marriage also signals a life path from which Ursula may be excluded.
When:Late 1890s Where:Uncle Henry's estate
- 4
London teaching tenure and the classroom outburst
After finishing high school, Ursula moves to London to teach in a poor East End elementary school. She is appalled by the students' neglect and by the lecherous headmaster who resorts to physical discipline. When a belligerent boy pelts her with stones and she finally uses a cane in front of the class, the moment quiets the room but leaves her wracked with guilt, leading her to quit at the end of the year.
When:Early 1900s Where:East End elementary school, London
- 5
Return to Derbyshire and rekindled romance
One and a half years later, Ursula returns to the Derbyshire farm in the spring of 1901 and is reunited with Anton Skrebensky, who has come back from war and longs to rekindle their romance.
When:Spring 1901 Where:Derbyshire farm
- 6
Winifred's new life and the divergent paths
During a brief visit Ursula also encounters Winifred, who is now married to Uncle Henry and has a baby. The encounter highlights the divergent paths their lives have taken.
When:1901 Where:Winifred's home
- 7
Romance rekindled and pregnancy question
Ursula and Anton resume their relationship, and the possibility of pregnancy looms in the air. Anton proposes marriage, but Ursula declines, choosing to pursue her own path rather than a conventional union.
When:1901 Where:Derbyshire farm
- 8
Anton goes to war
Anton leaves to fight in the Second Boer War in South Africa, leaving Ursula behind to navigate life on the home front.
When:Second Boer War era (1899-1902) Where:South Africa (Boer War)
- 9
Anton's marriage and departure for India
Back home, Ursula receives a telegram from Anton announcing that he has married another woman and has left for India. The news marks a painful turning point and reinforces her resolve to steer her own course.
When:After Boer War, early 1900s Where:Derbyshire
- 10
Attack in the forest
Two mine workers attack her as she walks home, attempting to rape her. She escapes and hides in a rain-soaked forest before making it back to the farm, shaken but alive. The assault becomes a brutal turning point that colors her outlook on safety and resilience.
When:Early 1900s Where:Rain-soaked forest near the farm
Show the other 3 events of The Rainbow Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Heartfelt talk with her father
After the assault, Ursula has a heartfelt talk with her father about life and the paths open to her. The conversation strengthens her resolve to start anew and seek independence.
When:Late 1901 Where:Family farm
- 12
A new teaching post
She decides to take another teaching post in a town two hours away, planning to begin again on her own terms. With a suitcase in hand, she prepares to leave her family home and build a life apart from the farm.
When:Early 1900s Where:A town two hours away
- 13
Final rainbow chase
In the final scene, Ursula packs and runs out of the house as a large rainbow appears after a storm. She chases the rainbow across the countryside, a symbol that life still offers new possibilities and direction.
When:Final scene Where:Family home to countryside
Who Are the Main Characters in The Rainbow?
10 characters, among them Ursula Brangwen — Imogen Stubbs, Gudrun Brangwen — Clare Holman and Old Tom Brangwen — Tom Bell: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- UB
Ursula Brangwen — Imogen Stubbs
Played by Imogen Stubbs
The eldest Brangwen daughter, Ursula is curious, headstrong, and wary of conventional expectations. Her romantic awakenings and evolving ambitions drive the plot as she seeks a path of her own choosing. The character embodies the tension between tradition and personal autonomy.
- 🧭 Free Spirit
- 🎓 Education Seeker
- 💘 Romantic and Defiant
- GB
Gudrun Brangwen — Clare Holman
Played by Clare Holman
Ursula's sister and fellow voice within the Brangwen family, Gudrun represents an alternative current of thought and emotion. She participates in the family dynamic and the broader exploration of personal freedom. Her stance adds depth to the sisters' shared journey.
- 🎭 Independent Thinker
- ✨ Creative Spirit
- OT
Old Tom Brangwen — Tom Bell
Played by Tom Bell
A matriarchal elder in the Brangwen line, Old Tom embodies rural traditions and the weight of family legacy. His presence anchors the generations and the values that confront Ursula's evolving desires. He serves as a reminder of the slower pace of country life.
- 🧓 Traditionalist
- 🐖 Family Patriarch
- WB
Will Brangwen — Colin Tarrant
Played by Colin Tarrant
A wealthy Derbyshire farmer and Ursula's father, Will stands for stability, order, and the expectations of landowning caste. His protective stance clashes with Ursula's drive toward independence. He represents the pull of conventional success and duty.
- 👨🌾 Rural Patriarch
- 🗺️ Stability Seeker
- AB
Anna Brangwen — Jane Gurnett
Played by Jane Gurnett
Ursula and Gudrun's mother, Anna embodies the domestic sphere and the quieter strength of the family unit. She supports her children's growth while upholding traditional family roles. Her presence frames the emotional landscape of the household.
- 👩👦👦 Matriarchal Anchor
- 🪪 Family Nurturer
- WI
Winifred Inger — Kate Buffery
Played by Kate Buffery
Winifred is Ursula's teenage love and a teacher who influences her early adult life. Their relationship illustrates the complexities of queer desire within the limits of the era. Winifred's choices—eventually marrying another—also highlight themes of companionship and societal expectation.
- 🏫 Teacher
- 💞 Forbidden Romance
- AS
Anton Skrebensky — Martin Wenner
Played by Martin Wenner
A student who plans to enlist and later serves abroad, Anton becomes Ursula's other key romantic arc. His return from war and eventual marriage abroad reflect the imperial currents influencing personal lives. He embodies the pull between love and duty to nation and career.
- 🎖 Soldier
- 🧭 Romantic Conflict
- CP
Catherine Phillips — Sarah Crowden
Played by Sarah Crowden
A supporting figure in Ursula's social world, Catherine appears within the circle of relationships and community that shape the heroine's experiences. Her presence contributes to the social tapestry of Ursula's era. She acts as a mirror and counterpoint to Ursula's choices.
- 👥 Social Circle
- 🗨️ Observant Ally
- M—
Margaret — Emma Chambers
Played by Emma Chambers
Margaret is a member of the Brangwen circle whose role adds texture to family and community life. Her presence underscores the intergenerational dynamics of the household and rural life. She helps illustrate the broad social network surrounding Ursula.
- 👧 Supporting Character
- 🏷️ Family Link
- TB
Theresa Brangwen — Suzy Roper
Played by Suzy Roper
Theresa is part of the Brangwen family tapestry, contributing to the portrayal of a sprawling rural household. Her interactions with Ursula and other family members help establish the evolving dynamics across generations. She represents the extended family milieu of late Victorian England.
- 👪 Family Subplot
- 🧭 Relational Connector
Where and When Is The Rainbow Set?
The Rainbow is set in Derbyshire countryside, London East End, South Africa (Boer War) and India (Late Victorian era to early 20th century). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Late Victorian era to early 20th century
The narrative unfolds from the 1890s through 1901, tracing the tail end of Queen Victoria's reign and the social changes of the era. It involves the Second Boer War period and its impact on relationships and life plans. The timeline anchors Ursula's coming-of-age within a world of imperial ambition and rising urban reform.
Where
Derbyshire countryside, London East End, South Africa (Boer War), India
Set in late Victorian England, the story follows Ursula in a rural Derbyshire farming community before moving to urban London and later to colonial settings. The film shifts between the bucolic Brangwen farm and crowded schoolrooms, capturing the contrasts of rural wealth and urban hardship. It also threads through the empire, with military campaigns in South Africa and a posting in India shaping the characters' destinies.
- 🏞️ Derbyshire countryside
- 🏙️ London East End
- ⚒️ Mining towns and industrial
- 🗺️ Empire and colonies
What Are the Themes of The Rainbow?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Self-Discovery, Love and Society and Poverty and Class.
-
01
Self-Discovery
Ursula's journey is driven by a deep need to define her own path beyond family expectations. The story follows her from childlike wonder to determined independence, testing boundaries of romance, work, and personal choice. This theme foregrounds the struggle to balance inner desires with societal norms.
-
02
Love and Society
Ursula's romances—with Winifred and Anton—reveal how desire clashes with gender roles and social propriety. Envy, loyalty, and the pull of marriage shape relationships and communities. The narrative uses intimate bonds to critique Victorian constraints on women's autonomy.
-
03
Poverty and Class
Ursula's teaching stint in the East End exposes harsh living conditions, illiteracy, and child labor. The rural wealth of Derbyshire contrasts with urban deprivation, underscoring class tensions. Her involvement with labor reform hints at broader social change and solidarity across class lines.
-
04
Violence and Consequence
A pivotal outburst in the schoolroom forces Ursula to confront the ethics of force and authority. Guilt and consequences reshape her choices and relationships. The moment interrogates how anger and power intersect with personal duty and reform.
What Kind of Film Is The Rainbow?
Melancholic in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A somber and emotionally charged period drama that follows a passionate young woman's journey through unconventional love, societal constraints, and personal disappointments, culminating in a bittersweet but resilient new beginning.
- melancholic
- passionate
- oppressive
- reflective
- yearning
- somber
- coming of age
- sexual awakening
- unconventional romance
- social class divisions
Content notes: sexual assault, sexual harassment, child punishment, attempted rape.
