Cause Célèbre (1987)
When the ailing husband of an adulterous wife is discovered bludgeoned to death and suspicions fall on the older woman's young lover, the newly widowed woman claims that it was she who was solely responsible for the death despite evidence that points to the contrary in this dramatic account of true-life 1935 trial that shocked all of England. Though notable evidence and strong suspicion suggests that the murder may have been of crime of passion perpetrated by the jealous lover only half her age, Alma Rattenbury (Helen Mirren) confesses to the murder of her husband and is soon brought to trial. Despite the fact that Alma is already being deemed guilty by the general public for her adulterous indiscretion alone, her lawyer, star attorney T.J. O'Connor (David Suchet), remains convinced that his client will eventually be cleared of all charges.
Director: John Gorrie
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Helen Mirren as Alma Rattenbury |
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Harry Andrews as Francis Rattenbury |
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David Suchet as T.J. O'Connor |
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David Morrissey as George Bowman |
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Norma West as Irene Riggs |
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Oliver Ford Davies as J.D. Casswell |
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Clive Swift as P.P. Croom Johnson |
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Geoffrey Bayldon as Mr. Justice Humphreys |
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Gillian Martell as Joan Webster |
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Edmund Pegge as Constable Bagwell |
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David Simeon as Inspector Carter |
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Neil Jeffery as Christopher |
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Joe Anderson as Little John |
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Adam Blackwood as Ewan Montagu |
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Alan Rowe as E. Marshall Harvey |
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Timothy Kightley as Lewis Manning |
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Wendy Williams as Edith Davenport |
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Paul Greenhalgh as Clerk of the Court |
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Robin Browne as Usher |
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Gordon Salkilld as Foreman of the Jury |
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Peter van Dissel as 1st Reporter |
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Gil Sutherland as 2nd Reporter |
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Harry Fielder as Policeman |
| Writing | Terence Rattigan | Writer |
| Sound | Richard Harvey | Music |
| Directing | John Gorrie | Director |
| Production | John Rosenberg | Producer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Prue Handley | Costume Design |
| Writing | Ken Taylor | Writer |
| Crew | Malcolm Harrison | Cinematography |
| Editing | Kevin Waters | Editor |
| Crew | Geraldine Stephenson | Choreographer |
| Lighting | Malcolm Harrison | Lighting Director |
| Lighting | Philip Burne | Lighting Artist |
| Camera | Trevor Vaisey | Director of Photography |
| Sound | John Havart | Sound |
| Production | Peter Durbidge | Unit Manager |
| Costume & Make-Up | Prue Handley | Costumer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Christine Penwarden | Makeup Artist |
| Production | Pat Jarvis | Casting |
| Art | Jon Pusey | Production Design |
