Charlotte Gray

"The story of an ordinary woman in an extraordinary time."

2001 2h 1m EN

😐

6.1

MID

★6.1TMDB · 193

DramaHistoryRomanceWar

Synopsis

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This is a drama set in Nazi-occupied France at the height of World War II. Charlotte Gray tells the compelling story of a young Scottish woman working with the French Resistance in the hope of rescuing her lover, a missing RAF pilot. Based on the best-selling novel by Sebastian Faulks.

“The story of an ordinary woman in an extraordinary time.”

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Cast

Cate Blanchett
Charlotte Gray
Billy Crudup
Julien Levade
Michael Gambon
Levade
Rupert Penry-Jones
Peter Gregory
Anton Lesser
Renech
James Fleet
Richard Cannerly
Abigail Cruttenden
Daisy
Charlotte McDougall
Sally

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Gillian Armstrong
Writers: Jeremy Brock
Languages: English
Countries: Australia, Germany, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

25 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: Australia, Germany, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Gillian Armstrong, shot by Dion Beebe. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Stephen Warbeck. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Nicholas Beauman shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Cate Blanchett and Billy Crudup and Michael Gambon carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "The story of an ordinary woman in an extraordinary time.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0245046 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Gillian Armstrong directs. Dion Beebe behind the camera. Stephen Warbeck scores. Nicholas Beauman cuts. Produced in Australia, Germany, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

125 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2International production across 3 countries: Australia, Germany, United Kingdom.
3Directed by Gillian Armstrong, shot by Dion Beebe. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Stephen Warbeck. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Nicholas Beauman shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Cate Blanchett and Billy Crudup and Michael Gambon carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "The story of an ordinary woman in an extraordinary time.".
8IMDB entry: tt0245046 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Dion Beebe
Original score: Stephen Warbeck
Editing: Nicholas Beauman
Production design: Joseph Bennett
Costume design: Janty Yates
Makeup / hair: Alison Elliott
Runtime: 121 min · 2h 1m
Status: Released
Box office: $741,394
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Charlotte Gray (2001)

Also by

Gillian Armstrong

Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Wuchak2025-11-27
★ 7/10
Cate Blanchett joins the French Resistance during WW2 Shot in 2001, this was based on Sebastian Faulks’ 1998 novel. Contrary to what some say, the titular character was not based on Nancy Wake's real-life exploits. The author has plainly stated this. Perhaps he was inspired a bit by the New Zealander's story to create the one he wanted to tell, but that's about it. As with practically any book-to-film adaptation, there are alterations as the exposition of the novel is jettisoned to fit the story into a 2-hour timeframe. The flick debuted seven months after “Pearl Harbor” and there are slight similarities in regards to the romantic dalliances. “Cold Mountain” came out two years later and, again, there are slight parallels. Bits of “Operation Daybreak” (1975) also come to mind, as well as “The Eagle Has Landed,” not to mention it shares the general milieu of Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds.” It's the least of these IMHO, mainly because the dramatics aren’t as compelling as they could be, but nevertheless it delivers the goods if you’re inclined toward a WW2 yarn that focuses on peripheral events rather than conventional battles. The sometimes awe-inspiring locations are authentic and the décor & costumes convincing; plus, there’s an exquisite sense of artistry in the cinematography. Armchair criticisms of the film are easily explained away. For instance, Roger Ebert complained that Charlotte's presence wasn't necessary to take down the train carrying German arms. Answer: The Resistance fighters would constantly need to train new people since so many of them were being betrayed and killed. He also objected to the German soldier not shooting the protesting Julien as they paraded into the city, but he forgot that that sequence occurred in the "free zone" of southern France in 1942, not the military-occupied northern part of the country. Sure, in the north Julien would've been shot on the spot, but in the south the collaborationist Vichy regime was still in control and German soldiers were instructed accordingly. I shouldn’t fail to mention that Michael Gambon has a key role and brings to mind Albert Finney in his old age. It was shot mostly in south-central France (Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val), but also Scotland (Glenfinnan Viaduct, Fort William) and the London area, including Pinewood Studios. GRADE: B/B-

Production companies