The Go-Between (1971)

Cast

Jim Broadbent
as Spectator at Cricket Match
Julie Christie
as Marian - Lady Trimingham
Michael Gough
as Mr. Maudsley
Roger Lloyd Pack
as Charles

Get more information about The Go-Between (1971) on IMDb

Genres & Description

Drama Romance

7.4 / 10

Summer 1900: Queen Victoria's last and the summer Leo turns 13. He's the guest of Marcus, a wealthy classmate, at a grand home in rural Norfolk. Leo is befriended by Marian, Marcus's twenty-something sister, a beauty about to be engaged to Hugh, a viscount and good fellow. Marian buys Leo a forest-green suit, takes him on walks, and asks him to carry messages to and from their neighbor, Ted Burgess, a bit of a rake. Leo is soon dissembling, realizes he's betraying Hugh, but continues as the go-between nonetheless, asking adults naive questions about the attractions of men and women. Can an affair between neighbors stay secret for long? And how does innocence end?

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Comments on this trailer
Comments may include spoiler!

Rafiqa Darr

And Margaret Leighton was stunning - I always wished I looked like her, tall and slim with high cheekbones and long eyelashes, a beautiful woman. She was not old when she died, she had multiple sclerosis. - @Saturday, June 30, 2018 1:51 PM

Rafiqa Darr

When Leo runs outside to take Marian's note to Ted Burgess, he (Leo) believed himself to be a man for all seasons, a man of the 20th Century, but it was not to be. The climactic end to this film (the novel) devastated him and left him scarred emotionally for the rest of his days. This film is indeed one of the greatest films ever made, as someone else said on here, gorgeous cinematography, and wonderful actors. It is very reminiscent of its time of the films that were made in the 1970's. A shame they don't make such wonderful films anymore. I don't think it was a Hollywood budget (and all that rubbish), it was filmed in Norfolk (Melton Constable). Dominic Guard's finest acting performance, as a child actor. - @Saturday, June 30, 2018 1:31 PM

Sylvie Bonzon

jolie musique quel plaisir à écouter! - @Saturday, November 4, 2017 10:21 AM

mockos

Highly Recommended CD for those who love this music: LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG SYMPHONIC SUITE https://www.amazon.com/PARAPLUIES-CHERBOURG-SYMPHONIC-SUITE/dp/B0011EUJ9G SideA: Les Parapluies De Cherbourg SideB: Go Between -- theme and variations for two pianos & orchestra It's not the original sound track, but you can enjoy variations of "The Go Between" theme (Side B). - @Friday, January 20, 2017 11:50 AM

Carlos Canet

mi novia - @Tuesday, September 13, 2016 6:52 PM

Cameron Hood

Neo-Baroque, so it sounds like Bach, but no actual Bach was harmed in the making of this film. - @Wednesday, February 25, 2015 7:45 PM

Jesusandbible

Was any Bach used in this film? I heard a short sequence that reminded me of a tune I wanted to get for years, or did Legrand compose it all? - @Saturday, February 21, 2015 4:45 PM

Myrn Yocom

SEEN THIS MOVIE ON TV TONIGHT - 9-15-14 - GREAT PERFORMANCE! - @Tuesday, September 16, 2014 5:36 AM

Alishba Ali

Does anybody know who plays Marian's grandson in this movie? I'd really appreciate it if you could tell me. :) - @Thursday, June 26, 2014 6:18 AM

thecharliepremier

Magnifique ! il existe une partition quelque part ? - @Friday, April 11, 2014 12:14 AM

Simonscar

So much about the mysterious, surreal English character in this film- the sorrow & the hurt which recalls Tom Brown's Schooldays. Legrand's score incorporates this with such detail! - @Sunday, July 28, 2013 1:40 AM

surabayajonny

Great clip from a great film. Thinking about the first time I saw the film (1975, I think) I am haunted by the past. Just like Leo. - @Thursday, March 14, 2013 12:34 AM

Carla Martin

Loved the music both my younger brother and I as soon as my dear late father took us both to see! - @Wednesday, September 26, 2012 3:44 AM

Gerard Carter

A magnificent film and music !!! - @Thursday, April 12, 2012 10:55 AM

ssoo mee

i have the film on dvd (i scouted ebay for that) but now i want the soundtrack, which seems impossible to find. can anyone help? or give advice? thanks! - @Saturday, February 4, 2012 1:00 AM

LeoInterHyenaem

This piece is, apparently, hugely J.S. Bach-inspired. - @Friday, September 23, 2011 1:49 AM

markjosephcharles

I agree with so many of the comments. A rare and wonderful film that perfectly expresses the spirit of the book but is definitely a work of art in itself. Everything about it is perfect, the script (Harold Pinter I think), direction, cinematography and of course the music. All the cast are outstanding. RIP MIchael Gough. - @Wednesday, March 23, 2011 9:25 PM

coralarch

A rare and wonderful cinematic experience- gorgeous cinematography, hauntng music, engrossing story and top actors. - @Sunday, January 16, 2011 8:03 AM

lighthousecollector

This is my all time favourite film -every time i watch it I notice something new -Dominic Guard was fantastic.Certainly shows how experiences of youth scar you for life. - @Tuesday, October 19, 2010 10:07 AM

JeDorsBeaucoupTrop

Great, romantic and deep movie with a particular and strange atmosphere. - @Monday, September 27, 2010 8:27 PM

Ann Edwards

@KellyGreen5555 Leo doesn't read the whole note, just the part that says, "Darling, darling, darling". But it's enough for him to know that Marian and Ted are in love. He has a boyish crush on her himself so he's jealous and also he senses that Marian should not be having a relationship with a farmer. They both told him their messages were about "business" so he feels lied to and betrayed now that he knows better. - @Friday, May 28, 2010 8:41 PM

creolelady182

One of the best films ever made. Dominic guard and I are the same age and I remember when I saw this movie back in 1970.Then I saw him again on a Poirot as a man and I asked myself -what happened to Leo during all of that time.? - @Friday, May 21, 2010 1:01 AM

KellyGreen5555

What did the note say? - @Tuesday, May 18, 2010 11:48 PM

Ann Edwards

@FredricEric Definitely. Not forgetting Margaret Leighton or Edward Fox. Both were wonderful in their parts, she so frightening and he so gallant. - @Friday, May 14, 2010 3:00 AM

FredricEric

@mpwb And not forgetting Margaret Leighton! - @Sunday, May 9, 2010 11:40 AM

emma peelfan

I was a 15 year old usherette when the movie was screening back in '72. Saw it many, many times, and still not sick of it. Pity the music was never released on album. Alan Bates and Julie Christie brilliant as usual, and so too Dominic Guard. - @Saturday, April 17, 2010 10:45 AM

FredricEric

That summer changed his life forever. - @Friday, February 19, 2010 6:20 AM

ssoo mee

I have yet to see this film, but anything Michel Legrand composes is just such a pleasure to hear in any film! Does anyone know where I can purchase this soundtrack or even the name of this piece playing (I seem to be having trouble finding it anywhere or maybe I'm not being clever enough..) I would really appreciate it! - @Saturday, February 13, 2010 3:43 PM

MsSarjen

Dominic Guard was wonderful in this film. - @Wednesday, February 10, 2010 2:56 PM

GayGeisha

I know exactly what you mean - I mean the soundtrack in this is so beautiful. I must have watched the climax a million times, the music is to die for! - @Saturday, January 2, 2010 12:44 PM

GayGeisha

Amen to that - @Saturday, January 2, 2010 12:42 PM

kybeyan

Yes, more 'musical' clips please Seth (the picnic, the river, the scene with Mrs Maudsley at the end)- it's the only way I can get the original soundtrack onto CD as the later recording by Legrand is not nearly as good. And I'm too dumb to work out how to make the clips myself. I have the DVD...and the vinyl...and the book...but no CD! - @Tuesday, November 17, 2009 5:26 AM

FredricEric

Could someone provide us with the climax clip, that is the scene with Leo's birthday tea and what happens thereafter? Margaret Leighton is really great in that scene. - @Thursday, October 22, 2009 3:52 PM

FredricEric

Grrreen, grreen, grrrreen, because you're green... That's your true colour. - @Monday, October 19, 2009 7:30 AM

Gareth Thomas

Its a French/Bach cultural thing. Jaques Loosier, Chopin who was half French, Saint Saens. There's just this Bach thing inherent in French culture. I can't explain more lucidly but its beautiful. - @Monday, October 12, 2009 11:41 AM

Samuel Molina

cast a spell Leo, cast a spell! - @Wednesday, September 23, 2009 5:39 PM

Ann Edwards

>"you can see references to 'What Maisie Knew'" Yes. How I wish someone could overcome the difficulties in filming such an "interior" novel. It's a wonderful, heartbreaking story. - @Friday, July 10, 2009 10:25 PM

GayGeisha

In 'Atonement' McEwan used intertextuality, which is when a text is heavily influenced by other forms of literature. As well as 'The Go Between', you can see references to 'What Maisie Knew', 'A Passage to India', 'Lady Chatterleys Lover', 'To The Lighthouse', 'Lolita' and countless others. - @Sunday, May 24, 2009 9:27 AM

Ann Edwards

A perfect film in every way. - @Friday, May 1, 2009 8:02 PM

Carlos Libório

Espetacular, Magnífico, Bravo Michel Legrand gênio como Sebastian bach - @Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:08 AM

Carlos Libório

Um dos mais belos filmes que já assisti, explendida a trilha sonora de MicchelLegrand, Magnífica fuga tão bela quanto as de Bach. - @Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:06 AM

sensemaya1

God bless indeed. Now can we have the opening theme " The messenger"? Been after the sheet music for years. There are no recordings of it either. - @Thursday, February 12, 2009 9:08 PM

yuehchopin

schön zu hören - @Saturday, December 20, 2008 11:39 PM

Fred Lark Brown

M.Legrand is a genious - @Sunday, November 30, 2008 10:24 PM

Asdrubal Cofrade

Magnific theme.One of the best soundtrack of Legrand - @Wednesday, November 19, 2008 11:33 PM