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Adventure Cult Classic

Swashbuckling scandal erupts as a bored noblewoman trades her vows for a mask and pistol.

THE WICKED LADY

She seduced, robbed and murdered...That was on her good days.

1983 · 1h 38m · R · Adventure / Drama · IMDB TMDB

Caroline is to be wed to Sir Ralph and invites her sister Barbara to be her bridesmaid. Barbara seduces Ralph, however, and she becomes the new Lady, but despite her new wealthy situation, she gets bored and turns to highway robbery for thrills. While on the road she meets a famous highwayman, and they continue as a team, but some people begin suspecting her identity, and she risks death if she continues her nefarious activities.

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Quick Answer

What is The Wicked Lady about?

The Wicked Lady is a 1983 United Kingdom adventure drama film directed by Michael Winner about a noblewoman who, bored with her privileged life, turns to highway robbery for excitement.

Programmer's Pick

Faye Dunaway’s Lady Barbara never met a boundary she couldn’t cross—or a bodice she couldn’t loosen. With masked escapades, sibling betrayal, and more corset-ripping than your average period drama, this one’s as wicked as its title promises.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in the 17th century English countryside, The Wicked Lady follows the scheming Barbara, who attends her sister Caroline’s wedding as a bridesmaid only to seduce the groom, Sir Ralph, and claim the position of Lady herself. Yet marital luxury quickly loses its luster, and Barbara seeks new thrills by donning a mask and taking to the roads as a highway robber. Her partnership with the notorious Jerry Jackson only deepens her descent into lawlessness. As rumors swirl and suspicions rise, Barbara’s double life grows increasingly perilous, threatening both her newfound status and her life. This film revels in period decadence, betrayal, and the dangers of living on the edge.

Details & Specs

Director
Michael Winner
Writers
Michael Winner, Magdalen King-Hall, Leslie Arliss
Release
1983
Runtime
1h 38m
Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
Genres
Adventure, Drama
Also Known As
La dama perversa

Why This Matters

This remake of the 1945 Gainsborough melodrama features an international cast and was screened out of competition at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival, highlighting its connection to both classic British cinema and contemporary festival circuits.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Michael Winner Writers: Michael Winner +2 more
Faye Dunaway Faye Dunaway Lady Barbara Skelton Alan Bates Alan Bates Captain Jerry Jackson John Gielgud John Gielgud Hogarth Denholm Elliott Denholm Elliott Sir Ralph Skelton Prunella Scales Prunella Scales Lady Kingsclere Oliver Tobias Oliver Tobias Kit Locksby Glynis Barber Glynis Barber Caroline Joan Hickson Joan Hickson Aunt Agatha HM Helena McCarthy Moll Skelton Mollie Maureen Mollie Maureen Doll Skelton Derek Francis Derek Francis Lord Kingsclere Marina Sirtis Marina Sirtis Jackson's Girl Nicholas Gecks Nicholas Gecks Ned Cotterell Hugh Millais Hugh Millais Uncle Martin GJ Guinevere John Landlady at Inn John Savident John Savident Squire Thornton Dermot Walsh Dermot Walsh John Marwood MS Marc Sinden Lord Dolman Glynis Brooks Glynis Brooks Ned’s Wife Mark Burns Mark Burns King Charles II TC Teresa Codling Nell Gwynne David Gant David Gant Clergyman in Church Ewen Solon Ewen Solon Clergyman at Tyburn Roger Brierley Roger Brierley Clergyman at Tyburn Arthur Whybrow Arthur Whybrow Storyteller at Tyburn TM Tony Martin Vendor at Tyburn JP John Pierce Jones Ringleader at Tyburn Robert Putt Robert Putt Man at Tyburn TM Terence Mountain Law Officer CC Cyril Conway Doctor MM Malcolm Mudie Courtier Celia Imrie Celia Imrie Servant at Inn Ellen Pollock Ellen Pollock Mrs. Munce Marianne Stone Marianne Stone Customer in Shop Catherine Neilson Catherine Neilson Customer in Shop FM Fiona McArthur Bridesmaid JM Judi Maynard Bridesmaid LH Lucy Hornak Bridesmaid FM Francine Morgan Bridesmaid DM Douglas Milvain Coach Passenger Pamela Cundell Pamela Cundell Coach Passenger PB Patrick Brock Coach Passenger Maggie Rennie Maggie Rennie Coach Passenger Louise English Louise English Servant EA Elaine Ashley Servant DA Dean Allen Servant IO Ian Oliver Servant George Tovey George Tovey Man at Inn Norman Mitchell Norman Mitchell Man at Inn MH Mike Hayward Man at Inn LM Lisa Mulidore Village Girl

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Why Cult

Female Highwayman

Watch Faye Dunaway trade lace for pistols as she leads a double life robbing coaches on moonlit roads.

Swashbuckler Adventure

Expect swordplay, horseback chases, and masked intrigue set against lavish 17th-century backdrops.

Period Scandal

From wedding night betrayals to public executions as entertainment, the film leans into its wicked period excess.

Femme Fatale Lead

Lady Barbara’s seduction, duplicity, and boldness rewrite the rules of the costume drama antiheroine.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was The Wicked Lady released? +

The Wicked Lady was released in 1983.

Who directed The Wicked Lady? +

The Wicked Lady was directed by Michael Winner.

How long is The Wicked Lady? +

The Wicked Lady has a runtime of 98 minutes.

What genre is The Wicked Lady? +

The Wicked Lady is an adventure drama film.

Where can I watch The Wicked Lady? +

The Wicked Lady is available to stream on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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