Returning home from a shopping trip to a nearby town, bored suburban housewife Laura Jesson is thrown by happenstance into an acquaintance with virtuous doctor Alec Harvey. Their casual friendship soon develops during their weekly visits into something more emotionally fulfilling than either expected, and they must wrestle with the potential havoc their deepening relationship would have on their lives and the lives of those they love.
Directed by David Lean
infidelity
farewell
husband wife relationship
narration
marriage
housewife
duty
black and white
doctor
love affair
tearjerker
told in flashback
impossible love
shame
guilty conscience
broken heart
hopelessness
secretiveness
Rank
#1 in 1945·#442 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
4.3 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Celia Johnson
Laura Jesson
Trevor Howard
Dr. Alec Harvey
Stanley Holloway
Albert Godby
Joyce Carey
Myrtle Bagot
Cyril Raymond
Fred Jesson
Everley Gregg
Dolly Messiter
Marjorie Mars
Mary Norton
Margaret Barton
Tea Room Assistant Beryl Walters
Alfie Bass
Waiter at the Royal (uncredited)
Wallace Bosco
Doctor After Bobbie's Accident (uncredited)
Noël Coward
Train Station Announcer (uncredited)
Nuna Davey
Herminie Rolandson (uncredited)
Crew
David Lean
Director
Noël Coward
Screenplay
Robert Krasker
Director of Photography
Ronald Neame
Producer
Noël Coward
Producer
George Pollock
Assistant Director
Noël Coward
Theatre Play
David Lean
Additional Writing
Ronald Neame
Additional Writing
Popular Reviews
786 reviews
Redux
8.0★ · 04/22/26
Nolan can only dream of such a twist
To fully experience this film, you need to have a certain background in life, and I don't have that
Nolan can only dream of such a twist
To fully experience this film, you need to have a certain background in life, and I don't have that
2
nat
8.0★ · 05/05/26
i liked how they show an affair in a very realistic way. honestly i didn’t really feel the romance that much. i mostly felt their shame and guilt, and i think its a success from this film
i liked how they show an affair in a very realistic way. honestly i didn’t really feel the romance that much. i mostly felt their shame and guilt, and i think its a success from this film
1
Salwa Hasanat
10.0★ · 03/12/26
this is the best film in the entire wide world and the history of earth, there has never been a better movie than 'brief encounter'
this is the best film in the entire wide world and the history of earth, there has never been a better movie than 'brief encounter'
1
gubgub
9.0★ · 09/14/25
never looking at platforms 3 and 4 the same ever again
never looking at platforms 3 and 4 the same ever again
1
Lmarshall
4.0★ · 05/26/26
Not a fan. I was bored throughout the movie and I was left wanting more. I was confused why people like this as much. Maybe this is a movie I just need to rewatch when I am older but right now this is overrated.
Not a fan. I was bored throughout the movie and I was left wanting more. I was confused why people like this as much. Maybe this is a movie I just need to rewatch when I am older but right now this is overrated.
