The Libertine

Set in Restoration-era England, The Libertine follows John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester, a poet and courtier whose appetite for drink, sex and provocation defines his life at the court of Charles II. He is a favourite of the king yet a constant source of scandal, and his wit turns as readily against his patrons and his wife as it does against anyone else. When he takes an interest in Elizabeth Barry, a young actress struggling on the stage, he wagers that he can turn her into the talk of London. Their relationship complicates an already reckless existence.

Laurence Dunmore directed the film, his first feature, from a screenplay by Stephen Jeffreys, adapting his own play. Johnny Depp leads as Rochester, with Samantha Morton as Elizabeth Barry, John Malkovich as Charles II and Rosamund Pike as Elizabeth Malet. Malkovich also produced, alongside Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith. The film was a modest production, made for around 11 million dollars, and its worldwide takings matched that figure.

Released in 2004, it runs 114 minutes. On IMDb it holds 6.2 out of 10 from roughly 39,000 votes, while on TMDB it sits at 5.9 from about 500 votes. A critics' rating of 4.9 from 121 reviews places it below both audience scores. The cast numbers 24 credited performers.