The Libertine

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The Libertine

R,

2005,

1h 54m,

History/

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

34%

120 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

34%

Tomatometer

120 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

John Wilmot (Johnny Depp), the egotistical second Earl of Rochester, leads an entirely debauched life. When not writing bawdy verse, Wilmot spends his time imbibing massive amounts of alcohol and bedding myriad women, including Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton). When King Charles II (John Malkovich) commissions him to write a play, he happily agrees. But after Wilmot foolishly uses his big break to skewer the crown, he must face a furious Charles -- and the real possibility of exile.

Critics Consensus

Despite Johnny Depp's zealous performance, muddled direction and murky cinematography hinder The Libertine.

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Keith Phipps

AV Club

Nov 27, 2006

D+

[Director] Dunmore creates a memorably grimy London, but the moral grime covering the film proves less memorable.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Aug 1, 2006

3/5

I enjoyed it - or much of it - for reasons that have everything to do with Johnny Depp.

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Sam Toy

Empire Magazine

Apr 1, 2006

2/5

The story, like the cinematography, is overly foggy and under-illuminated.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Dec 26, 2025

2.5/4

Ultimately, it possesses all the shock value of a toddler yelling, "Poopy!"

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Nov 14, 2019

Despite its many flaws, The Libertine is a film worth watching, if only for the restorative talents of [Johnny] Depp and [John] Malkovich.

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Dave White

Movies.com

Apr 4, 2011

2/5

Big dull drag of a movie.

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Nov 18, 2017

There are a handful of specifics I could critique, but it takes away from the fact that this film is fantastic and highly underrated. Johnny Depp's best performance.

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Laurence Dunmore

Director

Johnny Depp

Rochester

Samantha Morton

Elizabeth Barry

John Malkovich

King Charles II

Paul Ritter

Chiffinch

Stanley Townsend

Keown

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Synopsis

John Wilmot (Johnny Depp), the egotistical second Earl of Rochester, leads an entirely debauched life. When not writing bawdy verse, Wilmot spends his time imbibing massive amounts of alcohol and bedding myriad women, including Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton). When King Charles II (John Malkovich) commissions him to write a play, he happily agrees. But after Wilmot foolishly uses his big break to skewer the crown, he must face a furious Charles -- and the real possibility of exile.

Director: Laurence Dunmore
Producer: Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith
Screenwriter: Stephen Jeffreys
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Mr. Mudd
Rating: R (Strong Sexuality Inc. Dialogue|Language|Violence)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 25, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.8M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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