Walt Whitman called Lillie Langtry 'the essence of poetry.' James Whistler confessed that even he couldn't capture her beauty in a painting. And George Bernard Shaw declared her 'intelligent, daring, and independent.' In a BAFTA-winning performance hailed by critics, the incandescently beautiful Francesca Annis (Madame Bovary, Reckless, The Libertine) portrays the acclaimed British actress and courtesan from the blush of youth to the blight of old age. At a time when society expected women to be docile and demure, Lillie posed for celebrity endorsements, conducted her own business affairs, and paid her first husband to keep his distance. Even more scandalously, she openly entertained a string of lovers among Europe's elite, including the very married Prince of Wales--all while managing to win the respect and admiration of his wife. With its splendid cast and exquisite production elements, Lillie vividly captures the complex woman who became one of the most infamous figures of the Victorian age. watch
Lillie's affair with Bertie cools, and he encourages her budding affections for Prince Louis. The Langtrys sue for libel over a newspaper's false divorce report. Louis proposes to Lillie, but pressure from all sides may end their romance just as it has life-altering consequences. watch
Finally free of Edward, Lillie may marry whomever she pleases--and she makes an unconventional choice indeed. Jeanne Marie falls in love, but learning the truth about her father at last may turn her against Lillie forever. watch