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Portrait of a Marriage

Watchlist

1990-1990
1 Season
Documentary, Drama

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Melodrama detailing the real-life love affair between feminist writer Vita Sackville-West and novelist Violet Keppel against the backdrop of post-World War I England and opposition by Vita's politician husband Harold Nicolson. Vita and Violet's romantic relationship becomes increasingly obsessive which spawns destructive feelings of possessiveness and jealousy between them.

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Cast & Crew See All

Janet McTeer

Vita Sackville-West

David Haig

Harold Nicolson

Cathryn Harrison

Violet Keppel Trefusis

Season 1 Episode Guide See All

Episode 1

Episode #1.1

54 mins

In 1940 England, feminist poet Vita Sackville-West gets a phone call from Violet Keppel Trefusis which triggers a flashback to 1917 where Violet first came for a visit at Vita's country house. Violet is dismayed to find her gallant, heroic Vita ensconced in a cozy marriage to diplomat Harold Nicolson, her wild spirit seemingly tamed by her roles as wife and mother to their two young sons, Ben and Nigel. Vita loves her husband, and values him as a great companion. When Harold tells Vita of his past sexual dalliances with men, his disclosure opens the door for her to rekindle her relationship with Violet - not out of revenge, but out of a desire for equal freedom to explore her own same-sex desires for her best friend that she has experienced since her teenage years, and the same goes for Violet.

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