The Handmaid's Tale (1990)
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- R
- 1h 49min
- Drama, Romance
- 09 Mar 1990 (USA)
- Movie
Under a dystopian religious tyranny, most women cannot conceive children. Those young women who can live in a form of sexual slavery to provide children for influential families.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 2 wins & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Natasha Richardson | ... |
Kate
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| Faye Dunaway | ... |
Serena Joy
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| Aidan Quinn | ... |
Nick
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| Elizabeth McGovern | ... |
Moira
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| Victoria Tennant | ... |
Aunt Lydia
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| Robert Duvall | ... |
Commander
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| Blanche Baker | ... |
Ofglen
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| Traci Lind | ... |
Ofwarren / Janine
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Zoey Wilson | ... |
Aunt Helena
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Kathryn Doby | ... |
Aunt Elizabeth
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| Reiner Schöne | ... |
Luke
(as Rainer Schoene)
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| Lucia Hartpeng | ... |
Cora
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Karma Ibsen Riley | ... |
Aunt Sara
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Lucile McIntyre | ... |
Rita
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| Gary Bullock | ... |
Officer on Bus
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Allison Holmes | ... |
June
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J. Michael Hunter | ... |
Preacher
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Robert D. Raiford | ... |
Dick
(as Robert Raiford)
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Mirjam Bohnet | ... |
Alma
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Julian Bell | ... |
T.V. Announcer
(as Julian E. Bell)
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David Barnes | ... |
Guard
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James A. Carleo III | ... |
Angel at Desk
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| Jim Grimshaw | ... |
Eye in Van
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Ivan H. Migel | ... |
Eye
(as Ivan Migel)
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Doris Boggs | ... |
Aunt
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Annemarie Fenske | ... |
Aunt Christina
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Linda Pierce | ... |
Another Wife
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Nina Lynn Blanton | ... |
Third Wife
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Rhesa Reagan Stone | ... |
Mrs. Warren
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| Sara Seidman Vance | ... |
Handmaid
(as Sara Seidman)
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| Muse Watson | ... |
Guardian
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Janell McLeod | ... |
Martha
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Elke Ritschel | ... |
Hostess
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Jane Learned | ... |
Nun
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Randell Haynes | ... |
Condemned Man
(as Randall Haynes)
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Rhonda Bond | ... |
Black Woman
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Mil Nicholson | ... |
Wardress
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Robert Pentz | ... |
Guard #1
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Tom McGovern | ... |
Guard #2
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Danny Simpkins | ... |
Waiter
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James Martin Jr. | ... |
Steve
(as James G. Martin Jr.)
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Stefanie J. Chen | ... |
Ofglen #2
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| Ed Grady | ... |
Old Man
(as Ed. L. Grady)
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Molly Sandick | ... |
Baby
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Blair Struble | ... |
Jill
(as Blair Nicole Struble)
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| Bill Owen | ... |
T.V. Announcer #2
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| David Dukes | ... |
Doctor (uncredited)
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Rob McGowan | ... |
Street Worker (uncredited)
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| Michael Tove | ... |
Elite Soldier (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Volker Schlöndorff | ... | (as Volker Schlondorff) |
Written by
| Margaret Atwood | ... | (novel) |
| Harold Pinter | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Alex Gartner | ... | associate producer |
| Wolfgang Glattes | ... | executive producer |
| Gale Goldberg | ... | associate producer |
| Eberhard Junkersdorf | ... | co-producer |
| Daniel Wilson | ... | producer |
Music by
| Ryuichi Sakamoto | ||
Cinematography by
| Igor Luther | ||
Editing by
| David Ray | ||
Editorial Department
| Uta Draher-Reeg | ... | apprentice editor |
| Marta Evry | ... | assistant editor |
| Mark Ginsberg | ... | color timer |
| Cara Silverman | ... | first assistant editor |
Casting By
| Pat Golden | ||
Production Design by
| Thomas A. Walsh | ... | (as Tom Walsh) |
Art Direction by
| Gregory S. Melton | ... | (as Gregory Melton) |
Set Decoration by
| Jan Pascale | ||
Costume Design by
| Colleen Atwood | ... | (as Coleen Atwood) |
Makeup Department
| Alan D'Angerio | ... | hair department head |
| Jeff Goodwin | ... | makeup supervisor |
| Herita Jones | ... | assistant makeup artist |
| Gerlinde Kunz | ... | hair stylist: Ms. Dunaway / makeup artist: Ms. Dunaway |
| Francesca Paris | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Wolfgang Glattes | ... | unit production manager |
| Michael W. Stroud | ... | production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Gabriela Bacher | ... | assistant director / second unit director |
| Sarah M. Brim | ... | second assistant director (as Sally Brim) |
| Tony Gittelson | ... | first assistant director |
| Stephen A. Glanzrock | ... | second second assistant director |
Art Department
| Kip Bartlett | ... | swing gang |
| Nicholisa Camaioni | ... | art department coordinator |
| Raymond Camaioni | ... | construction coordinator (as Ray Camaioni) |
| Jeffrey Ellis | ... | set builder |
| Jay Klein | ... | set dresser |
| Roger Knight | ... | assistant set dresser |
| Jack M. Marino | ... | property master (as Jack Marino) |
| Randall Milazzo | ... | lead man (as Randall R. Milazzo) |
| Carole Peterman | ... | props (as Carole J. Sanders) |
| Aubrey Pettis | ... | paint foreman |
| Mark Ricker | ... | art department intern |
| John Sanders | ... | assistant property master |
| Chris Santini | ... | construction foreman (as Christopher Santini) |
| Linwood Taylor | ... | set designer |
| Chris Theorin | ... | swing gang |
| Joe Turner | ... | set builder |
| Richard Whitney | ... | stand-by painter |
| Stephen Woods | ... | set builder |
Sound Department
| Peter R. Adam | ... | sound effects editor |
| Diana Barry | ... | apprentice sound editor |
| Ursula Busse | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Martin Evans | ... | dialogue editor |
| Harriet Fidlow | ... | adr editor (as Harriet Fidlow Winn) |
| Tom Fleischman | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Michael Jacobi | ... | adr editor |
| Shari Johanson | ... | sound re-recordist (as Shari L. Schwartz) |
| Mel Kutbay | ... | foley artist |
| Danny Michael | ... | sound mixer |
| Isa Moeller | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Douglas Murray | ... | sound re-recordist (as Douglas L. Murray) |
| Jörn Poetzl | ... | foley artist (as Joern Poetzl) |
| Nani Schumann | ... | foley editor |
| Marc-Jon Sullivan | ... | boom operator |
Special Effects by
| Jeff McKay | ... | assistant special effects |
| Tim Ward | ... | special effects coordinator |
Stunts
| Richard E. Butler | ... | stunts (as Dick Butler) |
| Scott Dale | ... | stunts |
| Steve Kelso | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Dean Mumford | ... | stunts |
| Jim Wilkey | ... | stunts |
| Gene Witham | ... | stunts |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Mitchell Amundsen | ... | camera operator |
| Bill Finger | ... | second assistant camera (as William Finger) |
| Neal Mills Forney III | ... | additional assistant camera |
| John Gardey | ... | still photographer (as Jon Gardey) |
| Charley Gilleran | ... | best boy grip |
| Mikael Glattes | ... | first assistant camera |
| Frieder Hocheim | ... | gaffer (as Frieder Hochhein) |
| Victor Korte | ... | dolly grip |
| Ivan H. Migel | ... | grip (as Ivan Migel) |
| Steve Owen | ... | electrician |
| John Perkinson | ... | camera department trainee |
| Stephen Perry | ... | electrician |
| York Phelps | ... | grip |
| Alan Pickelsimer | ... | electrician |
| Mark Smith | ... | electrician |
| Gary H. Swink | ... | best boy (as Gary Swink) |
| Thaddeus Wadleigh | ... | key grip |
| Rick Whitfield | ... | video playback operator |
| Elan Yaari | ... | electrician |
Casting Department
| Craig Fincannon | ... | local casting |
| Mark Fincannon | ... | local casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Ursula Schrader | ... | key costumer |
| Hartsell Taylor | ... | assistant costumer |
| Kimberly von Brandenstein | ... | assistant to costume designer |
Location Management
| Ron Servicky | ... | assistant locations |
| Michael W. Stroud | ... | location manager (as Michael Stroud) |
| Fred Styles | ... | location manager |
| Jerry Whittington | ... | location scout |
Music Department
| Peter Afterman | ... | music supervisor |
| Christopher Brooks | ... | music editor |
| Robin Clarke | ... | music editor |
| Jim Harrison | ... | music editor |
| Norika Sky-Sora | ... | assistant to composer |
| Dawn Solér | ... | music project manager (as Dawn Soler) |
| Diane DeLouise Wessel | ... | music supervisor (as Diane Wessel) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Mamie Mitchell | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| J. Wesley Adams | ... | transportation captain (as Wesley Adams) |
| Tyler C. Daum | ... | picture car coordinator |
| Troy Flynn | ... | driver: production van |
| Allan Hamilton | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Jim Petti | ... | transportation |
| Kelly Safrit | ... | Cast Driver for Natasha Richardson |
Additional Crew
| Jennifer Bartlett | ... | conceptual advisor |
| Norwood Cheek | ... | production assistant |
| Grady Cooper | ... | production assistant |
| Jane Desmond | ... | choreographer |
| Barbara Dickinson | ... | choreographer |
| Tad Driscoll | ... | accountant |
| Kate Eisemann | ... | key production assistant |
| Mimi Goldman | ... | accountant |
| Mark R. Lindsay | ... | sales representative (as Mark Lindsay) |
| Mary Lugo | ... | unit publicist |
| Steven McAfee | ... | production coordinator |
| Ingrid C. Michaels | ... | production coordinator |
| Kate Miller | ... | production assistant |
| Olivia Patton | ... | production assistant |
| Jay Sedrish | ... | accountant |
| Robin Swid | ... | production assistant |
| Duane Williams | ... | craft service |
| Brad Wilson | ... | assistant: Robert Duvall |
| Jean S. Wollan | ... | assistant to producer |
| David H. Kramer | ... | adr loop group (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Bioskop Film
- Cinecom Entertainment Group
- Cinétudes Films
- Daniel Wilson Productions
- Master Partners
- Odyssey
Distributors
- Cinecom Pictures (1990) (United States) (theatrical)
- AMLF (1990) (France) (theatrical)
- Constantin Film (1990) (West Germany) (theatrical) (as Neue Constantin Film)
- Nova Releasing (1990) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Transmundo Films (1990) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Virgin Vision (1990) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Nova Home Video (1990) (Canada) (VHS)
- Transmundo Home Video (THV) (1990) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Shochiku-Fuji Company (1991) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Phillips (1991) (Germany) (video) (laserdisc)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- Divisa Home Video (2008) (Spain) (DVD)
- Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2008) (Germany) (DVD)
- Shout! Factory (2017) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Artisti Associati (II) (1991) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Finnkino (1990) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Flat Out Entertainment (1990) (Australia) (theatrical)
- 4 Front Video (1994) (United Kingdom) (VHS) (Budget reissue)
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (ARD) (1992) (Germany) (tv)
- Ciné+ (2021) (France) (tv)
- Constantin Video (1991) (Germany) (VHS)
- Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (United States) (VHS)
- Image Entertainment (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Justbridge Entertainment (2020) (Germany) (DVD)
- Justbridge Entertainment (2022) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1995) (Finland) (tv)
- Malofilm Home Video (1992) (Canada) (VHS)
- Nordic Film Group (1991) (Finland) (VHS)
- One Gate Media (2023) (Germany) (DVD)
- SBS Viceland (2023) (Australia) (tv)
- SBS6 (1996) (Netherlands) (tv)
- The Criterion Channel (2019) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2022) (Australia) (DVD)
- VCL Communications (1991) (Germany) (VHS) (release through)
- Virgin Video (1991) (United Kingdom) (VHS) (as Virgin Premiere) (Rental Release)
- Virgin Vision (1990) (Australia) (VHS) (under M.C.E.G. Virgin Home Entertainment label)
- Vision Video (VVL) Ltd. (1992) (United Kingdom) (VHS) (Budget release)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2018) (Finland) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Aquarius Transformations (sound transfers)
- Fincannon & Associates (local casting)
- GNP Crescendo Records (soundtrack)
- Hollywood Rental Company (lighting and grip)
- Kino Flow Inc. (lighting design)
- Otto Nemenz International (camera equipment)
- T.A.B. Inc. (negative matching)
- The Optical House (opticals)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In a future dystopian land (formerly the United States of America), the story tells of Kate, a "handmaid". Kate is a criminal, guilty of the crime of trying to escape and sentenced to become a Handmaid. Handmaids' sole function is to bear the children of influential men whose wives (like most women) have been rendered infertile due to pollution. After rigorous group training by "Aunt" Lydia ("Aunts" train and discipline handmaids) in the proper way to behave, Kate is assigned as Handmaid to the Commander. Kate is attracted to Nick, the Commander's chauffeur. At the same time, a resistance movement begins to challenge the regime. Written by Reid Gagle (updated by R.M. Sieger) |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | A haunting tale of sexuality in a country gone wrong. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | While working on the film, Robert Duvall became so fascinated with evangelism that it inspired him to write The Apostle (1997). See more » |
| Goofs | When Moira ties up Aunt Lydia and escapes the Red Center, it is late at night, but moments later, when she exits, it is clearly daytime. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Joe Versus the Volcano/The Handmaid's Tale/Bad Influence/Coupe De Ville/Love at Large (1990). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Whispering Hope See more » |
| Quotes |
Moira:
What they get you for? Kate: We tried to cross the border. You? Moira: Gender Treachery. I like girls. Kate: My God! They could've sent you to the colonies for that. Moira: They don't send you to the colonies if your ovaries are still jumping. See more » |