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The Maids Details

1974 Certificate 12
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 124 members

This adaptation of Jean Genet's THE MAIDS was part of the American Film Theatre series. The film stars Glenda Jackson and Susannah York as two sisters named Solange and Claire who work as maids for their strict Madame. However, when Madame leaves the house, the two sisters dress up as their masters and take turns humiliating .. Read more

Starring Glenda Jackson, Susannah York, Vivien Merchant
Director Christopher Miles
Genres Drama

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The Maids cover art

The Maids

This adaptation of Jean Genet's THE MAIDS was part of the American Film Theatre series. The film stars Glenda Jackson and Susannah York as two sisters named Solange and Claire who work as maids for their strict Madame. However, when Madame leaves the house, the two sisters dress up as their masters and take turns humiliating one another as the surrogate Madame. This masterpiece of the absurd blends Genet's acerbic existentialism with cutting surrealist humour.

Starring Glenda Jackson, Susannah York, Vivien Merchant
Director Christopher Miles
Studio IND-DVD LTD
Run time DVD: 1 hr 30 mins
Certificate Certificate 12
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 20 Sep 2004
Production year: 1974
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of The Maids

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  • 2 stars out of 5

    Dull screen version of the dreary Jean Genet play about two Parisian maids who concoct a sado-masochistic plan to murder their hated mistress, but then never actually go through with it. It's that sort of play, and film. The main interest resides in the quality acting from a topnotch British cast, including Susannah York, and Glenda Jackson, back before she gave up acting to become one of Tony Blair's “babes”.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • An appallingly castrated version of Genet's closeted, claustrophobic play about SM fantasies. Besides some silly... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
    • Posted 04 Nov 2008

  • Most helpful member's review of The Maids

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    very strange...

    What's it all about? The product of a fevered imagination explains Susannah York in the dvd extras. It was watchable because the performances were so good but it was strange and very twisted. Something to do with power and escaping boredom?

      • A customer from Reading , Berks
      • Posted 18 Jan 2005 10:28

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Rating breakdown

124 Member ratings
  • 100
7
  • 90
3
  • 80
5
  • 70
8
  • 60
20
  • 50
15
  • 40
22
  • 30
17
  • 20
17
  • 10
10

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      • This adaptation of Jean Genet's THE MAIDS was part of the American Film Theatre series. The film stars Glenda Jackson and Susannah York as two sisters named Solange and Claire who work as maids for ...