Brief Encounter (1974 film)

Brief Encounter (1974) is a British made-for-television remake of the classic 1945 film Brief Encounter, which was based on Noël Coward's 1936 one-act play Still Life. This adaptation, directed by Alan Bridges, stars Sophia Loren as Anna Jesson (Laura Jesson in the original) and Richard Burton as Dr. Alec Harvey.

While retaining the core narrative of the original – a chance meeting between two already married individuals leading to a passionate but ultimately unconsummated affair – the 1974 version made several key changes. These included updating the setting to the 1970s and exploring the characters' internal struggles with a greater emphasis on realism and psychological depth, partly facilitated by the longer running time afforded by a television production. The remake also provided a more explicit portrayal of the characters' physical attraction, a departure from the understated and heavily implied romance of the original.

The film was broadcast as part of the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" series in the United States. Though it attempted to bring a contemporary perspective to the familiar story, it has generally been less well-regarded than the David Lean directed 1945 film and Noël Coward's original play. Critics often cited the perceived lack of chemistry between Loren and Burton, as well as the perceived unnecessity of remaking a film widely considered a cinematic masterpiece.