The Wicked Lady (1983 film)

The Wicked Lady is a 1983 British historical drama film directed by Michael Winner and starring Faye Dunaway, Alan Bates, John Gielgud, and Hugh Millais. It is a remake of the 1945 film of the same name, itself based on the novel The Life and Death of the Wicked Lady Skelton by Magdalen King-Hall, a fictionalized account of the life of Lady Skelton, a notorious highwaywoman.

The film tells the story of Lady Barbara Skelton (Dunaway), a beautiful but bored aristocrat in 17th-century England who marries for wealth and status but quickly grows restless. She finds excitement in a double life as a masked highway robber, engaging in daring heists and ruthless violence. Her actions lead to conflict with her husband, Sir Ralph Skelton (Bates), and a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a charming but ruthless highwayman, Captain Jerry Jackson (Millais).

The 1983 version is known for its explicit sexuality and violence, elements that were controversial upon its release and significantly different from the toned-down nature of the original film. It received negative reviews from critics, who criticized its historical inaccuracies, over-the-top performances, and gratuitous content. However, it achieved some commercial success due to its notoriety.