The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)
Reference View | Change View
- NC-17
- 2h 4min
- Crime, Drama
- 06 Apr 1990 (USA)
- Movie
At Le Hollandais gourmet restaurant, every night is filled with opulence, decadence and gluttony. But when the cook, a thief, his wife and her lover all come together, they unleash a shocking torrent of sex, food, murder and revenge.
Director:
Writer:
Awards:
- 7 wins & 11 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Richard Bohringer | ... |
Richard Borst
|
|
| Michael Gambon | ... |
Albert
|
|
| Helen Mirren | ... |
Georgina
|
|
| Alan Howard | ... |
Michael
|
|
| Tim Roth | ... |
Mitchel
|
|
| Ciarán Hinds | ... |
Cory
(as Ciaran Hinds)
|
|
 |
Gary Olsen | ... |
Spangler
|
| Ewan Stewart | ... |
Harris
|
|
| Roger Ashton-Griffiths | ... |
Turpin
(as Roger Ashton Griffiths)
|
|
| Ron Cook | ... |
Mews
|
|
| Liz Smith | ... |
Grace
|
|
| Emer Gillespie | ... |
Patricia
|
|
| Janet Henfrey | ... |
Alice
|
|
| Arnie Breeveld | ... |
Eden
|
|
|
|
Tony Alleff | ... |
Troy
|
|
|
Paul Russell | ... |
Pup
|
| Alex Kingston | ... |
Adele
|
|
|
|
Ian Sears | ... |
Phillipe
|
|
|
Willie Ross | ... |
Roy
|
| Ian Dury | ... |
Terry Fitch
|
|
| Diane Langton | ... |
May Fitch
|
|
|
|
Prudence Oliver | ... |
Corelle Fitch
|
| Roger Lloyd Pack | ... |
Geoff
|
|
| Bob Goody | ... |
Starkie
|
|
|
|
Peter Rush | ... |
Melter
|
|
|
Pauline Mayer | ... |
Fish Girl
|
|
|
Ben Stoneham | ... |
Meat Boy
|
|
|
Andy Wilson | ... |
1st Diner
|
|
|
John Mullis | ... |
2nd Diner
|
| Flavia Brilli | ... |
Cabaret Singer
|
|
|
|
Brenda Edwards | ... |
Dancer
|
|
|
Sophie Goodchild | ... |
Dancer
|
|
|
Alex Fraser | ... |
Waiter
|
|
|
Michael Clark | ... |
Waiter
|
|
|
Gary Logan | ... |
Waiter
|
|
|
Tim Geary | ... |
Waiter
|
|
|
Saffron Rainey | ... |
Waiter
|
|
|
Hywel Williams-Ellis | ... |
Waiter
(as Hywel Williams Ellis)
|
|
|
Michael Maguire | ... |
Waiter
|
|
|
Patric Walters | ... |
Kitchen Staff
|
|
|
Sue Maund | ... |
Kitchen Staff
|
|
|
Nick Brozovic | ... |
Kitchen Staff
|
|
|
Caroline Pagano | ... |
Kitchen Staff
(as Karrie Pagano)
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Keith Barrows | ... |
Customer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Yolande Brener | ... |
1st Diner's Wife (uncredited)
|
|
|
Irene Palko | ... |
A Guest (uncredited)
|
Directed by
| Peter Greenaway | ||
Written by
| Peter Greenaway | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Pascale Dauman | ... | co-producer |
| Kees Kasander | ... | producer |
| Daniel Toscan du Plantier | ... | co-producer (as Daniel Toscan Du Plantier) |
| Denis Wigman | ... | co-producer |
Music by
| Michael Nyman | ||
Cinematography by
| Sacha Vierny | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| John Wilson | ||
Editorial Department
| Birgit Berger | ... | trainee assistant editor |
| Julian Rodd | ... | first assistant editor |
Casting By
| Sharon Howard-Field | ... | (as Sharon Howard Field) |
Production Design by
| Ben van Os | ... | (as Ben Van Os) |
| Jan Roelfs | ||
Costume Design by
| Jean-Paul Gaultier | ... | (costumes) (as Jean Paul Gaultier) |
Makeup Department
| Patrick de Loor | ... | make up assistant (as Patrick De Lore) |
| Sjoerd Didden | ... | make up/fx |
| Mel Gibson | ... | makeup trainee |
| Sabrina Law | ... | makeup trainee |
| Sara Meerman | ... | hair and make up designer |
| Anne Neilson | ... | makeup trainee (as Anne Nielson) |
| Hanneke van Rhoon | ... | make up assistant (as Hanneke Van Rhoon) |
| Arthur Vriens | ... | make up/fx assistant |
| Sarah Walsh | ... | makeup trainee |
Production Management
| Karin Van Der Werff | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Marie Dominique Dhelsing | ... | assistant director trainee |
| Milfid Ellis | ... | second assistant director |
| Mark Harrison | ... | third assistant director |
| Gerrit Martijn | ... | first assistant director |
| Natasha Ross | ... | jobfit trainee |
Art Department
| Jonathan Agnew | ... | jobfit trainee |
| Michael Bleasdale | ... | assistant constructor |
| Bas Boone | ... | assistant constructor |
| John Bramble | ... | assistant set dresser |
| Michael Calin | ... | carpenter |
| Paul Connell | ... | carpenter |
| Anthony Costin | ... | assistant constructor |
| Michel De Graaf | ... | scenic artist |
| Wieger De Jong | ... | scenic artist |
| Constance de Vos | ... | set dresser (as Constance De Vos) |
| Sophie Fiennes | ... | art department production |
| Steve Hall | ... | carpenter |
| Paul Harrison | ... | carpenter |
| Daniel Harvey | ... | assistant constructor |
| Charley Hayward | ... | carpenter |
| Michael Howells | ... | assistant art director |
| Lidewij Kapteijn | ... | constructor |
| Alexander Kasterine | ... | art department assistant |
| Maarten Piersma | ... | constructor |
| Claudia Valentijn | ... | assistant constructor |
| Wilbert Van Dorp | ... | construction manager |
| Dory van Noort | ... | constructor (as Dori Van Noort) |
| Ank Van Straalen | ... | assistant art director |
| Coen Verbeek | ... | assistant scenic artist |
| Paul Wilkins | ... | propmaker |
| Nigel Worlidge | ... | carpenter |
Sound Department
| Tom Buchanan | ... | boom operator |
| Felicity Cottrell | ... | footsteps artist |
| Michael Danks | ... | dubbing editor |
| Bill Garlic | ... | footsteps artist (as Bill Garlick) |
| Diane Greaves | ... | footsteps artist (as Dianne Greaves) |
| Nigel Heath | ... | sound effects treatment |
| Rached M'Dini | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Garth Marshall | ... | production sound / sound recordist |
| Maxine Matts | ... | assistant dubbing editor |
| Peter Maxwell | ... | dubbing mixer |
| Ashley McDuffy | ... | first assistant sound |
| Trevor Pyke | ... | assistant dubbing mixer |
| Shirley Shaw | ... | dubbing editor |
| Ted Swanscott | ... | footsteps mixer |
| Aad Wirtz | ... | adr mixer |
| Chris Wyatt | ... | dubbing editor |
| Steve Hancock | ... | sound camera operator (uncredited) |
| Tim Partridge | ... | dolby sound consultant (uncredited) |
| Noel Wallace | ... | dubbing projectionist (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Arthur Cloquet | ... | camera operator |
| Nils Dammers | ... | electrician |
| Max Harrison | ... | clapper loader |
| Nico Komen | ... | best boy |
| Piotr Kukla | ... | electrician |
| Martin McCullagh | ... | chief grip (as Martin McCullough) |
| Chris Renson | ... | focus puller |
| Andy Saunders | ... | trainee electrician |
| Mel Scaffold | ... | rigging |
| Benito Strangio | ... | electrician |
| Reinier van Brummelen | ... | gaffer (as Reinier Van Brummelen) |
| Pieter Vermeer | ... | electrician |
| Slawomir Zukowski | ... | jobfit trainee |
Casting Department
| Karen Lindsay-Stewart | ... | casting director's assistant |
| Ineke de Vos | ... | additional casting (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Carin Donaldson | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Penelope Gobin | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Sharon Long | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Dien van Straalen | ... | wardrobe supervisor (as Dien Van Straalen) |
| Elianne Van Dorp | ... | wardrobe mistress |
Music Department
| Graham Ashton | ... | musician: trumpet |
| Marsten Bailey | ... | assistant engineer |
| Alexander Balanescu | ... | musician: violin |
| Jonathan Carney | ... | musician: violin/viola (as Johnathan Carney) |
| Paul Chapman | ... | musician: boy soprano |
| David Cunningham | ... | music producer |
| Michael J. Dutton | ... | music mixer (as Michael J Dutton) |
| Terry Edwards | ... | director: London Voices |
| Andrew Findon | ... | musician: tenor/baritone sax/flute |
| David Fuest | ... | musician: clarinet/ bass clarinet |
| Dillon Gallagher | ... | assistant engineer |
| Will Gregory | ... | musician: piano |
| Jim Hall | ... | musician: drums (as James Hall) |
| John Harle | ... | musician: soprano/alto sax |
| Tony Hinnigan | ... | musician: cello |
| Tim Hunt | ... | music mixer |
| Sarah Leonard | ... | musician: soprano |
| Michael Nyman | ... | conductor / music performed by / musician: piano |
| Elisabeth Perry | ... | musician: violin (as Elizabeth Perry) |
| John Perry | ... | musician: guitar |
| David Roach | ... | musician: alto sax |
| Dave Stewart | ... | musician: trombone (as David Stewart) |
| Chris Laurence | ... | musician: double bass (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Nathalie Vierny | ... | continuity |
Additional Crew
| Nancy D'Ancona | ... | production coordinator |
| Jules Eyres | ... | production assistant |
| Rebecca Loak | ... | jobfit trainee |
| Giorgio Locatelli | ... | chef prop food |
| Marie-Christine Malbert | ... | publicity: France (as Marie Christine Malbert) |
| Charles McDonald | ... | publicity: UK |
| Nick Searle | ... | production assistant |
| Cor Severs | ... | production accountant |
| Roland Wigman | ... | office manager |
| Nigel Wood | ... | production accountant |
| Susie Woodley | ... | catering: on-set |
| Andi Wright | ... | assistant: Kees Kasander |
| Joss Agnew | ... | jobfit trainee (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Patrick Belleville | ... | special thanks |
| Juliet Clarke | ... | special thanks |
| Marietta De Vries | ... | special thanks |
| Graham Easton | ... | special thanks |
| Peter Falk | ... | special thanks |
| Alexander Gelderman | ... | special thanks |
| Ronnie Gerschtanowitz | ... | special thanks |
| Pat Gilwing | ... | special thanks |
| Billy Hinshelwood | ... | special thanks |
| Tim Johnson | ... | special thanks |
| Paul Le Chonge Klein | ... | special thanks |
| Jeannine Lockett | ... | special thanks |
| Totty Lowther | ... | special thanks (as Totty Whately) |
| Andrew Mitchell | ... | special thanks |
| Paola Moretti | ... | special thanks (as Paola Moretti - Designer) |
| Leo Mulder | ... | special thanks |
| Gordon Stalker | ... | special thanks |
| Colin Wilson | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
- Allarts (presents)
- Elsevier-Vendex Film Beheer (presents) (in association with)
- Allarts Cook
- Erato Films
- Film Inc.
Distributors
- Cineplex Odeon Films (1989) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Faro Films (1990) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Filmes Castello Lopes (1990) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Herald Film Company (1990) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Mandre Pictures (1991) (India) (theatrical) (Bangalore)
- Meteor Film Productions (1989) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Miramax (1990) (United States) (theatrical)
- NEF 2 Filmverleih (1989) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- New Vision Films (1990) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Palace Pictures (1989) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Pari Films (1989) (France) (theatrical)
- Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1990) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Svenska Filminstitutet (SFI) (1990) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (2001) (United States) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox Home Video (1990) (Australia) (video)
- Cineplex-Odeon Home Video (1990) (Canada) (VHS)
- Fabulous Films (2016) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray)
- Fabulous Films (2016) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Justbridge Entertainment (2020) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Justbridge Entertainment (2020) (Germany) (DVD)
- MCA Home Video (1990) (Canada) (VHS)
- Malo Video (1990) (Canada) (VHS)
- Movies Select Video (1991) (Belgium) (VHS)
- Ofer Video (Mexico) (VHS)
- One Gate Media (2023) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video (1990) (Belgium) (VHS) (rental version)
- Starmaker Entertainment (1992) (United States) (VHS)
- The Criterion Channel (2019) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (1990) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Transvídeo (Brazil) (video)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2021) (Australia) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2003) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (Italy) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Vidmark Entertainment (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- Zima Entertainment (2012) (Mexico) (Blu-ray)
- Zima Entertainment (2012) (Mexico) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- A1 Animals (carpark dogs)
- Academy Costumes (waiters costumes & feather cloak realised by)
- Armitage Shanks (bathroom props)
- Aspettando Il Miracolo (special thanks)
- Cinefocus (grip equipment)
- Cinefood (catering)
- Clynol Hairdressing Products (special thanks)
- Dolby Laboratories (sound post-production)
- Ford UK (production cars)
- GBS (lights supplied by)
- General Cosmetics Holland (special thanks)
- Good Eating Company (catering)
- Grip House (grip equipment)
- Hackenbacker Sound (sound transfers)
- Italian Travel (travel)
- Jongor (special thanks)
- Kodak (filmstock)
- Ladbroke Films Dubbing (adr)
- Lansdowne Studios (music recorded & mixed at)
- Lewis & Kaye (special thanks)
- London Voices (choir)
- Maquillage Professionnel Visiora de Christian Dior (make-up supplied by)
- Marcus Recording Studios (Pup's solo recorded at)
- Motion Picture Association (MPA)
- P.A.R.O.S.H. Clothes (special thanks)
- PRT Studios (music recorded & mixed at)
- Platform Design (titles)
- Riverside Bakery, Nottingham (special thanks)
- Salon Productions (editing equipment)
- Samfreight (courier)
- Savoy Hotel (special thanks)
- Stones Chophouse (special thanks)
- Technovision (cameras supplied by)
- The Conran Shop (special thanks)
- The Groucho Club (special thanks)
- The Hague Film Foundation (special thanks)
- The Limelight Club (special thanks)
- The London School of Fashion (special thanks)
- United Biscuits (U.K.) (special thanks)
- Upfront EGS (exterior stage building)
- Video & Film Company (grip equipment)
- Virgin Records (soundtrack)
- Vrijzinnig Protestantse Radio Omroep (VPRO) (special thanks)
- Warner Bros. De Lane Lea (sound re-recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The wife of a barbaric crime boss engages in a secretive romance with a gentle bookseller between meals at her husband's restaurant. Food, colour coding, sex, murder, torture, and cannibalism are the exotic fare in this beautifully filmed, but brutally uncompromising modern fable.
Written by Keith Loh |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Greenaway's recipe of food and sex mixed with art is both delicious and wonderfully wicked. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Official Sites | |
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The four title characters were named for the actors and actress writer and director Peter Greenaway originally wanted to play them. Richard (The Cook) was for Richard Bohringer, the only one of Greenaway's original choices retained in the final movie. Albert (The Thief) was named after Albert Finney, while Georgina (His Wife) was for Georgina Hale. Michael (The Lover) was named, interestingly enough, for Sir Michael Gambon, who Greenaway eventually re-cast as Albert. See more » |
| Goofs | When Albert (Michael Gambon) goes into the ladies' toilet and starts throwing women out of the cubicles, the second one has, as you would expect, her underwear around her knees. But her skirt rides right up, revealing that she is still wearing her underwear, and that the ones below are a prop. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in I Love You to Death/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Cry-Baby/The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover/Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1990). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Memorial See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Closing credits epilogue: "And a special thanks to those very many people who patiently & repeatedly performed as patients & nurses in the hospital ward, and as diners in the Hollandais Restaurant." See more » |
| Quotes |
Georgina:
Try the cock, Albert. It's a delicacy, and you know where it's been. See more » |