Feast of July

Feast of July

Year: 1995

Runtime: 116 mins

Language: English

Director: Christopher Menaul

DramaCrime

In late‑19th‑century rural England, an abandoned young woman is offered shelter by a humble couple and their three attractive sons. As she tries to flee the shadows of her past, hidden secrets emerge, the fragile domestic peace shatters, and tragic consequences unfold.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Feast of July (1995)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Feast of July (1995). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th to early 20th century

The story takes place during a period marked by traditional social structures, rural agriculture, and early modern transportation methods. The setting highlights the period's norms, family values, and social hierarchies, typical of the late Victorian to Edwardian era in rural England, where social change was beginning to influence rural life.

Location

Addisford, Selmouth, Aylesburgh

The movie is set in a rural region featuring small villages like Addisford and Selmouth, embodying prosperous countryside communities with local farms and tight-knit families. Addisford functions as the central town with social events and daily rural routines, reflecting the traditional way of life in a countryside setting.

🏡 Rural 🏞️ Countryside 🏘️ Village life

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:48

Main Characters – Feast of July (1995)

Meet the key characters of Feast of July (1995), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bella Ford (Embeth Dadtz)

A resilient woman who faces hardship and social stigma after her past is revealed. Her journey from suffering to love and motherhood exemplifies strength and vulnerability, as she navigates complex relationships and moral dilemmas.

💔 Past 💪 Resilience 👩‍🦱 Woman

Con Wainwright (Ben Chaplin)

A compassionate and impulsive man torn between love and guilt. His actions, driven by strong emotion, lead to tragic consequences, reflecting the themes of morality and redemption.

❤️ Love ⚔️ Conflict 😔 Guilt

Jedd Wainwright (James Purefoy)

A flirtatious and reckless brother whose behavior causes tension within the family. His interactions with Bella serve as catalysts for the story’s conflicts and tragic climax.

🔥 Temper 🚶‍♂️ Flirt ⚠️ Provocation

Mrs. Wainwright (Gemma Jones)

A protective mother figure who displays traditional values and complex emotions regarding her family and Bella. Her coldness and later emotional connection underscore themes of societal expectations.

🌸 Mother 🛑 Strict 💖 Compassion

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:48

Major Themes – Feast of July (1995)

Explore the central themes of Feast of July (1995), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Morality

The film explores complex moral dilemmas, especially surrounding issues of love, guilt, and justice. Con’s moral conflict about killing Jedd and his subsequent execution highlight the themes of justice and the consequences of actions. The characters grapple with personal morality amid societal expectations.

💔 Love and Sacrifice

Romantic relationships and personal sacrifices are central themes, emphasizing the struggles of love amid hardship. Bella’s past, her feelings for Con, and her decision to leave everything behind depict the enduring theme of sacrifice for love. The narrative underscores how love often involves difficult choices.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:48

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Period Tragedies of Shattered Refuge like Feast of July

Period dramas where a sanctuary becomes the stage for devastating family conflict.If you liked the slow-building tension and tragic family dynamics of Feast of July, explore more movies like it. These period dramas often involve a character seeking shelter, only to ignite passions and secrets that lead to heartbreaking consequences, blending heavy emotional weight with a melancholic tone.

tragicsombertenseoppressivedesperategrievingmelancholicshattered peace

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a fragile equilibrium—often a humble household or closed community—that is disrupted by a new presence. This disruption slowly exposes hidden rivalries, desires, or truths, leading to an inevitable, often violent, collapse of the existing order. The journey is one of gathering storm clouds rather than sudden storms.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a slow-burning domestic or communal tension that escalates into tragedy. They share a melancholic tone, heavy emotional weight, and a pacing that allows the audience to feel the gradual suffocation of hope and the inevitability of the sad or bittersweet conclusion.

Heavy Melancholic Dramas like Feast of July

Emotionally devastating stories where past trauma fuels present despair.Discover movies similar to Feast of July that share its heavy emotional weight and melancholic tone. These films focus on themes of grief, loss, betrayal, and the destructive power of secrets, often featuring characters desperate for a new start but haunted by their past.

melancholicgrievingdesperatesomberlonelyoppressivetragicemotional trauma

Narrative Summary

The emotional journey is defined by a character carrying a heavy burden—often the loss of a child, a secret shame, or a traumatic event. This burden isolates them and poisons their attempts at connection or happiness. The plot revolves around the secret being revealed or the grief resurfacing, causing a cascade of desperate actions and tragic outcomes.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their overwhelmingly melancholic mood and the central theme of a character defined by grief or a shameful secret. The viewing experience is characterized by a slow pace, high emotional intensity, and a conclusion that is bittersweet or bleak, leaving a lasting impression of sorrow and the high cost of secrets.

Unlock the Full Story of Feast of July

Don't stop at just watching — explore Feast of July in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Feast of July is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Feast of July Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Feast of July, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Feast of July Summary

Feast of July Timeline

Track the full timeline of Feast of July with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Feast of July Timeline

Feast of July Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Feast of July that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Feast of July Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Feast of July

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Feast of July: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Feast of July

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Discover movies like Feast of July that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.