The Libertine

The Libertine

Year: 2005

Runtime: 114 min

Language: English

Director: Laurence Dunmore

Drama

The story follows John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, a notorious figure known for his extravagant lifestyle and numerous romantic relationships. Commissioned by King Charles II to write a play, Rochester’s sharp wit and satirical observations lead him on a challenging journey. He confronts difficult choices as he balances personal freedom with the constraints of loyalty and the court's expectations, navigating a world of power, pleasure, and peril.

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Timeline & Setting – The Libertine (2005)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Libertine (2005). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1670s–1680s

Set in the late 1670s through the early 1680s, the story situates John Wilmot within the court of King Charles II. It reflects the Restoration era's mix of theatrical flourishing, political maneuvering, and personal decadence. The timeline spans Rochester's rise, satire, decline, and death, against a backdrop of shifting royal favor and parliamentary tension.

Location

London, England, English countryside

The action centers in London during the Restoration, with scenes in bawdy houses and theatres, and in political spaces like the House of Lords. Some sequences move to the English countryside where Rochester hides while ill, underscoring the era's mix of urban indulgence and rural retreat. The setting is defined by courtly intrigue, patronage of the arts, and a culture of libertine excess.

🗺️ London setting 🕰️ 17th century 🏛️ Restoration era

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:09

Main Characters – The Libertine (2005)

Meet the key characters of The Libertine (2005), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester

A brilliant but self-destructive wit and libertine, Rochester leads a circle of bon vivants and theater lovers. His appetite for drink, sex, and provocation drives his art and his clashes with authority. As illness and disillusion mount, his charm masks a deep fear of insignificance and mortality.

🍷 Debauchery 🧠 Wit 🕴️ Privilege

King Charles II

The Restoration monarch who both profits from Rochester's talents and resents his satire. He alternately enjoys patronage of the arts and confronts the poet on stage when his image is mocked. His political instincts propel court intrigue and parliamentary battles that shape the era.

👑 Monarchy 🎭 Patronage

Elizabeth Barry

A gifted actress whose career is revived by Rochester's coaching. She becomes a focus of the royal theatre world and a personal revelation for Rochester, ultimately concealing and discovering truths about love, power, and legitimacy.

🎭 Actress ❤️ Romance

Alcock

A street thief whom Rochester hires as a gentleman, his dishonesty and streetwise cunning expose the moral looseness of the period. The character embodies the opportunistic underbelly of Restoration London.

🗡️ Thief 🧭 Schemer

Billy Downs

An 18-year-old new member of the Merry Gang, whose life is cut short when he is mortally wounded in a sword fight. Rochester warns him that such company will be deadly, foreshadowing the costs of their libertine circle.

👶 Youth 🕊️ Naivety

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:09

Major Themes – The Libertine (2005)

Explore the central themes of The Libertine (2005), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🍷 Hedonism

A central thread is the pursuit of pleasure through drink, sex, and spectacle. Rochester's life is a constant tasting of excess, and the Merry Gang embodies a culture where wit and libertinism outrank restraint. The film uses opulence, debauched parties, and bawdy performances to critique power, fame, and moral limits.

👑 Power

Power dynamics drive the plot as the king and Parliament manipulate culture, art, and personal lives. Charles II seeks monuments and control, even as he relies on Rochester's talent. The satire on the king's reign and the political maneuvering reveals how authority collides with personal freedom.

🎭 Theatre

The theatre world is both a stage and a battleground. Elizabeth Barry's career shows how performance can elevate or ruin a life, while Rochester writes a savage 'monument' to the king that tests loyalty and artistic integrity. The film explores performance, mentorship, and the power of audience reception.

💀 Mortality

Rochester's syphilitic illness marks the physical and moral decline that follows lavish excess. The mask he wears hides disfigurement and vulnerability, culminating in a dying bedside scene that reframes his life as a tragic ascent and fall. The film uses death to question the value of reputation and fame.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:09

Unlock the Full Story of The Libertine

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Libertine 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 The Libertine is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Libertine Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Libertine, 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.

The Libertine Summary

The Libertine Timeline

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The Libertine Timeline

More About The Libertine

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More About The Libertine

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