Movie Flashback 'Scandal' 1989 based on British 'Profumo' Affair

SCANDAL distributed by MIRAMAX in the U.S. (1989). This is a fictional docu-drama based on Britain's "Profumo" Affair (1961-64). John Profumo (Ian Mckellen) was the Minister-of-War for the Conservative British Party. Yevgeny Ivanov (Jeroen Krabbé ) was a Soviet Naval Attaché. The Cold War was still in play between Russia and the rest of the World.

Christine Keeler (Joanne Whalley-Kilmer) was groomed by Stephen Ward (John Hurt) who was a wealthy doctor. He took her out of London's local strip clubs. He then introduced her to influential men within the Conservative Party of British Parliament. Christine had an affair with both Profumo and Ivanov. She was investigated by police because they were afraid Christine might've given sensitive British information to the Russian Attaché.

John Profumo lied about the affair but soon resigned from Parliament. The Conservative Party was then over-taken by the Labor Party with the next election 1964. Stephen was charged with living off the money of Keeler who was labeled a prostitute. He became the scapegoat by introducing young women to government officials.

"Scandal" started out as a British TV mini-series. It was never made because of the sensitive historical facts. The story was shortened into a movie script. The production budget climbed to $7 million. It made $3.7 million in the United Kingdom and $8.8 million in the U.S.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) first gave "Scandal" an adult X-Rating. Filmmakers had cut several seconds off of the sex orgy scene. It was then distributed with an R-Rating for Independent U.S theaters. The Uncut-Version came out on VHS Home Video Rentals. It grabbed a whole new audience. I walked into an independent movie theater at Portland, Oregon to watch it.

"Scandal" captured the 1960's era perfectly. The sex orgy and all that nudity looks pretty tame in 2023.... Back in 1989 though. It was kind of salacious because of Censorship and the true story. Sex, Politics and Money has not changed... (This is one of my favorite films of the 1980's).

(Below) Movie Trailer for "Scandal" 1989.

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DVD cover of the Un-Rated Version. Joanne Whalley-Kilmer as Christine Keeler. The photo duplicates the true portrait Keeler did back in the 1960's.

A cut scene from the film. Bridget Fonda as Mandy Rice-Davies. Joanne Whalley-Kilmer as Christine Keeler.

A dangerous affair.. Ian McKellen as John Profumo. Joanne Whalley-Kilmer as Christine Keeler.