Films A Promise

Subscribe
Advertising Remove ads
A Promise poster

Film · 2013

A Promise

Original titleUne promesse

Directed by Patrice Leconte · starring Rebecca Hall, Alan Rickman and Richard Madden

  • 1 h 38 min
  • 12
  • Drama · Romance
  • FranceBelgium
  • Released in the UK 31 July 2014
  • 4.0 AverageMovieNCo
  • 3.3 Users3 votes
  • 4.8 Critics4 reviews
Watch trailer Where to watch · from £2.49 Rate it

Synopsis

Set in pre-First World War Germany, Hoffmeister (Alan Rickman) is an ailing factory owner, whiskered and respectable. As his energies flag, he looks to a sharp young man in his employ for help. Ludwig (Richard Madden) impresses Hoffmeister with his reliability and youthful spirit, and the older man finds himself leaning more and more on this promising up-and-comer. At the same time, Hoffmeister's young bride (Rebecca Hall) is looking for a tutor for their child, and Ludwig proves both flexible and willing. When he moves into their home, an emotional triangle develops. Societal dignity and decorum must be respected, and it is. Nevertheless, heated passions come into play, while Hoffmeister looks on.

Where to watch A Promise

All the options

Available now in the UK:

Availability checked on 8 November 2026.

The essentials

Runtime
98 min1 hour and 38 minutes
Rating
12Suitable for 12 years and over
How long is A Promise?
1 hour and 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was A Promise released in the UK?
It was released in the UK on 31 July 2014.
Who directed A Promise?
Patrice Leconte.
Who is in A Promise?
It stars Rebecca Hall, Alan Rickman, Richard Madden and Maggie Steed.
Where can I watch A Promise?
In the UK it is available to rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
Advertising Remove ads

Cast

Full cast (12)
Director
Patrice Leconte
Writers
Patrice Leconte, Jérôme Tonnerre
Producers
Olivier Delbosc, Geneviève Lemal

Videos and trailers

See the video
'A promise' trailer 2:071 October 2015

Photos and posters

All 9 photos

Reviews

All 4 reviews
3.3 3 votes

What the critics say average 4.8 from 4 outlets

  • 7.0 El PaísCarlos Boyero "There is a dazzling film, but it is told with sensitivity and charm." Read
  • 4.0 El MundoLuis Martínez "Sunday best and most affectionate drama (...) a perfectly obvious script." Read
  • 4.0 The Hollywood ReporterDavid Rooney "The main drawback is the stunning lack of chemistry between the two hottest points of the love triangle drama of this period (...) Their scenes are full of ornate dialogue but lacking warmth." Read

Soundtrack

All 5 songs
  1. Fidelio Acte II - O Namenlose FreudeNicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia, conducted by, Michael Halász Spotify
  2. O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß BWV 622
  3. Wien bleibt Wien
  4. Wiener-Gemüths-Walzer Opus 116

Trivia

  • 'La promesa' is an adaptation of the novel "A Journey to the Past" by Stefan Zweig, published in 1929.

If you liked A Promise

Advertising Remove ads