A Touch of Love is a 1969 British drama film directed by Waris Hussein and adapted by Margaret Drabble from her novel The Millstone (1965). The film stars Sandy Dennis, Ian McKellen, Michael Coles, John Standing and Eleanor Bron. It was entered into the 19th Berlin International Film Festival.
Plot
Rosamund Stacey, a young bookish girl in London society, spends her days studying for a doctorate in the British Museum and her nights avoiding the sexual attention of the men in her life. One day, all that changes; through a friend, she is introduced to rising TV newsreader/announcer George Matthews. After a further chance meeting and a tumble on the sofa, she finds herself pregnant from her first sexual encounter. After a failed attempt at self-induced abortion, Rosamund resolves to have the child, leaving her on a solitary and at times discouraging path through pregnancy and into single motherhood, aided only by her close friend Lydia.
Cast
Sandy Dennis as Rosamund
Ian McKellen as George
Michael Coles as Joe
John Standing as Roger
Peggy Thorpe-Bates as Mrs. Stacey
Kenneth Benda as Mr. Stacey
Deborah Stanford as Beatrice
Roger Hammond as Mike
Eleanor Bron as Lydia
Margaret Tyzack as Sister Bennett
Maurice Denham as Doctor Prothero
Rachel Kempson as Sister Harvey
Release
Box office
Milton Subotsky said the film was not a box office success, but since the filmmakers sold it to the distributors for more than its cost, they made a profit. Rosenberg later said it was in his opinion the best film that Amicus produced.