Hilary and Jackie Poster

Hilary and Jackie 1998

★ 6.5113 votes121 min📅 1998-12-30

"The true story of two sisters who shared a passion, a madness, and a man."

Hilary and Jackie (1998) dramatizes the complex, heart-wrenching bond between two sisters whose lives intertwine with genius, sacrifice, and personal cost.

Director: Anand Tucker

Cast

Emily Watson
Emily Watson
Jackie Du Pré
Rachel Griffiths
Rachel Griffiths
Hilary Du Pré
James Frain
James Frain
Daniel Barenboim
David Morrissey
David Morrissey
Kiffer Finzi
Charles Dance
Charles Dance
Derek Du Pré
Celia Imrie
Celia Imrie
Iris Du Pré
Rupert Penry-Jones
Rupert Penry-Jones
Piers Du Pré
Bill Paterson
Bill Paterson
Cello Teacher
Auriol Evans
Young Jackie
Keylee Jade Flanders
Young Hilary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hilary and Jackie (1998) about?

The film follows the extraordinary life of Jacqueline du Pré, a prodigious cellist whose career blazed brightly before multiple sclerosis cut it short. Told from the perspective of her sister Hilary, it reveals the personal sacrifices, ethical dilemmas, and emotional toll behind the public persona of genius.

Who directed Hilary and Jackie?

Anand Tucker directed this emotionally charged drama, bringing a grounded, intimate style to the story of the du Pré sisters.

Who stars in Hilary and Jackie?

The film features Emily Watson in the standout role of Jacqueline du Pré, with Rachel Griffiths as her sister Hilary, supported by James Frain, David Morrissey, and Charles Dance.

Is Hilary and Jackie (1998) worth watching?

For fans of biographical dramas and character-driven cinema, Hilary and Jackie is a compelling watch. Watson's transformative performance and the film's poignant exploration of family and ambition make it a memorable, if bittersweet, experience.

How long is Hilary and Jackie?

Hilary and Jackie runs for 121 minutes, offering a concise yet immersive narrative.

🎥 Trailer

About Hilary and Jackie (1998) — A Moving Portrait of Sisterhood and Sacrifice in Classical Music

Hilary and Jackie (1998) dramatizes the complex, heart-wrenching bond between two sisters whose lives intertwine with genius, sacrifice, and personal cost. Directed by Anand Tucker, this intimate drama unfolds through the eyes of flutist Hilary du Pré-Finzi, who recounts her sister Jacqueline's remarkable rise as a world-famous cellist and the devastating toll of multiple sclerosis. Emily Watson delivers a powerhouse performance as Jackie, capturing both her luminous artistry and the poignant vulnerability beneath her public persona. With Rachel Griffiths as Hilary, the film explores themes of love, rivalry, and the sacrifices demanded by artistic ambition.

Set against the golden age of classical music, the story blends biographical authenticity with emotional depth, painting a portrait of brilliance and frailty. The sisters' shared passion for music becomes both a lifeline and a source of tension, while their intertwined fates challenge notions of loyalty and personal fulfillment. Tucker's sensitive direction infuses the film with a melancholic warmth, making it as much a meditation on family as it is on fame.