Permissive (1970): cast, story & where to watch
1970 · Film · ★ 5.4
Released in 1970, Permissive is a drama film directed by Lindsay Shonteff, running about 90 minutes. “Groupie Girls Who Really Want to Make It Big!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. When Suzy arrives in London to visit an old school friend, she is unwittingly plunged into the ruthless world of the 'groupie'. Fuelled by sex, drugs and jealousy, her new lifestyle fosters in her a cold, cynical instinct for survival. But tragedy is never far away. With its effective blend of gritty location work, brooding flash-forward devices, and a soundtrack by cult acid folk and prog rock legends Comus, Forever More - who also star - and Titus Groan, Permissive is a dark British counter-cultural artefact that's shot through with grim authenticity. As a bonus, this release also includes Stanley Long's ultra-rare Bread, a film which, whilst exploring the same cultural milieu as Permissive (and featuring its own bona fide cult British rock band, Juicy Lucy), takes a somewhat more lighthearted approach to its subject.
Who’s in it. Permissive stars Maggie Stride as Suzy, Gilbert Wynne as Jimi, Gay Singleton as Fiona and Alan Gorrie as Lee, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.4/10, Permissive has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In GB you can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and BFI Player. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Permissive page.
If you liked it. Fans of Permissive tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Permissive (1970)?
- In GB, Permissive is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store and BFI Player. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Permissive worth watching?
- Permissive holds an audience score of 5.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Permissive?
- Permissive stars Maggie Stride, Gilbert Wynne, Gay Singleton, Alan Gorrie and Stuart Francis.
- When was Permissive released?
- Permissive was released in 1970, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.