Ash Wednesday (1973): cast, story & where to watch
1973 · Film · ★ 5.6
Released in 1973, Ash Wednesday is a mystery film directed by Larry Peerce, running about 99 minutes. “Surgery took years off her face. But can it save her marriage?” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Barbara gets secret plastic surgery in Switzerland in an attempt to save her marriage to Mark, but he doesn't seem interested in meeting her. She checks in to a ski resort to wait for Mark, and begins getting attention from young men. Her daughter tries to warn her that even though she has had the surgery it might be too late for her marriage, but she clings to the hope that Mark will come back once he sees her new look. Meanwhile, she must decide whether or not have an affair with a young man she's met.
Who’s in it. Ash Wednesday stars Elizabeth Taylor as Barbara Sawyer, Henry Fonda as Mark Sawyer, Helmut Berger as Erich and Keith Baxter as David, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.6/10, Ash Wednesday has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Ash Wednesday page.
If you liked it. Fans of Ash Wednesday tend to enjoy Se7en, Psycho, Rear Window and Oldboy.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Ash Wednesday (1973)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Ash Wednesday change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Ash Wednesday worth watching?
- Ash Wednesday holds an audience score of 5.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy mystery. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Ash Wednesday?
- Ash Wednesday stars Elizabeth Taylor, Henry Fonda, Helmut Berger, Keith Baxter and Maurice Teynac.
- When was Ash Wednesday released?
- Ash Wednesday was released in 1973, with a runtime of about 99 minutes.