Atonement Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

You can only imagine the truth.

Amy Renner

Last modified: Jun. 22, 2011

Atonement

Release Date: Friday, December 7, 2007

Director: Joe Wright

Starring: Keira Knightley • Betty White • James McAvoy • Brenda Blethyn • Vanessa Redgrave

R Drama 2 hrs, 2 m

5 / 5.0

60% WILL SEE 40% WON'T SEE

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Plot – What's the story about?

Plot: In 1935, 13-year-old fledgling writer Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) and her family live a life of wealth and privilege in their enormous mansion. On the warmest day of the year, the country estate takes on an unsettling hothouse atmosphere, stoking Briony's vivid imagination. Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), the educated son of the family's housekeeper, carries a torch for Briony's headstrong older sister Cecilia (Kiera Knightley). Cecilia, he hopes, has comparable feelings; all it will take is one spark for this relationship to combust. When it does, Briony - who has a crush on Robbie - is compelled to interfere, going so far as accusing Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Cecilia and Robbie declare their love for each other, but he is arrested - and with Briony bearing false witness, the course of three lives is changed forever. Briony continues to seek forgiveness for her childhood misdeed. Through a terrible and courageous act of imagination, she finds the path to her uncertain atonement, and to an understanding of the power of enduring love.

Drama

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Who stars in Atonement – Cast List

Keira Knightley
Never Let Me Go, The Woman in Cabin 10
Betty White
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, The Proposal
James McAvoy
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her, IT Chapter Two
B
Brenda Blethyn
Pride & Prejudice, Plots with a View
Vanessa Redgrave
Foxcatcher, Letters to Juliet
Juno Temple
... Lola Quincey

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, Roofman

Who is making Atonement – Crew List

A look at Atonement behind-the-scenes crew and production team. The film's director Joe Wright last helmed Pride & Prejudice and Cyrano. The film's writer Christopher Hampton last penned The Father and Adore.

Director: Joe Wright
Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton
Producers: Tim Bevan
Eric Fellner
Paul Webster

Studio: Focus Features
Production Companies: —

Production – What we know about the Atonement

Key Facts

Based on a novel by Ian McEwan.

Movie Filming Timeline: Production Status Updates

Dec 2004

Completed

Changed Atonement movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

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Additional Information

Parent Rating: R Restricted for disturbing war images, language and some sexuality
Runtime: 2 hrs, 2 m
Tagline: You can only imagine the truth.
Also known as: Not available
Language: English

Atonement Trailers and Clips

No trailers are currently available.

Atonement Release Date: When was the film released?

Atonement was released in on Friday, December 7 , 2007. There were five other movies released on the same date, including Juno, The Golden Compass and Grace is Gone.