Severed Head, A (1970, U.K.)

Based on the novel by Iris Murdoch, and directed by Dick Clement.  This black comedy about the sexual escapades of upper crust Brits is a terrific satire of swinging 60’s London.

Antonia (Lee Remick) is having an affair with her husband’s best friend, Palmer (Richard Attenborough), who is also her psychiatrist.  This agonises her husband, Martin (Ian Holm).  His longstanding mistress Georgie (Jennie Linden) is ecstatic with the hope that Martin, now free from Antonia, will marry her.  However  Martin is too busy trying to woo his wife back to pay much attention to Georgie.  So Georgie is now free to explore other partners.

Throw in a few more characters/love partners: Martin’s brother, and Palmer’s sister (Clive Revill and Claire Bloom), and the finale of this boudoir version of musical chairs becomes impossible to guess!