Girl with a Pearl Earring

Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)

Timing: 1:41 (101 min)

6.602/10
1332

7.224/10
68363

6.9/10
85000

All about film

Video 1

Photo 11

Actors and characters

Release date

2003-12-12

Country

France, Luxembourg, United Kingdom

Production

Pathé, Archer Street Productions, Delux Productions, Wild Bear Films

Genre

Drama, Romance

Budget

$10 500 000

Revenue

$31 466 789

Website

Director

Peter Webber

Actors

Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson, Cillian Murphy, Judy Parfitt, Essie Davis, Joanna Scanlan, Gabrielle Reidy, Chris McHallem, Alakina Mann
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Producer

Anand Tucker, Andy Paterson, François Ivernel, Peter Block, Cameron McCracken, Tom Ortenberg, Duncan Reid, Daria Jovicic, Nick Drake

Operator

Eduardo Serra

Composer

Alexandre Desplat

Artist

Audition

Leo Davis

Editing

Kate Evans
All team (31)

• Although the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer and his depicted painting existed in reality, the film's script is based on Tracy Chevalier's novel and is, accordingly, largely fictional or based on the author's assumptions. Only 35 of Vermeer's paintings have survived to this day, and none of his models have been definitively identified. A reproduction of his famous painting hanging in her bedroom inspired the writer to create her version of the story of its creation based on the information we have about the artist's life. Chevalier sold the rights to her novel and did not wish to participate in the making of the film or the writing of the screenplay, although she later expressed satisfaction with the resulting film.
• Initially, Kate Hudson and Ralph Fiennes were to star in the film, with Mike Newell as the director. During pre-production, Hudson declined to participate in the project, and as a result, the funds allocated to the film were withdrawn. By the time a new source of funding was found, Mike Newell was already committed to another project. After searching for new candidates, Peter Webber took the director's chair and recast the lead female role. His choice fell on Kirsten Dunst, who later also declined the offer due to the success of "Spider-Man" (2002) and its planned sequel. By this time, Ralph Fiennes could no longer wait and had become involved in other projects. Only after this were Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth cast in the leading roles.
• A significant portion of the film was shot on a set in Luxembourg, built for the film "The Proposition" (2004), which was set in Venice. Only minimal changes were made for "Girl with a Pearl Earring" to make the location appear as the Dutch city of Delft.
• The storyline involving Vermeer's friend, played by David Morrissey, was completely cut from the film during final editing.
• The painting that inspired Vermeer, while Griet was cleaning the window of his studio, is called "Woman with a Water Pitcher" and was painted between 1660 and 1662. It is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
• Samantha Morton and Julia Stiles also auditioned for the role of Griet.
• Originally, Kate Hudson and Ralph Fiennes were supposed to star in the film, with Mike Newell as director. During pre-production, Hudson turned down the project, and as a result, the funds allocated to the film were withdrawn. By the time a new source of funding was found, Mike Newell was already busy with another project. After searching for new candidates, Peter Webber took the director's chair and re-held auditions for the lead female role. He chose Kirsten Dunst, who later also turned down the offer due to the success of “Spider-Man” (2002) and the planned sequel. By this time, Ralph Fiennes could no longer wait and was involved in other projects. Only after this were Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth invited to play the lead roles.
• Initially, Kate Hudson and Ralph Fiennes were to star in the film, with Mike Newell as director. During pre-production, Hudson declined to participate in the project, and as a result, the funds allocated to the film were withdrawn. By the time a new source of funding was found, Mike Newell was already committed to another project. After searching for new candidates, Peter Webber took the director's chair and recast the leading female role. He chose Kirsten Dunst, who later also turned down the offer due to the success of "Spider-Man" (2002) and its planned sequel. By this time, Ralph Fiennes could no longer wait and had become involved in other projects. Only then were Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth invited to play the leading roles.
• A significant portion of the film was shot on a set in Luxembourg, built for the film "The Reckoning" (2004), which was set in Venice. Only minimal changes were made for "Girl with a Pearl Earring" to make the location appear as the Dutch city of Delft.