Leave All Fair Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for Leave All Fair.
Leave All Fair Ending Explained: John Middleton Murry visits France to finalize the publication of a collection of his late wife, Katherine Mansfield's, letters and journals. Directed by John Reid, this 1985 drama film stars John Gielgud (John Middleton Murry), alongside Jane Birkin as Marie Taylor, Katherine Mansfield, Féodor Atkine as Andre de Sarry, Simon Ward as young John. With a 8.5/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of Leave All Fair?
John Middleton Murry visits France to finalize the publication of a collection of his late wife, Katherine Mansfield's, letters and journals. The publisher's girlfriend Marie (who physically resembles Mansfield) and Murry become friends. Marie gradually learns that Murry not only profited greatly from his publication of Mansfield's writings, but that as her editor he sacrificed the real Mansfield to his own romantic dream, and even that he published her letters and journals against her expressed wishes.
John Reid's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on John Gielgud (John Middleton Murry)'s journey. The publisher's girlfriend Marie (who physically resembles Mansfield) and Murry become friends.
How Does John Gielgud (John Middleton Murry)'s Story End?
- John Gielgud: John Gielgud's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with John Reid delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 30m runtime.
- Jane Birkin (Marie Taylor, Katherine Mansfield): Jane Birkin's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Féodor Atkine (Andre de Sarry): Féodor Atkine's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Leave All Fair Mean?
Leave All Fair concludes with John Reid reinforcing the drama themes established throughout the film. The final moments with John Gielgud leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.