Telling Tales Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: Telling Tales
| Movie | Telling Tales |
| Release Year | 1978 |
| Director | Richard Woolley |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 89 minutes (1h 29m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Telling Tales (1978) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Telling Tales are led by Bridget Ashburn . The supporting cast, including James Woolley and Patricia Donovan , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While Telling Tales does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Telling Tales has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Telling Tales
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1978, Telling Tales is a Drama film directed by Richard Woolley. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Bridget Ashburn as Sheila Jones.
Ending Explained: Telling Tales
Telling Tales Ending Explained: TELLING TALES is about the failing marriage of an industrialist and his wife, about the industrialist's wish to sell his company to a colleague, Paul Roberts, and about the terminally ill wife of Paul, Ingrid. Directed by Richard Woolley, this 1978 drama film stars Bridget Ashburn (Sheila Jones), alongside James Woolley as Mr Willoughby/Paul Roberts, Patricia Donovan as Mrs Willoughby/Ingrid Roberts, Stephen Trafford as Bill Jones. Rated 5.5/10, the conclusion has sparked discussion among viewers.
What Happens at the End of Telling Tales?
TELLING TALES is about the failing marriage of an industrialist and his wife, about the industrialist's wish to sell his company to a colleague, Paul Roberts, and about the terminally ill wife of Paul, Ingrid. It is also about the shop steward organising a strike at Paul's factory that jeopardises the deal with the industrialist, and about the wife of the shop steward, who happens to clean and cook for the industrialist. A network of intertwined tales told in different ways, and for very different motives, by the main protagonists.
Richard Woolley's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Bridget Ashburn (Sheila Jones)'s journey. It is also about the shop steward organising a strike at Paul's factory that jeopardises the deal with the industrialist, and about the wife of the shop steward, who happens to clean and cook for the industrialist.
How Does Bridget Ashburn (Sheila Jones)'s Story End?
- Bridget Ashburn: Bridget Ashburn's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- James Woolley (Mr Willoughby/Paul Roberts): James Woolley's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Patricia Donovan (Mrs Willoughby/Ingrid Roberts): Patricia Donovan's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Telling Tales Mean?
The ending of Telling Tales brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Bridget Ashburn's story may not satisfy all audiences.
Telling Tales Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Telling Tales Based on a True Story?
No, Telling Tales is a work of fiction. While the drama film directed by Richard Woolley and starring Bridget Ashburn may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch Telling Tales?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
At just 89 minutes, it's a quick watch.
Telling Tales Parents Guide & Age Rating
1978 AdvisoryWondering about Telling Tales age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Telling Tales (1978) is 89 minutes (1h 29m). Directed by Richard Woolley, the film runs for 89 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.5/10, and global performance metrics, Telling Tales is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1978 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Telling Tales worth watching?
Telling Tales is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.5/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Telling Tales parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Telling Tales identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Telling Tales (1978)?
The runtime of Telling Tales (1978) is 89 minutes (approximately 1h 29m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
