Solomon and Gaenor

Play trailer

Solomon and Gaenor

R

1999

1h 42m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

"Solomon and Gaenor" tells the moving and passionate story of illicit love between a Welsh girl and a Jewish boy. Gaenor, born into a family of strict chapel-goers, falls for Solomon, a young door-to-door salesman, who conceals his Jewish identity from Gaenor and her family. The couple, from similar yet very distinctive worlds, fall helplessly in love. The odds are against them, however, as the outraged community in which they live conspires to destroy their fragile happiness.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Solomon & Gaenor's tale of star-crossed lovers is admittedly familiar, but the chemistry between its well-chosen leads is enough to break hearts all over again.

Read Critics Reviews

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

2/4

The movie's ending wants to inspire tears, but I was dry-eyed, perhaps as a response to its morose labors. It is one thing to be the victim of fate, and it is another thing to go looking for fate and wrestle it to the ground.

Go to Full Review

Jim Lane

Sacramento News & Review

Aug 7, 2008

2/5

Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

Jul 24, 2006

C+

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Oct 8, 2005

4/5

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jul 1, 2005

3/5

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Dec 28, 2004

3/4

A beautiful, gentle love story, fueled by the palpable chemistry between Gruffudd and Roberts.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Janet d

@JaneDec Jan 26, 2026

I found it beautiful and moving.

See more

Partly S

@RT48462509 Feb 24, 2025

A better and more believable love story than Titanic and more compelling romantic leads (sorry, Leo and Kate). Good casting and a beautiful performance by Ioan Gruffudd.

See more

Apr 28, 2020

Along the lines of Romeo and Juliet...get the Kleenex out for the ending. Nudity and a fight scene...Ioan Gruffudd was outstanding and heartbreaking at the end!

See more

May 27, 2012

All right, if not a bit boring. The ending was very poignant however.

See more

Jun 6, 2011

Heartbreaking, but a bit too predictable.

See more

May 8, 2009

A tragic and powerful forbidden-love story set in early 1900s Wales.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Paul Morrison

Director

Nia Roberts

Gaenor

Sue Jones-Davies

Gwen

William Thomas

Idris

Mark Lewis Jones

Crad

Maureen Lipman

Rezl

Secrets & Lies

95%

91%

Secrets & Lies

Watchlist

Miss Julie

41%

51%

Miss Julie

Watchlist

Besieged

75%

80%

Besieged

Watchlist

Nora

64%

38%

Nora

Watchlist

A Slipping-Down Life

27%

44%

A Slipping-Down Life

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

"Solomon and Gaenor" tells the moving and passionate story of illicit love between a Welsh girl and a Jewish boy. Gaenor, born into a family of strict chapel-goers, falls for Solomon, a young door-to-door salesman, who conceals his Jewish identity from Gaenor and her family. The couple, from similar yet very distinctive worlds, fall helplessly in love. The odds are against them, however, as the outraged community in which they live conspires to destroy their fragile happiness.

Director: Paul Morrison
Producer: Sheryl Crown
Screenwriter: Paul Morrison
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co: Arts Council of Wales, National Lottery, S4C, September Films, Arts Council of England, APT Productions, Channel Four Films
Rating: R (Scenes of Violence|Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 30, 1999, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jan 30, 2001
Box Office (Gross USA): $301.8K
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround, DTS, Dolby Stereo

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings