The Body Beautiful
1991, English. Directed by Ngozi Onwurah.
This bold, stunning exploration of a white mother who undergoes a radical mastectomy and her Black daughter who embarks on a modeling career reveals the profound effects of body image and the strain of racial and sexual identity on their charged, intensely loving bond. At the heart of Onwurah’s brave excursion into her mother’s scorned sexuality is a provocative interweaving of memory and fantasy. The filmmaker plumbs the depths of maternal strength and daughterly devotion in an unforgettable tribute starring her real-life mother, Madge Onwurah.
- Runtime
- 0h 25m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch The Body Beautiful
The Body Beautiful is streaming on BFI Player in India.
BFI Player Amazon Channel
Kanopy
The Roku ChannelAvailability in India as of 11 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Ngozi OnwurahDirector
- Madge OnwurahNarrator (voice) Mother/Herself
- Rosie RowellNarrator (voice) Daughter
- Sian Ejiwunmi-Le BerreThe Daughter (as Sian Martin)
- Brian BovellYoung Man
- Maureen DouglassYoung Mother
- Valentine NonyelaPeter
- Louis AltinsonCast
- Linda DobsonCast
- Richard GrayCast
- Haley McKayCast
- Michael McKayCast
- Nina McKayCast
Details
- Released
- 3 October 1991
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Written by
- Ngozi Onwurah
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
If you liked The Body Beautiful
Hounddog
2008 · 6.5/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Safety of Objects
2002 · 6.5/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
1999 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Iron Jawed Angels
2004 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Trials of Cate McCall
2013 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Bastard Out of Carolina
1996 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Lucky Them
2013 · 6.0/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
A Dry White Season
1989 · 6.7/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Girl in the Book
2015 · 5.8/10
SnoozefestRecommended by TMDB viewers
Tuesday
2024 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Body Beautiful: quick answers
Is The Body Beautiful worth watching?
The Body Beautiful doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Body Beautiful?
The Body Beautiful runs 25 minutes (0h 25m).
Does The Body Beautiful have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Body Beautiful. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Body Beautiful parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Body Beautiful yet.
Which OTT platform is The Body Beautiful on?
The Body Beautiful is streaming on BFI Player in India. (Checked 11 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Body Beautiful?
If you liked The Body Beautiful, try Hounddog, The Safety of Objects, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.
Who directed The Body Beautiful?
The Body Beautiful (1991) was directed by Ngozi Onwurah and stars Madge Onwurah, Rosie Rowell, Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre.