A film about self-discovery and triumph based on the popular play.

The final classic from acclaimed director Joseph Losey.


This is a story of a group of women overcoming several obstacles by helping each other out, even if that means just listening. Seven different women whose backgrounds are filled in by flashbacks and narration are together in a steambath on ladies' day. Violet (Diana Dors) is the maternal manager of the steambath, and one of the issues to be resolved is how to save the bath from being shut down by the authorities. Nancy (Vanessa Redgrave) is suddenly a single mother of three after being deserted by her husband. Her good friend Sarah (Sarah Miles) has neither children nor husband, even an ex-husband, yet she can empathize with Nancy's increasing loneliness. Josie (Patti Love) is an outgoing, talkative woman whose sex life is her main interest at the moment, and other women include a somewhat reserved mother-and-daughter duo (Brenda Bruce and Felicity Dean). Personal traumas are revealed and shared, and a plan to save the steambath is also cooked up. This was to be the last film for both Diana Dors and Joseph Losey who died not long after the feature was wrapped.

Steaming is the last film directed by Joseph Losey, released in 1985, the year of his death. It was adapted from Nell Dunn's play by Patricia Losey and Nell Dunn. It was also the last film of actress Diana Dors, who died in 1984. The film was screened out of competition at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival.[1]

The story centred around three women who meet regularly in a steam room and decide to fight its closure. The cast was headed by Vanessa Redgrave and Sarah Miles, along with Diana Dors.

Release Date: September 25, 1985

Distrib: New World Pictures