Based on a true story it is, in its way, a horror story, this portrait of a dazzling young woman at the mercy of the misfortunes of love and the inequalities of the age in which she lived. Married off as an innocent 17-year-old to a much older man, his only interest in the match is her ability to produce a male heir. Installed within the gilded cage of marriage, she discovers he expresses more affection for his dogs than for her. When the first child is female, he takes a mistress and ignores her, until she finds true love--insisting on his lordly right to thwart her. Although she fights hard for her own piece of happiness, eventually, she has to make a choice many, many women will recognize.

Based on the book "Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire" by Amanda Foreman. Special features: How far she went--Making "The Duchess" [featurette] (23 min.); Georgiana in her own words [featurette] (7 min.); Costume diary [featurette] (6 min.); Previews (13 min.).

Special features: Widescreen version enhanced for 16:9 TVs -- How far she went ... Making The Duchess -- Georgiana in her own words -- Costume diary -- Language: English Dolby digital 5.1 surround ; French Dolby digital 5.1 surround ; Spanish Dolby digital 5.1 surround -- Subtitles: English, French, Spanish.