Hard Labour poster
Where to stream

Hard Labour

6.719731h 11mMovieDramaTV Movie

A quiet and put-upon house cleaner breaks her silence.

DirectorMike Leigh
WriterMike Leigh
ProducerTony Garnett

Where to watch

Criterion ChannelCriterion ChannelBritbox Apple TV channelBritbox Apple TV channel
Availability shown for Canada · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Mike Leigh

LSLiz Smith
Liz Smith
Mrs. Thornley
CK
Clifford Kershaw
Mr. Thornley
PHPolly Hemingway
Polly Hemingway
Ann Thornley
BHBernard Hill
Bernard Hill
Edward Thornley
ASAlison Steadman
Alison Steadman
Veronica Thornley
VH
Vanessa Harris
Mrs. Stone
CV
Cyril Varley
Mr. Stone
LBLinda Beckett
Linda Beckett
Julie
BKBen Kingsley
Ben Kingsley
Naseem
AEAlan Erasmus
Alan Erasmus
Barry
RP
Rowena Parr
June
JW
June Whittaker
Mrs. Rigby

More from Liz Smith · Lead actress

Casualty
Casualty
1986 · 6.2
Crown Court
Crown Court
1972 · 5.7
Play for Today
Play for Today
1970 · 6.6
The Bill
The Bill
1984 · 6.8
Screen Two
Screen Two
1985 · 7.1
Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
1973 · 7.2
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2005 · 7.0
The Sweeney
The Sweeney
1975 · 8.1
Performance
Performance
1991 · 6.3
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries
1987 · 6.6
See all fromLiz Smith

More from Clifford Kershaw · Co-star actor

Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
1973 · 7.2
Playhouse
Playhouse
1974 · 7.0
The Sweeney
The Sweeney
1975 · 8.1
Bill Brand
Bill Brand
1976 · 7.2
A Ghost Story for Christmas
A Ghost Story for Christmas
1971 · 7.4
Days of Hope
Days of Hope
1975 · 7.0
Scorpion Tales
Scorpion Tales
1978 · 7.2
David Copperfield
David Copperfield
1974 · 5.8
Wednesday Love
Wednesday Love
1975
Sweeney 2
Sweeney 2
1978 · 6.2
See all fromClifford Kershaw

More from Mike Leigh · Director

Play for Today
Play for Today
1970 · 6.6
Playhouse
Playhouse
1974 · 7.0
Happy-Go-Lucky
Happy-Go-Lucky
2008 · 6.6
Mr. Turner
Mr. Turner
2014 · 6.5
Secrets & Lies
Secrets & Lies
1996 · 7.6
Naked
Naked
1993 · 7.3
Hard Truths
Hard Truths
2024 · 6.4
Another Year
Another Year
2010 · 7.0
Vera Drake
Vera Drake
2004 · 7.2
All or Nothing
All or Nothing
2002 · 7.1
See all fromMike Leigh

More like this

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2011 · 6.9
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2016 · 6.7
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2021 · 7.4

Hard Labour — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams Hard Labour?

Hard Labour is streaming on Criterion Channel and Britbox in Canada. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is Hard Labour on Netflix?

No, Hard Labour is not on Netflix in Canada as of October 2026. It's currently on Criterion Channel and Britbox.

Is Hard Labour on Amazon Prime Video?

No, Hard Labour isn't on Amazon Prime Video in Canada right now. It's on Criterion Channel and Britbox instead.

Where can I watch Hard Labour for free?

Hard Labour is available on Criterion Channel and Britbox in Canada, but you'll need an active subscription — there's no free option right now.

Is there a sequel to Hard Labour?

Yes — Hard Labour is followed by Nuts in May (1976) in the Mike Leigh's Play For Today.

Is there a prequel to Hard Labour?

Hard Labour is the first film in the Mike Leigh's Play For Today.

Is Hard Labour part of a trilogy?

No — Hard Labour is part of the Mike Leigh's Play For Today, which has 6 films.

How many movies are in the Mike Leigh's Play For Today?

There are 6 films in the Mike Leigh's Play For Today: Hard Labour (1973), Nuts in May (1976), The Kiss of Death (1977), Abigail's Party (1977), Who's Who (1979) and Home Sweet Home (1982).