THE BRUTAL TRUTH ABOUT VERA DRAKE; A new film portrays a 1950s abortionist as kindly and altruistic. Those who saw the suffering such women caused beg to differ.

From: The Daily Mail (London, England) | Date: January 7, 2005 | Copyright information

Byline: NATALIE CLARKE

AYOUNG pregnant woman lies huddled on a bed in a dank flat in North London, petrified at the prospect of what is about to happen. This is 1950s Britain and, like everyone else, she has heard all the horror stories about back-street abortions.

She expects the abortionist to be a tough, contemptuous woman who will treat her in the most brutal fashion in return for her two guineas.

Instead, she gets Vera Drake - a frail-looking, middle-aged lady who wouldn't dream of taking her money but just wants to do a good turn.

Nor does Vera produce ...

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