[1] The plot involves the experiences of the title character, Hedda (Jackson), the daughter of a general, who is trapped in a marriage and a house that she does not want.

[4] AllMovie rated the film 3-stars-out-of-5 and described it as "a tasteful, literate cinematic translation of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler.

Her command of her voice and her body," and concluded, "the physical production is handsome, and Mr. Nunn is most successful in preserving the claustrophobic nature of the play without creating a static film.

"[6] Judith Crist of Saturday Review wrote: "a startlingly fresh and perceptive version written and directed by Trevor Nunn and ingeniously interpreted by Jackson.

J.C. Trewin wrote in The Illustrated London News: "No Hedda, seeking an object she cannot determine, has been more infinitely bored, or more dangerous.