Disclosed is an optical compensator for a liquid crystal display having improved optical properties, comprising a transparent polymeric support bearing an orientation layer and a photochemically cured optically anisotropic layer, in that order, wherein a photochemically cured barrier layer is present between the orientation layer and the support, and wherein the barrier layer, as disposed on the support, exhibits an indentation modulus of less than 2 GPa. The invention further provides a compensator comprising a transparent polymeric support, an orientation layer, and a photochemically cured optically anisotropic layer, in that order, wherein a photochemically cured barrier layer is present between the orientation layer and the support, and wherein there is present a compliant layer softer than the barrier layer adjacent to the support side of the barrier layer, and further comprises a compensator containing two or more compensator layers, with or without an adjacent compliant layer and a process for making the foregoing.