The present invention provides a liquid crystal display that prevents
false colors and has a wide viewing angle, display screen contrast that
does not decline, and excellent productivity. The liquid crystal display,
comprising a liquid crystal cell, a sheet-shaped optically anisotropic
body positioned on only one side of the liquid crystal cell, and a pair
of light polarizers located on both sides of the liquid crystal cell,
wherein the optically anisotropic body satisfies the relationship of
n.sub.x>n.sub.y>n.sub.z at wavelength of 550 nm, where n.sub.x is
in-plane refraction index of lag axis direction, n.sub.y is refraction
index of the direction perpendicular to the lag axis in the plane, and
n.sub.z is refraction index of the thickness direction; and has a local
minimal value in wavelength range of 380 to 490 nm and monotonous
increase in both the short wavelength and long wavelength directions from
the wavelength that shows the local minimal value, in wavelength
characteristics of frontal direction retardation for light in wavelength
range of 380 to 780 nm.