In an active matrix liquid crystal display device the liquid crystal layer (10) has a non-twisted homogeneously aligned configuration while the liquid crystal cell is placed between two crossed polarizers (26,28) having their transmission direction at 45° with respect to the liquid crystal director at the cell-boundary. A negative birefringent retardation film (34,36) is positioned between the liquid crystal cell and one of the polyrizers in such a way that the optical axis of the retardation film is parallel to the liquid crystal boundary director while the absolute value of the retardation of the retardation film is equal to the effective retardation of the liquid crystal layer when no voltage is applied. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this one retardation film is replaced by two foils (34,36) of the same type which each have a retardation value which is equal to half the retardation value of the one film and which are placed on one side of the liquid crystal cell with their optical axis' parallel to the liquid crystal boundery-director.
To achieve a bright state at high voltage, the liquid crystal retardation is in the range 0.15-0.35 micron, and preferentially in the range 0.20-0.30 micron.