Liquid crystal display device operating in a vertically aligned mode

A liquid crystal display device, comprising:

• a first substrate and a second substrate sandwiching a liquid crystal layer therebetween;
• a first polarizer disposed adjacent to said first substrate at a side opposite to a side of said first substrate facing said liquid crystal layer, with a first gap between said first polarizer and said first substrate;
• a second polarizer disposed adjacent to said second substrate at a side opposite to a side of said second substrate facing said liquid crystal layer, with a second gap between said second polarizer and said second substrate;
• at least one of said first and second gaps including therein a first retardation film having a positive optical anisotropy and a second retardation film having a negative optical anisotropy, such that said first gap includes therein at least said first retardation film and such that said second gap includes therein at least said second retardation film,
• said liquid crystal layer comprising a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy in such a manner that molecules of said liquid crystal are aligned generally perpendicularly to said first and second substrates in a state in which an external electric field is not applied,
• said first polarizer and said second polarizer being disposed such that an optical absorption axis of said first polarizer and an optical absorption axis of said second polarizer cross with each other perpendicularly,
• an in-plane retardation axis of said first retardation film being oriented generally perpendicular with said optical absorption axis of said first or second polarizer that is disposed at the same side of said first retardation film with regard to said liquid crystal layer.