The characterization of Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) orientation films in terms of the optical retardation as a function of the LB depositing velocity has been studied, and the surface anchoring strength of the LB films for a nematic liquid crystal has been estimated. The optical retardation decreases as the LB depositing velocity increases. In contrast, the anchoring strength increases as the LB depositing velocity increases. The macroscopic anchoring strength may not have a positive correlation with the optical retardation which reflects the microscopic orientational order. Furthermore, we succeeded in generating the high pretilt angle by only using the LB method. The pretilt angle gradually decreases with increasing the depositing velocity.