In order to provide a phase difference compensating element that has durability and that can improve contrast in a liquid crystal display with high precision while suppressing high costs and long lead times, the present invention is provided with, on a substrate, a first optical anisotropic layer that acts as a C-plate and a second optical anisotropic layer that includes a birefringent film formed by depositing an inorganic material, wherein the birefringent film included in the second optical anisotropic layer is fabricated using specific processes.