Thursday, May 12, 2005

"The Browning Version"


Here's an excellent synopsis of today's film, from The Criterion Collection
Michael Redgrave gives the performance of his career in Anthony
Asquith’s adaptation of Terence Rattigan’s unforgettable play. Redgrave portrays Andrew Crocker-Harris, an embittered, middle-aged schoolmaster who begins to feel his life has been a failure. Diminished by poor health, a crumbling marriage, and the derision of his pupils, the once brilliant scholar is compelled to reexamine his life when a young student offers an unexpected gesture of kindness. A heartbreaking story of remorse and atonement, The Browning Version is a classic of British realism and the winner of Best Actor and Best Screenplay honors at the 1951 Cannes Film Festival.

1 comment:

Dr. Stephen Ogden said...

Hmm .. good point about the film. Much of modernism has that theme (Joyce's "Ulysses" e.g.) But the arc of fiction we are looking at here very much expresses that anxiety, as we shal see. Please bring your good observation up in seminar...