Produced by Samuel Goldwyn and directed by Irving Reis, 1948’s Enchantment featured an amazing cast which included David Niven, Teresa Wright, Farley Granger, Jayne Meadows, Evelyn Keyes and Leo G. Carroll.
The story of the film centers around the residents of an elegant Belgravia townhouse during both World Wars. While in London, American servicewoman, Grizel Dane (Evelyn Keyes) seeks out her aged granduncle, General Sir Roland “Rollo” Dane (played by David Niven). She finds Rollo to be quite disagreeable at first, however, he reluctantly allows her to stay with him in the house. During her visit, Roland recounts two tales from his youth. The first concerns his father’s adoption of a young orphan girl, Lark Ingoldsby. Lark is a lovely young thing, and Rollo’s sister, Selina takes an immediate dislike to her—resenting the attention she received from both Rollo and their brother, Pelham.
Rollo explains that as Lark grew up, she became all the more charming and beautiful. The adult Lark was played by Teresa Wright. Selina (played by Jayne Meadows) treated Lark as she would a servant. However, Pelham and Rollo recognized Lark’s intellect and desire to have a more comfortable life. Rollo, in fact, formed an extremely close bond with the girl. However, he soon departed for the Great War—leaving Lark behind. During his absence, Pelham begins to have romantic feelings for Lark who politely rebuffs him, preferring the attentions of a young Italian nobleman.
In the “present,” Rollo becomes involved in the relationship between Grizel and a wounded serviceman (Farley Granger). He tries to impress upon them the fleeting natures of love and of time. He recounts his missed opportunity with Lark whom he, too, loved deeply. Grizel, encouraged to seek her love, rushes out into the streets during a bomb raid. As the bombs fall, the picture ends with a very shocking twist.
This is truly a wonderful film. The writing is superb—based on a novel by Rumer Godden. What I find particularly lovely about this picture is that the house itself is really the central character. The opening narration is from the house’s point of view—a very clever device which perfectly demonstrates the nature of domestic life during times of peace and times of turmoil.
2 comments:
Dashwood
said...
This really is a beautiful movie and each role is played perfectly throughout the ages of the characters. And the sets are fantastic. The clocks used in each room alone are enough to capture an antique lover's attenton.
That's true, Dashwood. Sometimes I have trouble paying attention to the plot in films like this because I'm busy looking at the sets. You're right about the clocks, too. I wonder where they are now.
2 comments:
This really is a beautiful movie and each role is played perfectly throughout the ages of the characters. And the sets are fantastic. The clocks used in each room alone are enough to capture an antique lover's attenton.
That's true, Dashwood. Sometimes I have trouble paying attention to the plot in films like this because I'm busy looking at the sets. You're right about the clocks, too. I wonder where they are now.
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