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Saraband For Dead Lovers Details

1948 Certificate U
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 62 members

A historical romance of star-crossed lovers set in the days of George I. A memorable tribute to Stewart Granger who died on August 16th, 1993. Based on the novel by Helen Simpson. Read more

Starring Stewart Granger, Joan Greenwood, Flora Robson, Peter Bull
Director Basil Dearden, Michael Relph
Genres Drama

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Saraband For Dead Lovers cover art

Saraband For Dead Lovers

A historical romance of star-crossed lovers set in the days of George I. A memorable tribute to Stewart Granger who died on August 16th, 1993. Based on the novel by Helen Simpson.

Starring Stewart Granger, Joan Greenwood, Flora Robson, Peter Bull, Francoise Rosay, Anthony Quayle, Michael Gough
Director Basil Dearden, Michael Relph
Studio OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 32 mins
Certificate Certificate U
Genres Drama
Released DVD: 07 May 2007
Production year: 1948
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews of Saraband For Dead Lovers

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  • One of Ealing Studios' most lavish period pieces. A sombre, romantic drama about the arranged marriage between the... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
    • Posted 04 Nov 2008

  • Most helpful member's review of Saraband For Dead Lovers

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  • 7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    A Great British Movie of the 1940s

    'Saraband for Dead Lovers' is one the great British movies. Its treatment of the story of Sophie, the wife of the German aristocrat who became George II, raises the movie well above the average British costume film. Its superb colour photography, its sumptous representation of Hanovarian court life and aits top-notch sows British film 'technicians' working at the top of their form. Stewart Granger later stated that it was the only film he starred in that he was proud of and one can see why.

    Unfortunately, although it garnered respectable reviews at the time, it bombed at the box-office. After its failure, Ealing Sudios' boss Michael Balcon issued an edict that the company would make no more expensive costume pictures. The period dramas the British and American public were used to seeing from British studios of the time were corny melodramas such as 'The Wicked Lady' and 'The Man in Grey'. 'Saraband' was much more sophisticated than these bodice-ripping yarns, perhaps too sophisticated for its intended mass audience.

    It is not an action picture although Granger is allowed a few fencing scenes. The focus is on the repression and politicking of the court with its tragic consequences for the two lovers, Sophie and the Swedish count played by Granger. In some ways, it is quite a radical movie because it shows the lengths that the ruling classes will go to protect their lineage and extend their power base.

    All in all, a terrific British movie, I recommend it to all those iinterested in movies from the golden age of British cinema, the 1940s.

      • Donald Shiach from LONDON
      • Posted 06 Jul 2007 09:59

  • Most recent members' review of Saraband For Dead Lovers

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  • Rated - 3 stars

    Ealing's historical romance

    A bit puzzling why this is not a more satisfying film, as it has a lot going for it: a big budget, lavish designs of the Hanoverian Court (by Michael Relph), a cast of interesting and accomplished players, and a compelling story. Presumably Michael Balcon thought he might duplicate the success of 'Mayerling' (unhappy love affair in Central European court) but this was not what happened.

    The story of Sophie Dorothea, the discarded wife of the Hanoverian prince who later became George 1 of England, was perhaps too downbeat to be widely popular, even when she was played by that most delightful of British actresses, Joan Greenwood. In fact she looks somewhat ill at ease in the role, and there is not much chemistry between her and Granger as Konigsmark. His performance lacks subtlety, and it was probably a mistake not to cast a more voluptuous actress than Flora Robson as Countess Platen. Francoise Rosay, Frederick Valk and Peter Bull, however, are excellent, and there is a sterling supporting cast and no expense has been spared with the production. The result is thoughtful rather than involving.

      • A customer from Lewes
      • Posted 29 Aug 2009 13:57

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Rating breakdown

62 Member ratings
  • 100
4
  • 90
2
  • 80
11
  • 70
15
  • 60
13
  • 50
9
  • 40
3
  • 30
1
  • 20
2
  • 10
2

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      • A historical romance of star-crossed lovers set in the days of George I. A memorable tribute to Stewart Granger who died on August 16th, 1993. Based on the novel by Helen Simpson....