Perhaps the two greatest stars of British cinema, Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, come together for the third and final time in Alexander Korda's extravagant period piece drama depicting the tragic romance between Lady Emma Hamilton and Lord Horatio Nelson. Married at the time, they certainly had chemistry, though it is not as apparent as you might think. Indeed, the entire tone of the film is quite subtle; most of the great scenes involve simple dialogue and soft music in the background. With such charismatic actors and a strong story to support, that is all that's needed.
Many would say Leigh outshines her husband in this role and it's hard to disagree with that. In every scene, she shows what a brilliant and engaging actress she was before personal troubles brought her career to an abrupt ending. Whether black and white or color, Leigh always looks stunning and commands all her scenes. Olivier is always strong as the heroic Lord Nelson, leader of the British fleet that was constantly at war with Napoleon's French navy. However, the story concerns itself more with the relationship between these two strong-willed, determined people.
One of the aspects so interesting is the way in which the affair is conducted. Despite the obvious resistance from their respective spouses, neither Lady Hamilton nor Nelson do anything rash or outrageous. They continue their own ways of life and seemingly accept the cards they've been dealt. It shows the manner of the times; there is no attempt to create a better life for themselves together at the expense of those who helped them make it. Honor and loyalty remain, yet at the center is a blossoming and passionate romance that seems to be the antithesis of society. Also, with Olivier and Leigh, they create sympathy for characters that shouldn't receive it.
The question to ask is what does a film like this attempt to do? For starters, it establishes a well-defined tone throughout the story and draws us in completely. For the entire running time, the film never lags and is always engaging and interesting. Certainly Korda wasn't expecting to make any kind of great masterpiece. Yet perhaps he did. Supposedly this was Winston Churchill's favorite film and was seen at the time of its release as war propaganda against Germany. However you look at it, it is clearly a timeless love story thanks in no small part to its timeless actors.
Many would say Leigh outshines her husband in this role and it's hard to disagree with that. In every scene, she shows what a brilliant and engaging actress she was before personal troubles brought her career to an abrupt ending. Whether black and white or color, Leigh always looks stunning and commands all her scenes. Olivier is always strong as the heroic Lord Nelson, leader of the British fleet that was constantly at war with Napoleon's French navy. However, the story concerns itself more with the relationship between these two strong-willed, determined people.
One of the aspects so interesting is the way in which the affair is conducted. Despite the obvious resistance from their respective spouses, neither Lady Hamilton nor Nelson do anything rash or outrageous. They continue their own ways of life and seemingly accept the cards they've been dealt. It shows the manner of the times; there is no attempt to create a better life for themselves together at the expense of those who helped them make it. Honor and loyalty remain, yet at the center is a blossoming and passionate romance that seems to be the antithesis of society. Also, with Olivier and Leigh, they create sympathy for characters that shouldn't receive it.
The question to ask is what does a film like this attempt to do? For starters, it establishes a well-defined tone throughout the story and draws us in completely. For the entire running time, the film never lags and is always engaging and interesting. Certainly Korda wasn't expecting to make any kind of great masterpiece. Yet perhaps he did. Supposedly this was Winston Churchill's favorite film and was seen at the time of its release as war propaganda against Germany. However you look at it, it is clearly a timeless love story thanks in no small part to its timeless actors.