The Passionate Friends (1949)

The Passionate Friends were in love when young, but separated, and she married an older man. Then Mary Justin meets Steven Stratton again and they have one last fling together in the Alps.

Director:

David Lean

Writers:

H.G. Wells (novel), Eric Ambler (screenplay),

Stars:

Ann Todd, Claude Rains, Trevor Howard

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ann Todd	...	Mary Justin
Claude Rains	...	Howard Justin
Trevor Howard	...	Professor Steven Stratton
Betty Ann Davies	...	Miss Joan Layton
Isabel Dean	...	Pat Stratton
Arthur Howard	...	Smith - the Butler
Guido Lorraine	...	Hotel Manager
Marcel Poncin	...	Hall Porter
Natasha Sokolova	...	Chambermaid
Hélène Burls	...	Flowerwoman
Jean Serret	...	Emigration Official
Frances Waring	...	Charwoman
Wenda Rogerson	...	Bridge Guest
Helen Piers	...	1st Woman - Albert Hall
Ina Pelly	...	2nd Woman - Albert Hall

Storyline

The Passionate Friends were in love when young, but separated, and she married an older man. Then Mary Justin meets Steven Stratton again and they have one last fling together in the Alps.

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Plot Keywords:

switzerland | forgiveness | professor | lake | picnic | 

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Taglines:

Their affair took on a life of its own.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 1949 (UK)

Also Known As:

One Woman's Story

Filming Locations:

Chamonix, Haute-Savoie, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineguild

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Production began with Ronald Neame as director.

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Connections

Version of The Passionate Friends (1923)

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Soundtracks

"Lover's Moon"
(uncredited)
Music by Richard Addinsell

User Reviews

A story for adults

Invariably this film is bound to be compared to "Brief Encounter" and I guess that's to be expected given they were both directed by David Lean, starred Trevor Howard and featured adultery. Frankly I think any comparison to be unfair because that's where their similarities end. I've seen both and I favor "Passionate Friends". I should add that Ann Todd is not one of my favorite performers. Her demeanor can be expressionless and somewhat off putting. But here she truly shines. In Lean's extensive close ups she reveals inner feelings without uttering a word. And her smiles are explosively radiant. She utterly owns this part. The male parts are equally excellent. All the performances wrap the viewer with their passion and involve him in the characters' fates. This is not light viewing. It's an emotional roller coaster and as the climactic finale unfolded I found myself talking to the screen trying to influence the outcome. Without a doubt this is a story by adults, for adults. Highly recommended.