The Browning Version (1951)

Forced to retire from an English public school. a disliked professor must confront his utter failures as a teacher, a husband, and a man.

Director:

Anthony Asquith

Writers:

Terence Rattigan (by), Terence Rattigan (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Redgrave, Jean Kent, Nigel Patrick

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 7 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michael Redgrave	...	Andrew Crocker-Harris
Jean Kent	...	Millie Crocker-Harris
Nigel Patrick	...	Frank Hunter
Wilfrid Hyde-White	...	Frobisher (as Wilfrid Hyde White)
Brian Smith	...	Taplow
Bill Travers	...	Fletcher
Ronald Howard	...	Gilbert
Paul Medland	...	Wilson
Ivan Samson	...	Lord Baxter
Josephine Middleton	...	Mrs. Frobisher
Peter Jones	...	Carstairs
Sarah Lawson	...	Betty Carstairs
Scott Harold	...	Rev. Williamson
Judith Furse	...	Mrs. Williamson

Storyline

Andrew Crocker-Harris, a classic teacher in a British school, is a man hounded by a heart ailment, and by his wife's disloyalty, who is pursuing a science teacher. He has lost his feeling for the emotions of others and his understanding of the boys he is there to teach.

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Plot Keywords:

school | teacher | student | love | boy | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1951 (UK)

Also Known As:

Konflikt des Herzens

Filming Locations:

Dorset, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Javelin Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film of Sarah Lawson.

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Quotes

Frobisher: A good chap, Hunter, in many ways but no sense of discipline and of course like all scientists a trifle narrow minded.

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Connections

Version of Skuggan av en man (1958)

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Soundtracks

"Symphony No. 5"
(uncredited)
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Arranged by Kenneth Essex
De Wolfe Music Ltd

User Reviews

The crowning version.

I do not think the 1994 remake is so appalling.But it cannot hold a candle to this one,for sure,though.Part of the reason can be found,IMHO,in how the two directors deal with the main character.THe color version gambles on Albert Finney's performance and overlooks the rest of the cast which is not that much exciting in the first place (M.Modine is rather bland).Here ,the whole cast is outstanding ,from the young guy who plays the student to Jean Kent,a bitchy wife ,from Nigel Patrick's bewildered science teacher who becomes a human being during the movie to Wilfrid Hyde-White's (whatever a precedent user's view on the matter)mischievous,suave and finally cruel headmaster.

Of course Michael Redgrave steals the show ,but he gets good support all along the way.His performance is subdued,but emotionally intense ,and if you do not shed a tear during his final speech,you must have a heart of stone.The black and white cinematography and the stifling atmosphere give the tragedy the three unities (place,time and action) and an inventive directing makes us forget it's a play,like in the best Mankiewicz works.