Of Human Bondage (1964)

Director:

Ken Hughes

Writer:

W. Somerset Maugham (novel)

Release Date:

4 July 1964 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

HE SWORE HE'D NEVER TOUCH HER AGAIN ... AND THEN SHE WHISPERED HIS NAME AND HE WAS LOST ...

Plot:

Medical student Philip fall in love with Mildred, a waitress. Although she is a flirt, they have a love affair...

Plot Keywords:

Prostitute | Medical Student | Waitress | Femme Fatale | Paris France

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Kim Novak	...	Mildred Rogers
Laurence Harvey	...	Philip Carey
Robert Morley	...	Dr. Jacobs
Siobhan McKenna	...	Nora Nesbitt
Roger Livesey	...	Thorpe Athelny
Jack Hedley	...	Griffiths
Nanette Newman	...	Sally Athelny
Ronald Lacey	...	'Matty' Mathews
Olive White	...	Griffith's Girlfriend
Norman Smythe	...	Cadaver Room Attendant
David Morris	...	Young Phillip Carey

Also Known As:

W. Somerset Maugham's of Human Bondage (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:X | West Germany:16 (f) | USA:Approved | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios

Movie Connections:

Featured in C'eravamo tanto amati (1974)

Not Bette Davis, but sometimes that's a *good* thing!

It is unfortunate that the 1934 version of this film has become the precedent by which all following adaptations seemed to be judged. This version does not try to imitate the "classic" and is an entirely different animal (making up for many of the flaws in the original).

Whereas Bette Davis portrayed Mildred as an over-the-top shrew, Kim Novak gave her an almost childlike naivety. It is not that Mildred wants purposely to hurt men but rather that she simply does not know how to behave better. Novak's interpretation gives Mildred the much needed humanity that was absent in the first version. Since Mildred now has genuine moments of kindness, it is much easier to see how Philip (Laurence Harvey) becomes obsessed with her.

Harvey, however, is greatly miscast in this film. As a crippled young man who likes art and helping people through medicine, Philip has a great deal of sensitivity (as seen through Leslie Howard's performance in the original). But Harvey, the actor who relished in being unlikable, is completely unable to deliver this. He fared much better in grimy roles ("Walk on the Wild Side," "Darling") and so he is only convincing in the scenes where he yells and slaps Mildred. (Given the reports that Harvey and Novak loathed each other, it is easy to see why these scenes are the most convincing). He is terrible, however, at looking smitten.

Performances aside, this version is refreshingly modern. Rather than glaze over the seedier bits to appease the censors, you will actually hear words like `whore' and `syphilis.' The final scenes are quite touching too, thanks in part to Novak's humility (she truly looks decrepit towards the end). The score cascades a little too loud and often though in all the pivotal scenes and this version would have benefited greatly from a more realistic approach.

This is a must see if you are a fan of the story and Kim Novak. Somerset Maugham supposedly adored Novak's interpretation of Mildred and it truly is a refreshing take on Of Human Bondage.