Where Angels Fear to Tread (1991)

After a rich Edwardian widow impulsively marries a handsome but poor Tuscan dentist and dies in childbirth, her English in-laws try to gain custody of the baby.

Director:

Charles Sturridge

Writers:

E.M. Forster (based on the novel by), Tim Sullivan (screenplay),

Stars:

Rupert Graves, Helen Mirren, Helena Bonham Carter

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rupert Graves	...	Philip Herriton
Helen Mirren	...	Lilia Herriton
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Caroline Abbott
Barbara Jefford	...	Mrs. Herriton
Judy Davis	...	Harriet Herriton
Thomas Wheatley	...	Mr. Kingcroft
Sophie Kullmann	...	Irma
Vass Anderson	...	Mr. Abbott
Sylvia Barter	...	Mrs. Theobald
Eileen Davies	...	Ethel
Siria Betti	...	Hotel-Keeper
Giovanni Guidelli	...	Gino Carella
Anna Lelio	...	Perfetta
Luca Lazzareschi	...	Spiridione
Sergio Falasca	...	Carriage Driver

Storyline

Around 1906, the widow Lilia Herriton meets a young man when she visits Italy and marries him. The man is only a dentist without a good name, and Lilia's relatives are clearly unhappy with her choice. Lilia dies while giving birth to a son, and two relatives travel to Italy to take care of of the baby, expecting no trouble from the father.

---

Plot Keywords:

italy | bathing baby | sister in law | forgiveness | bare chested male | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sensuality, violence and theme

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

28 February 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ahol angyal se jár

Filming Locations:

Caprarola Railway Station, Caprarola, Viterbo, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Gross:

$1,403,033 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sovereign Pictures, London Weekend Television (LWT), Stagescreen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Goofs

In a scene outside on the veranda in Gino's house in Italy, Lilia (Helen Mirren) has her back to the view of the countryside. At one point, when the camera is on her, a white van can be seen driving along the road in the distance. It is clearly a 1990s-era vehicle, moving much faster than automobiles of the era could have.

---

Quotes

Mrs. Herriton: [Speaking about Italy] It may be filled with churches and beautiful pictures, but you can only judge a country by its men.

---

Soundtracks

"Lucia di Lammermoor"
(excerpts)
Music by Gaetano Donizetti (as Donizetti)

User Reviews

~*Another Forster Classic Brought to Film*~

Charles Sturridge's adaption of E.M. Forster's classic novel is well in line with such other greats as "Howards End", "A Room With a View", and "A Passage To India". As with all of Forster's work, "Where Angels Fear to Tread" treats the topic of Edwardian British society with poignancy and humour.

Cultures clash when Philip Herriton is forced by his mother to retrieve the only child of his dead sister-in-law, Lilia, from its Italian father. The baby represents both the English and Italian way of life, and the ensuing struggle over it is an analysis of just how futile our own nativist prejudices can be.

Such a sensitive topic is dealt with by a charming cast. Rupert Graves is perfect as a man transformed by his horrific experiences; Helen Mirren is both laughable and lamentable as the tragically flighty Lilia; Helena Bonham-Carter is the soul of goodness, and Judy Davis (a Forster veteran from "A Passage to India") provides comic relief as stuffy Harriet. These fine performances are matched with a beautiful score by Rachel Portman and even more beautiful Italian vistas courtesy of Mr. Sturridge.

Stimulating and provocative, I highly recommend this film to those interested in either Forsters' work or the imperialistic inclinations of the British circa 1900.