The Fountain

19341934
ApprovedApproved
1h 23m

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

116

YOUR RATING

Drama Romance

Set during the first World War in neutral, but pro-German, Holland, Lewis Allison, an interned British officer, is paroled to the castle of Baron Von Leyden and finds living there, but now m... Read allSet during the first World War in neutral, but pro-German, Holland, Lewis Allison, an interned British officer, is paroled to the castle of Baron Von Leyden and finds living there, but now married to German officer Rupert Von Narwitz, his childhood sweetheart Julie. Long discussi... Read allSet during the first World War in neutral, but pro-German, Holland, Lewis Allison, an interned British officer, is paroled to the castle of Baron Von Leyden and finds living there, but now married to German officer Rupert Von Narwitz, his childhood sweetheart Julie. Long discussions between Julie and Allison, centering on family conflicts that kept them apart, take pl... Read all

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

116

YOUR RATING

Director
- John Cromwell
Writers
- Samuel Hoffenstein(dialogue)
- Charles Morgan(novel)
- Jane Murfin(adaptation)
Stars

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Photos10

Brian Aherne and Ann Harding in The Fountain (1934)

Brian Aherne, Ann Harding, and Paul Lukas in The Fountain (1934)

Violet Kemble Cooper, Sara Haden, Ann Harding, and Paul Lukas in The Fountain (1934)

Brian Aherne, Ralph Forbes, Ann Harding, and Jean Hersholt in The Fountain (1934)

Ann Harding and Jean Hersholt in The Fountain (1934)

Ann Harding and Paul Lukas in The Fountain (1934)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The war bulletin read at the tennis match is a report of the Battle of Jutland. This took place in 1916. Although the British lost more ships than the Germans, it was a strategic victory for the Royal Navy as it maintained its numerical advantage over the German Navy. The German Navy retreated to harbour, leaving the Royal Navy in command of the area. The German Navy remained inactive and in harbour until the end of the war. Though not a total victory for the British, it has been argued that it was a strategic victory for them.

Soundtracks
For He's A Jolly Good Fellow
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by the prisoners to the commandant

User reviews6

Review

Featured review

Stunning Ann Harding in Moving Story

THE FOUNTAIN is a sombre film set during WW I with Ann Harding as an English woman married to a German officer. She meets, after many years, an old friend (Brian Aherne) and falls in love. He's British, but they're staying at the house of her relatives in Holland (neutral during WW I) after he's been "pardoned" from a prisoner of war camp (an odd extended opening sequence that goes nowhere).

Everything seems fine since she never loved her husband (Paul Lukas) but then they get word he's been hideously wounded and is coming home to die. What ensues brings out the best and the worst in various household members. Co-stars include Jean Hersholt, Violet Kemble Cooper, Sara Haden, Ralph Forbes, Ferike Boros, and Frank Reicher.

Harding is radiant and lovingly photographed. She gives a sad and touching performance here. Harding remains one of the most undeservedly forgotten stars of the 30s. Lukas gives one of his best performances. Aherne is solid and utters the final line, one of hope, "England is beautiful in the spring."

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