IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
A wife neglected by her husband, a medical researcher in China, falls in love with a dashing diplomatic attaché.A wife neglected by her husband, a medical researcher in China, falls in love with a dashing diplomatic attaché.A wife neglected by her husband, a medical researcher in China, falls in love with a dashing diplomatic attaché.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- John Meehan(screen play)
- Salka Viertel(screen play)
- Edith Fitzgerald(screen play)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- John Meehan(screen play)
- Salka Viertel(screen play)
- Edith Fitzgerald(screen play)
- Stars
Robert Adair
- Polo Playeras Polo Player
- (scenes deleted)
Mariska Aldrich
- German Teacheras German Teacher
- (scenes deleted)
Maidena Armstrong
- Germanas German
- (scenes deleted)
Billy Bevan
- Bridegroomas Bridegroom
- (scenes deleted)
Beulah Bondi
- Frau Koerberas Frau Koerber
- (scenes deleted)
W.H. Davis
- Germanas German
- (scenes deleted)
Vernon Dent
- Chief of Policeas Chief of Police
- (scenes deleted)
- Director
- Writers
- John Meehan(screen play)
- Salka Viertel(screen play)
- Edith Fitzgerald(screen play)
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
In Austria, Katrin is lonely after her sister's marriage and she agrees to marry her father's research associate Dr. Walter Fane. Fane takes her to China but constantly ignors her in favour of his medical research. Lonely Katrin has an affair with Jack Townsend of the British Embassy. When it is discovered by Walter he becomes very bitter. Fane travels to fight a cholera epidemic and Katrin goes with him and helps. They grow closer together than ever before but Walter is knifed in a riot incited by the burning of a cholera infested town. Now their new found happiness will depend on Walter's survival. —Gary Jackson <garyjack5@cogeco.ca>
- Taglines
- SHE SEIZED THE LOVE That Is Every Woman's Birthright! (Print Ad- The Lodi News, ((Lodi, Calif.)) 9 January 1935)
- Genres
- Certificate
- Passed
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaQueen Christina (1933) and The Painted Veil (1934) were both huge hits in Europe (making twice their budget in the UK alone), but were underwhelming US successes.
- GoofsA box is marked "Scotch Whiskey," which is the American spelling of whiskey. In the United Kingdom, however, it is spelled with no 'e' and is simply "whisky." Therefore, had the whisk(e)y been imported directly from Scotland, it should have had the 'whisky' spelling.
- Quotes
Katrin Koerber Fane: [after Townsend impulsively kisses Katrin] How could you?
Jack Townsend: I could.
- Crazy creditsGarbo's name in the opening credits uses a font that forms the same Gothic arch in the letters as is used in Maugham's symbol. The other credits also use this to a lesser extent.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Good Earth (1937)
- SoundtracksBridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)
(1850) (uncredited)
from "Lohengrin"
Written by Richard Wagner
Played as background music in the wedding scene
Top review
Maugham's story, much improved.
The best adaptation of Maugham may be "The Letter," but this version of "The Painted Veil," which substantially changes his ending, is very nearly as good-- as subtle, as elegant, and as satisfying as a work of art. Both examine the profound differences and similarities that exist between passion and love, but this film goes deeper, looking at the glory that ensues when, at length, love and passion bloom together.
Much credit goes to William Daniels, who was D.P. for directors from Stroheim to Ichikawa to Bud Yorkin. His framing and silvery lighting give even greater weight to the superb performances by Garbo and the masterful Herbert Marshall. Together Daniels and director Boleslawski allow the two actors to deliver the very affecting and very adult dialog with rare dignity and feeling.
The two kitchen scenes in particular, one in the first sequence, and one near the end, are flawless, and all the better because of being parallels, and because the dialog employs the sheer force of elemental simplicity. In the second scene,when cholera-fighting Marshall finally speaks of his wife's infidelity, he humbly takes some of the blame, saying, "I went blind a little mad. But if all the men who were hurt simply quit — bad business." Garbo at last begins to understand and replies, "Being in love, and letting it smash things as I have, I thought it had the right of way, I really did." She finally realizes that passion, such as hers for her lover, can be both deeply felt and utterly shallow.
One more note about the visual genius on display. A standard cliché, fireworks,is used to suggest orgasm, but it is done as brilliantly and thrillingly as I've ever seen: three or four bursts of sparks shoot into the frame, like nothing so much as ejaculation.
Much credit goes to William Daniels, who was D.P. for directors from Stroheim to Ichikawa to Bud Yorkin. His framing and silvery lighting give even greater weight to the superb performances by Garbo and the masterful Herbert Marshall. Together Daniels and director Boleslawski allow the two actors to deliver the very affecting and very adult dialog with rare dignity and feeling.
The two kitchen scenes in particular, one in the first sequence, and one near the end, are flawless, and all the better because of being parallels, and because the dialog employs the sheer force of elemental simplicity. In the second scene,when cholera-fighting Marshall finally speaks of his wife's infidelity, he humbly takes some of the blame, saying, "I went blind a little mad. But if all the men who were hurt simply quit — bad business." Garbo at last begins to understand and replies, "Being in love, and letting it smash things as I have, I thought it had the right of way, I really did." She finally realizes that passion, such as hers for her lover, can be both deeply felt and utterly shallow.
One more note about the visual genius on display. A standard cliché, fireworks,is used to suggest orgasm, but it is done as brilliantly and thrillingly as I've ever seen: three or four bursts of sparks shoot into the frame, like nothing so much as ejaculation.
helpful•152
- Irie212
- Oct 25, 2009
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $947,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 25 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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