Rembrandt (1936)

This character study joins the painter at the height of his fame in 1642, when his adored wife suddenly dies and his work takes a dark, sardonic turn that offends his patrons. By 1656, he ... See full summary »

Director:

Alexander Korda

Writers:

Carl Zuckmayer (film play), June Head (scenario)

Stars:

Charles Laughton, Gertrude Lawrence, Elsa Lanchester

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Laughton	...	Rembrandt
Gertrude Lawrence	...	Geertje
Elsa Lanchester	...	Hendrickje
Edward Chapman	...	Fabrizius
Walter Hudd	...	Banning Cocq
Roger Livesey	...	Beggar Saul
John Bryning	...	Titus
Sam Livesey	...	Auctioneer
Herbert Lomas	...	Rembrandt's Father
Allan Jeayes	...	Tulp
John Clements	...	Flinck
Raymond Huntley	...	Ludwick
Abraham Sofaer	...	Menasseh
Lawrence Hanray	...	Heertsbeeke
Austin Trevor	...	Marquis

Storyline

This character study joins the painter at the height of his fame in 1642, when his adored wife suddenly dies and his work takes a dark, sardonic turn that offends his patrons. By 1656, he is bankrupt but consoles himself with the company of pretty maid Hendrickje, whom he's unable to marry. Their relationship brings ostracism but also some measure of happiness. The final scenes find him in his last year, 1669, physically enfeebled but his spirit undimmed.

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Plot Keywords:

painter | father son relationship | morality | rembrandt | poverty | 

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Taglines:

Give Me a Beautiful Woman ! and I will make men worship and gaze upon her forever ... One mad moment of love brought him a lifetime of fear !!!!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Büyük Ates-Rembrandt

Filming Locations:

Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System Noiseless Wide Range Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sam Livesey, the father of three other actor's in this movie Roger Livesey, Barry Livesey and Jack Livesey died the day after the release of this movie in London.

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Goofs

When Rembrandt reveals the newly completed painting, 'The Night Watch', we see not the full, original version that he in fact painted, but the drastically butchered version that was made over 40 years after his death, when the painting was moved from its original exhibition space in the Kloveniersdoelen to a less capacious display space in the Amsterdam Town Hall in 1715.

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Quotes

Rembrandt van Rijn: What is success? A soldier can reckon his success in victories, a merchant in money. But my world is insubstantial. I live in a beautiful, blinding, swirling mist.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: In the seventeenth century Holland was a world power, her ships carried treasure to Amsterdam from all parts of the earth. But her proudest glory was the son of a miller from Leyden, Rembrandt Van Rijn, the greatest painter that has ever lived. He died in obscurity, his belongings no more than a few shillings.

Today no millionaire is worth the money the works of Rembrandt would realise, if ever offered for sale.

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Connections

Featured in The Private Life of a Masterpiece: The Night Watch (2004)

User Reviews

A Superb Movie

This was a superbly acted movie. I happened across it on TCM and was instantly sucked in. The dialogue was written very well and beautifully portrayed by all of the actors. This is not a typical movie from 1936 with over the top deliveries from the talent. I just can't say enough about it.

Additionally, it was shot very nicely. Keep in mind that this is a very old movie, but the black and white photography is put together in an almost Rembrandt way.

If you haven't seen Rembrandt then go and get it. You won't be disappointed. Well done!