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IMDbPro

The Stars Look Down

  • 19401940
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
The Stars Look Down (1940)
  • Drama
Davey Fenwick (Sir Michael Redgrave) leaves his mining village on a university scholarship intent on returning to better support the miners against the owners. But he falls in love with Jenn... Read allDavey Fenwick (Sir Michael Redgrave) leaves his mining village on a university scholarship intent on returning to better support the miners against the owners. But he falls in love with Jenny (Margaret Lockwood) who gets him to marry her and return home as local schoolteacher bef... Read allDavey Fenwick (Sir Michael Redgrave) leaves his mining village on a university scholarship intent on returning to better support the miners against the owners. But he falls in love with Jenny (Margaret Lockwood) who gets him to marry her and return home as local schoolteacher before finishing his degree. Davey finds he is ill-at-ease in his role, the more so when he r... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Carol Reed
  • Writers
    • A.J. Cronin(from the book by)
    • J.B. Williams(screen play)
    • A. Coppel(scenario)
  • Stars
    • Michael Redgrave
    • Margaret Lockwood
    • Edward Rigby
Top credits
  • Director
    • Carol Reed
  • Writers
    • A.J. Cronin(from the book by)
    • J.B. Williams(screen play)
    • A. Coppel(scenario)
  • Stars
    • Michael Redgrave
    • Margaret Lockwood
    • Edward Rigby
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 18User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Photos8

    The Stars Look Down (1940)
    The Stars Look Down (1940)
    The Stars Look Down (1940)
    The Stars Look Down (1940)
    Margaret Lockwood, Nancy Price, Michael Redgrave, and Edward Rigby in The Stars Look Down (1940)
    The Stars Look Down (1940)
    The Stars Look Down (1940)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Redgrave
    Michael Redgrave
    • Davey Fenwickas Davey Fenwick
    Margaret Lockwood
    Margaret Lockwood
    • Jenny Sunleyas Jenny Sunley
    Edward Rigby
    Edward Rigby
    • Robert Fenwickas Robert Fenwick
    Emlyn Williams
    Emlyn Williams
    • Joe Gowlanas Joe Gowlan
    Nancy Price
    Nancy Price
    • Martha Fenwickas Martha Fenwick
    Allan Jeayes
    Allan Jeayes
    • Richard Barrasas Richard Barras
    Linden Travers
    Linden Travers
    • Mrs. Laura Millingtonas Mrs. Laura Millington
    Cecil Parker
    Cecil Parker
    • Stanley Millingtonas Stanley Millington
    Milton Rosmer
    Milton Rosmer
    • Harry Nugent, MPas Harry Nugent, MP
    George Carney
    George Carney
    • Slogger Gowlanas Slogger Gowlan
    • (as George Carnay)
    Ivor Barnard
    Ivor Barnard
    • Weptas Wept
    Olga Lindo
    Olga Lindo
    • Mrs. Sunleyas Mrs. Sunley
    Desmond Tester
    Desmond Tester
    • Hughie Fenwickas Hughie Fenwick
    David Markham
    David Markham
    • Arthur Barrasas Arthur Barras
    Aubrey Mallalieu
    Aubrey Mallalieu
    • Hudspethas Hudspeth
    Kynaston Reeves
    • Strotheras Strother
    Clive Baxter
    • Pat Reedyas Pat Reedy
    James Harcourt
    • Willas Will
    • Director
      • Carol Reed
    • Writers
      • A.J. Cronin(from the book by) (adaptation)
      • J.B. Williams(screen play) (scenario)
      • A. Coppel(scenario)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Carol Reed disowned this movie, calling it "a gloomy little piece". He expected it to be a box-office disaster and was highly surprised when wartime audiences warmed enthusiastically to it.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Richard Barras: Well, Fenwick, will the men work tomorrow?

      Robert Fenwick: Not if its to be in Scupper Flats, Mr. Barras.

      [indicating a well-dressed union official]

      Richard Barras: Even against your union?

      Robert Fenwick: The union isn't being asked to work in Scupper Flats. On the other side of that coal seam is a million tons of flood water ready to rush right down on top of us.

      Richard Barras: You don't think I'd take a chance in floodin' me own mine, do you, Fenwick?

      Robert Fenwick: Well, show us the plans of them old workings, then!

    • Alternate versions
      The U.S. release included additional narration spoken by an uncredited Lionel Barrymore.
    • Connections
      Version of ...e le stelle stanno a guardare (1971)

    User reviews18

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Parts of this are quite good; I've read English version is better
    I have to begin this review by saying I saw the U.S. edit of the movie. According to wikipedia, the unfortunate intro and outro are not in the English version, and there's an extra scene at the end.

    Once you get past the useless introductory speech, this movie begins quite well, portraying a grim world and immediately giving one a feel for the plight of the miners.

    For me, a difficulty came with the introduction of Margaret Lockwood's character. I admit there are selfish, empty headed people in the world, but they make for poor film characters. Fortunately it's a fairly small role, but it felt unnecessary to have her at all. She represents a melodramatic streak that unfortunately runs through the movie and lessens the overall impact.

    While some parts were problematic, other parts are terrific, such as the mother's stoic attitude as her son goes off to college in which you see her feelings only when no one is looking. And the inevitable disaster is impressively handled.

    I also didn't find Michael Redgrave complete believable. I'm not convinced he could develop such an upperclass accent no matter how hard he studied at the local schools.

    While worth seeing, this could have been a better movie with a little less melodrama.
    helpful•5
    2
    • cherold
    • Sep 2, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 16, 1940 (Sweden)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Zvezde gledaju sa neba
    • Filming locations
      • Cumbria, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Grafton Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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