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IMDbPro

The Seventh Veil

  • 19451945
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
The Seventh Veil (1945)
DramaMusic
A concert pianist with amnesia fights to regain her memory.A concert pianist with amnesia fights to regain her memory.A concert pianist with amnesia fights to regain her memory.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
    • Compton Bennett
    • Muriel Box(original story)
    • Sydney Box(original story)
  • Stars
    • James Mason
    • Ann Todd
    • Herbert Lom
    • Compton Bennett
    • Muriel Box(original story)
    • Sydney Box(original story)
  • Stars
    • James Mason
    • Ann Todd
    • Herbert Lom
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 54User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar

    Photos83

    James Mason and Ann Todd in The Seventh Veil (1945)
    James Mason and Ann Todd in The Seventh Veil (1945)
    The Seventh Veil (1945)
    Ann Todd in The Seventh Veil (1945)
    Ann Todd in The Seventh Veil (1945)
    Ann Todd in The Seventh Veil (1945)
    David Horne and Manning Whiley in The Seventh Veil (1945)
    Herbert Lom in The Seventh Veil (1945)
    Ann Todd in The Seventh Veil (1945)
    Ann Todd in The Seventh Veil (1945)
    Ann Todd and Herbert Lom in The Seventh Veil (1945)
    Ann Todd in The Seventh Veil (1945)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Mason
    James Mason
    • Nicholas
    Ann Todd
    Ann Todd
    • Francesca
    Herbert Lom
    Herbert Lom
    • Dr. Larsen
    Hugh McDermott
    Hugh McDermott
    • Peter Gay
    Albert Lieven
    Albert Lieven
    • Maxwell Leyden
    Yvonne Owen
    • Susan Brook
    David Horne
    David Horne
    • Dr. Kendall
    Manning Whiley
    Manning Whiley
    • Dr. Irving
    Grace Allardyce
    • Nurse
    Ernest Davies
    • Parker
    John Slater
    John Slater
    • James
    Arnold Goldsborough
    • Conductor
    Muir Mathieson
    • Conductor
    Beatrice Varley
    Beatrice Varley
      Margaret Withers
          • Compton Bennett
          • Muriel Box(original story) (screenplay)
          • Sydney Box(original story) (screenplay)
        • All cast & crew
        • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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        Storyline

        Edit

        Did you know

        Edit
        • Trivia
          James Mason and Ann Todd had an affair while working on the film, as disclosed by Todd to Sheridan Morley when he was writing his 1989 biography of Mason, "Odd Man Out".
        • Goofs
          When Peter writes a note to Francesca in a nightclub, she turns it over and writes her reply on its back. When Peter holds up the note to read her answer, however, its back is blank; his original note is missing.
        • Quotes

          Dr. Larsen: Dr. Kendall, a surgeon doesn't operate without first taking off the patient's clothes, nor do we with the mind. You know what, uh, Staples says? The human mind is like Salome at the beginning of her dance, hidden from the outside world by seven veils: veils of reserve, shyness, fear. Now with friends, the average person will drop first one veil, then another, maybe three or four altogether. With a lover, she will take off five, or even six, but never the seventh. Never, you see the human mind likes to cover its nakedness too and keep its private thoughts to itself. Salome drops her seventh veil of her own free will, but you will never get the human mind to do that, and that is why I use narcosis. Five minutes under narcosis and down comes the seventh veil. Then we can see what is actually going on behind it. Then we can really help.

        • Connections
          Featured in James Mason: The Star They Loved to Hate (1984)

        User reviews54

        Review
        Review
        Featured review
        10/10
        Seventh Veil Reveals Deep Seated Emotions on a Lighter Scale!
        My companions and I thoroughly enjoyed watching this classic movie last night! It came through as a compelling drama, from the premise to the finale. Contrary to the majority of reviews of this movie I've read so far via the internet sites, I found the movie quite enjoyable and thought provoking.

        All nitpicking and analysis aside, it told a compelling story, albeit, in the genre of other stories or a universal theme, involving a over-possessive mentor and protégé--similar to the stories of the Phantom of the Opera or My Fair Lady (Pygmalion.)

        But, so what? It got my attention. It was good story telling with compelling acting. It reeled me in, and I willingly went with the flow.

        I think it should not be compared to our modern day standards of psychology, perhaps, or our understanding of what hypnosis does or doesn't provide for a patient. Maybe, we need to simply view it from the perspective of that era or day. Fit into the shoes of the moviegoer in the mid 1940s, instead.

        Using back flashes, hypnosis to reveal the patient's (Francesca James) history, in order to unravel the reason for Francesca's "catatonic" state or phobic fear of playing piano, works well as a tool.

        We experience the natural unraveling of the main characters plight through a compelling story about Francesca Cunningham (Ann Todd), a concert pianist's life so far, and how her past reveals the likely causes for her current mental state.

        The austere scenes including the stately home of Nicholas, demonstrating wealth with no heart, the concert halls, are excellent settings for the interaction between the players and their characters. It all provided rich fodder for building their characters--though there was only time for quick studies in the movie.

        The character of Francesca carried quite a heavy bag of deep rooted emotions--between her desire for music, for love with a man, her compulsion to stay put under the tutelage and power of Nicholas, her guardian (James Mason), intertwined or constricted by her ambivalent feelings and inner turmoil.

        She appears to show an ambivalent, resistance to her guardian's obsessive or "stay or go" attitude, which ultimately leads to her breakdown and suicide attempt.

        From the first days when Francesca, a fourteen year old young woman who is left as an orphan, arrives at his home, Nicholas thrusts her into his personal web or emotional prison--holding her hostage to his own desires for music and achievement. He drives her, unrelentingly and abusively, to achieve music excellence as a career, concert pianist.

        It appears to be for her ultimate good, as he points out repeatedly over the years of her emotional captivity. Or we are led to consider that in fact, it is because of his own agenda as an embittered man and unfulfilled musician himself.

        Against her will, in the beginning, Cousin Nicholas, forces or compels her to study and practice piano.She, therefore, studies for years under his "driven" and austere direction--avoiding relationships and normal activities. Her inner life is stunted.

        Everything in her life appears to be based on her guardian's demands and the power he seems to have over her. She relinquishes all interest or desire to have a normal life, until she meets and is pursued and wooed by the character played by Peter Gay, an American musician living in England. He breaks through her barrier of shyness and austerity.

        To some movie reviewers or critics, this may be a over the top, stylized or melodramatic film, but it is intense and there is a mood created by the sets.

        We get the picture of her life with James Mason, Cousin Nicolas, who plays the part with his ever-present aloofness and sinister delivery. Ann Todd is fine. She doesn't reveal much through her dialogue, but looks can say a lot, as they say. The eyes have it.

        The music is incredible, and after perusing the web, I finally discovered who was her double as the pianist, Eileen Joyce, who didn't get any credit in the film for her superb playing which made the film a winner. In any case, Ann Todd did a great job of faking it as the real pianist.

        The cast of characters, including the Doctor, Herbert Lom, the portrait artist, the American musician, and of course, James Mason as the overly dominant and and cold-hearted, Nicholas, et al, do their parts in unwinding or weaving this tale.

        In the end the Seventh Veil is not only lifted from Francesca, but also from Nicholas as her mentor, and subsequent savior of sorts. She returns to him as her trustee and real love. A little melodrama from British films in the 1940s never hurt anyone. It's fun also.

        Frankly, if you enjoy classic films, and if you just want to enjoy the ambiance and storyline, and don't want to analyze too much, this is a fine film for an old fashioned, classic movie night at at home, along with friends. Curl up and enjoy. I highly recommend it.
        helpful•37
        6
        • PizazzPR
        • Aug 15, 2006

        FAQ5

        • What is 'The Seventh Veil' about?
        • Is "The Seventh Veil" based on a book?
        • What does "the seventh veil" mean?

        Details

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        • Release date
          • February 15, 1946 (United States)
          • United Kingdom
          • English
        • Also known as
          • Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London, England, UK
        • Production companies
          • Ortus Films
          • Sydney Box Productions
        • See more company credits at IMDbPro

        Box office

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        See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

        Technical specs

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        • 1 hour 34 minutes
          • Black and White

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