A distant poor relative of the Duke D'Ascoyne plots to inherit the title by murdering the eight other heirs who stand ahead of him in the line of succession.
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Title: Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Dennis Price | ... | Louis | |
| Valerie Hobson | ... | Edith | |
| Joan Greenwood | ... | Sibella | |
| Alec Guinness | ... | The D'Ascoyne Family: The Duke / The Banker / The Parson / The General / The Admiral / Young Ascoyne / Young Henry / Lady Agatha | |
| Audrey Fildes | ... | Mama | |
| Miles Malleson | ... | The Hangman | |
| Clive Morton | ... | The Prison Governor | |
| John Penrose | ... | Lionel | |
| Cecil Ramage | ... | Crown Counsel | |
| Hugh Griffith | ... | Lord High Steward | |
 |
John Salew | ... | Mr. Perkins |
| Eric Messiter | ... | Burgoyne | |
|
|
Lyn Evans | ... | The Farmer |
| Barbara Leake | ... | The Schoolmistress | |
|
|
Peggy Ann Clifford | ... | Maud |
In prison awaiting execution the next morning, Louis, the 10th Duke of Chalfont, puts down on paper the events that led him to his current situation. His mother has been banished from her family, the D'Ascoynes, after she married Louis' father, who was considered far beneath her. After her death, the D'Ascoynes refused permission for her to be buried in the family crypt. Louis then plots his revenge, and kills all those ahead of him in the succession until he becomes the Duke. Along the way, he becomes involved with the married Sibelia who, when spurned, makes sure he ends up in prison. The day before his execution, Sibelia recants her testimony, saving him not only from the gallows, but also sets him free. Once outside the prison however, he realizes he's forgotten one little thing. Written by garykmcd
"Kind Hearts and Coronets" is really an essay in acting from one of Britain's greatest, Sir Alec Guinness, and what better way to remember him than the film which gave him eight roles to play? True, one or two are barely given time to register before Dennis Price dispatches them (Lady Agatha would have been interesting as a fully rounded character), but those which are developed - Henry, the photography enthusiast in particular, are cleverly played and memorable. Price also does well in his role. The ladies - Joan Greenwood and Valerie Hobson - are excellent. The great strength of this film is in its black humour, and of course in its delicious twist ending. I can't bear to think of it remade with a 2000's gloss.