The End of the Affair (1955)

In WW2 London, a writer falls in-love with the wife of a British civil servant but both men suspect her of infidelity with yet another man.

Director:

Edward Dmytryk

Writers:

Graham Greene (from the novel by), Lenore J. Coffee (screenplay) (as Lenore Coffee)

Stars:

Deborah Kerr, Van Johnson, John Mills

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Deborah Kerr	...	Sarah Miles
Van Johnson	...	Maurice Bendrix
John Mills	...	Albert Parkis
Peter Cushing	...	Henry Miles
Michael Goodliffe	...	Smythe
Stephen Murray	...	Father Crompton
Charles Goldner	...	Savage
Nora Swinburne	...	Mrs. Bertram
Frederick Leister	...	Dr. Collingwood
Mary Williams	...	Maid
Laurence Shiel	...	Doctor (as O'Donovan Shiell)
Elsie Wagstaff	...	Bendrix Landlady
Christopher Warbey	...	Lancelot Parkis
Nan Munro	...	Mrs. Tomkins
Joyce Carey	...	Miss Palmer

Storyline

In war-torn London, Maurice Bendrix (Van Johnson) falls in love with neighbor Sarah Miles (Deborah Kerr). They begin an illicit romance behind Sarah's husband's back. While war does not last forever, neither does love in this existentialist tale.

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Plot Keywords:

victory in europe day | party | star crossed lovers | speech | self sacrifice | 

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Taglines:

A TREMENDOUS EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE! (Print Ad- Jamestown Post-Journal, ((Jamestown NY)) 14 June 1955)

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer David Lewis first acquired the film rights to Graham Green's novel in January 1952 with Gregory Peck and Jean Simmons as possible leads. Then in March 1952 MGM bought the rights from Lewis. Finally in February 1952 producer David E. Rose acquired the rights with a deal in place for Columbia to distribute the picture.

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Goofs

In Sarah's journal, the date of her breakup with Maurice - and the first V-1 flying bomb attack on London - is shown as June 18, 1944. The actual date of the first V-1 attack on London was June 13, 1944.

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Quotes

Sarah Miles: What do you believe in, Henry? All these years I've been married to you I've never really known; I've never even asked. Do you believe that there's a hell and a heaven, and an immortal soul, and a god who rewards and punishes and answers prayers?
Henry Miles: It's not exactly the sort of thing to go into over a cup of tea.

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Connections

Referenced in Grosse Pointe: End of the Affair (2001)

User Reviews

Quite Good for 1954

I am indebted to Turner Classic Movies for televising this film today. I had not seen it. I am a great admirer of both the novel and the 1999 film version by Neil Jordan. I count it as one of the greatest love stories in literature.

Yes, Van Johnson is miscast as Maurice Bendrix. Still, he is a sincere actor and his work is good considering that Maurice has been "Americanized." I wasn't prepared for the devastating performance by Deborah Kerr. Sarah Miles is one of literature's greatest creations. The "saint" as "whore." Or is it the "whore" as "saint?" I found myself engrossed and deeply moved watching her. It only confirmed my belief that she was with Vivian Leigh one of the two best English actresses in cinema. I love Julianne Moore in the 1999 version and equally love Deborah Kerr in the 1954 version. Sarah Miles is such a great creation that it would be wonderful to see another filmed version and compare the work of three actresses.

Incidentally, "The End of the Affair" is one of those notable works of literature that went from the page to the screen to the opera house (Jake Heggie, composer -- commission by The Houston Grand Opera -- 2004.) I do like the treatment given to the other characters in the 1954 film version. We get to meet Smythe and the priest and Sarah's mother. In the Neil Jordan screenplay, Smythe and the priest are combined into one character, a Catholic priest named Smythe. Sarah's mother is omitted in that version. If I was disappointed in the 1954 version it has to do with the character of Smythe. His character has a horrible facial birthmark that Sarah kisses when she parts from him. In the novel we are told that the birthmark disappeared upon her death. We have no idea that this happens in the 1954 film version. In the 1999 film version, the birthmark is given to Lance, Parkis's son. Also, in the novel, Lance suffers from stomach disorders. We learn that he is cured of that upon Sarah's death. No mention is made of this disorder in the 1954 film version.

Henry Miles, the cuckold, is more tragically portrayed in the 1999 film version. I tip the scales in favor to Stephen Rea whose performance is so true to the gravity of Graham Greene's creation.

A great story of human and Divine love with Maurice and Henry fighting for possession of Sarah's soul and only God receives it.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

The End of the Affair

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Coronado Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1