That Lady (1955)

Ana, the Princess of Eboli, wears a black patch over her right eye, where she was blinded as a youth when fighting a duel in defense of her King, the despotic Philip. Thereafter, she and ... See full summary »

Director:

Terence Young

Writers:

Kate O'Brien (play), Sy Bartlett

Stars:

Olivia de Havilland, Gilbert Roland, Paul Scofield

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Credited cast:
Olivia de Havilland	...	Ana de Mendoza
Gilbert Roland	...	Antonio Perez
Paul Scofield	...	King Philip II of Spain
Françoise Rosay	...	Bernardine
Dennis Price	...	Mateo Vasquez
Anthony Dawson	...	Don Inigo
Robert Harris	...	Cardinal
Peter Illing	...	Diego
José Nieto	...	Don Juan de Escobedo
Christopher Lee	...	Captain
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ángel Peralta	...	Rejoneador
Fernando Sancho	...	Diego
Andy Shine	...	Little Fernando

Storyline

Ana, the Princess of Eboli, wears a black patch over her right eye, where she was blinded as a youth when fighting a duel in defense of her King, the despotic Philip. Thereafter, she and the monarch were close friends, although his passion for her was never consummated. She marries one of Philip's ministers, bore him a son, and soon became a widow. Now Philip calls upon her to assist in coaching a commoner, Antonio Perez, for the office of First Secretary to the Crown. The result is more than Philip bargained for as Ana and Antonio become lovers and create a scandal in court, always the scene of perpetual intrigue. Philip has Antonio arrested on a drummed-up charge of murder, and when Ana refuses to leave Madrid, she too is arrested. After spending time in jail, she is transferred to her home and held in check. Antonio escapes and makes his way to Ana, who persuades him to leave the country and take her son.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | based on play | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Dame des Königs

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atalanta Film, Chapalo Films S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Studio chief Darryl Zanuck was so impressed by the early rushes of Paul Scofield in the role of King Philip II that he ordered the role to be enlarged as filming proceeded.

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Connections

Referenced in Terence Young: Bond Vivant (2000)

User Reviews

Dull Costumer Almost Rescued by De Havilland and Scofield

Paul Scofield made his film debut as Philip II of Spain in this handsome but slow-paced costumer that has Olivia de Havilland in the title role (wearing a black eyepatch as the one-eyed Ana de Mendoza, Princess of Eboli). Interesting costumes and scenery but it's all too talky with not enough movement, giving it the static look of a stage play rather than cinema. Gilbert Roland is excellent as de Havilland's lover and the rest of the supporting cast is fine, including Christopher Lee in an early bit role. Olivia is photographed beautifully throughout but the role, as written, gives her little opportunity to really shine. She was a great admirer of Katharine Cornell who played the role on stage to rave notices--probably the reason she chose to make this film. Lensed in Cinemascope and color, it loses a lot on the small screen and I don't believe Fox has ever released it to home video.