Enchantment [DVD]

What can I say that hasn’t already been said in a review of this delightful film? It’s great? It’s passionate? It’s kindness versus cruelty? All of this has already been said. I suppose I can look at it from its artistic value.Most every actor was already known for their impressive work. This was not a film that was just pasting actors into their parts. Nor is it a simple production.This film is somewhat loosely based on the novel by Rumer Godden, called [ASIN:B01M5D8G71 A Fugue in Time]. I have not read the book, but only know that there were many other siblings there. It is common for films to reduce the number of characters, due to time. You cannot tell all of those characters’ stories in a film, but at least you can tell the story of the main characters.David Niven at the time was perfect for his part. His wife had died by falling down the stairs of another actor, two and a half years earlier. He was all too familiar with the feeling of tender love and profound loss. Yet, by the time this film was made, he had fallen in love again and had married. He had enough time to grieve and yet start a new beginning. That experience no doubt affected his acting in this film, and what an effect it was! He was superb as Rollo. Though it is hard to see his face behind all that make-up, I doubt another actor at that time could have achieved the acting in this role as Mr. Niven did.Theresa Wright is always a delight to watch. She had fallen into parts that were the epitome of the “nice girl next door,” but usually as a troubled one. Known for being the only actor nominated for an Oscar for her first three films is all we need to know about her acting. If you like her in this film, try also watching [ASIN:B0093QE06M Mrs. Miniver], [ASIN:B002RXS1VS Shadow of a Doubt], and [ASIN:B00AOORDJS The Best Years of our Lives]. She is always captivating to watch.The rest of the cast was also superb, but Jayne Meadows’ Selina is very much worth noting here. This was a great part for her, as she had only filmed four movies prior to this one. Among those were an interesting version of [ASIN:B07573CDXR a Phillip Marlowe film] and even a [ASIN:B018GTVB4K Thin Man] film. She shined in both of those and I am almost certain this is why she got the part.Production-wise, the cinematography is a story of its own. The art of filming in black and white is the use of light and dark. Here we see dark moments and by lowering the light during those moments, the viewer can actually “feel” the darkness with the characters. Gregg Toland is a master of this type of drama, after all, he did do [ASIN:B00GJBCMB4 Citizen Kane] which is exceptionally famous for its photography, among everything else.Just one little note here. I’ve seen reviews mentioning a plot hole about Lark having a nephew, even though she had no siblings. Many large and close families consider aunts and uncles by marriage a true uncle. My family does too, in fact. We have a sort of hierarchy. As close as we are, we take care of each other and my uncle by marriage makes most of the decisions for us. It’s not enforced, mind you, he is kind and offers his help and he’s just the best one in the family for advice on everything. I think of him as a real by-blood uncle, even though he isn’t.For this reason, I see no plot hole. I am certain Pax Masterson is not only a nephew by marriage, but his relationship was through his mother. In other words, Marchese Del Laudi’s sister married a Mr. Masterson and Pax was their son. It’s really that simple.This film has a great team and feels very much like a play. I just love this film and I think any “old movie” lover would find this truly enchanting. Its title suits it well, even if it is different from its original title.

...but sad. Thoroughly enjoyed this movie with Leo G. Carroll (Topper), Jayne Meadows, who played a great villain, Farley Granger, David Niven, etc.

I love this movie; my first time to watch but don't think it's my last. It centers around the dynamics of family through time and circumstances....jealousy, love, manipulation, pureness, happiness and the loss thereof. Very creative to move back & forth in time as the story shows the generations & the impact on the younger of the two. Lark was the central connection; she was the opposite of Selina who was mean-spirited, and eaten with jealousy over Lark coming into their family. Lark was sweetness and sunshine in the old house, & Selina was a divider & petty.Set in times of war and the separations that brings. A love story linked by Lark, and the lessons learned & passed on from one generation to the other. There was only one character I hated to see on the screen ~ Selina ~ but there had to be a protagonist. Jayne Meadows portrayed her well, but it was hard for me to see her like that; I grew up with her jolliness on the TV show "What's My Line."

I've always appreciated the Classics so I might be biased in my review. The story line connects generations, hope, and love. I think what I appreciate most is the view that no one has control of the future so the moment is as important as the future. If we love like that in life, our hearts would be so much more full. In that, the movie gives a philosophical question to the audience of "what will you do with your moment?" The director keeps this in the focus throughout the timeline in the movie. The actors and actresses connect well with their parts and present them so realistic that you can sense their own emotions and fears. This is a movie that I could watch more than once and still keep an appreciation as if I were watching it for the first time.

I first saw this movie and fell in love with it about 1980 when there were one or two classic movie channels on cable. I've spent the time since trying to find it, having forgotten the name. After the internet became available I searched using a description of "a narrated B&W movie that first scene is the front door" and variations such but had no success.Tonight it was on "recommended" to me by Amazon, and when it began to play I was thrilled, as I had given up hope of ever finding it again. It's a bittersweet story, and I realize the characters behaviors and reactions to the manipulative Selina are a far cry from what would happen today, but it harkens back to our "idealized" thoughts of the two time periods of the story and a lovely home in which it takes place.I am very grateful it popped up on Amazon.

I found this film enjoyable because I liked most of the actors and the time periods in which it was set. But I always have a problem with stories in which otherwise likeable and intelligent characters are too dumb or nice to avoiding being manipukated. Why did Rollo leave Lark alone with Selena? And why didn't Lark trust him enough to wait for him an ignore someone who kept doing her harm? Also how could Rollo's regiment promote him on Tuesday so of his sister alone. So it was all a done deal, papers signed etc. The night of the party? And why didn't Selena and Lark even try to sound British?

I'm a fan of the B&W films from the 30's , 40's, & 50's. I had not heard of this one, so watched since I like Teresa Wright and David Niven. It was a nice enough movie, although not up there with my favorites from that genre. The script does a good job of telling the story by weaving between the past and present, and the actors are on point. Unless I somehow missed it, one thing the storyline does not explain is how Lark managed to have a nephew since she was an only child. That's a little detail that doesn't effect the plot, but should be explained, otherwise it doesn't make sense. Since this question is not answered by the film, I'll just assume Pax is the blood nephew of Lark's Italian husband. Because, come on, where did this 'nephew' come from? lol!

Pleasant film with good cast covering two generations. Teresa Wright lovely usual and Farley Granger looking handsome in his first film after war service although he hated it. Worth a look if you like love stories..

Arrived before expected and well packaged..it is a gift for my Mum so yet to watch it but nevertheless superb, thank you.

exellent

Bought this DVD from Canada and although my DVD player is a multi regional player and will play DVDs from the US it will not play this DVD, and therefore it was a complete waste of money

For a closet romantic like myself this movie was truly a let down.The ending was awful and the title missrepresents the movie.