Alexander Korda's Rembrandt (1936) portrays the life of the troubled Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669).We see his grief over the death of his beloved wife Saskia, we see him falling in love with the maid and fighting with the creditors.There is some brilliant writing from June Head and Lajos Biró, and it's based on the story by Carl Zuckmayer.Charles Laughton does excellent job as Rembrandt.Gertrude Lawrence is terrific as Geertje Dircx.Elsa Lanchester, the real-life wife of Laughton, plays the maid/lover Hendrickje Stoffels in a brilliant way.Edward Chapman is great as Fabrizius.Roger Livesey is superb as Beggar Saul.John Bryning is very good as Titus van Rijn.In this black and white movie you see some great use of light and shadow.The movie contains of many memorable moments.Like the fuss over The Night Watch, which was not a big hit at the time.Or when the artist takes the beggar from the street and makes him King Saul, also telling the story of the king.It is most touching when Rembrandt paints another portrait of his fair Hendrickje, and she dies.They say all the same things they said the first time he was painting her.If you are interested in Rembrandt as an artist and as a man, then you have to see this movie.
