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Brief Encounter (1945)
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Overview
User Rating:
Writers:
moreRelease Date:
24 August 1946 (USA) moreTagline:
A story of the most precious moments in woman's life!Plot:
Meeting a stranger in a railway station, a woman is tempted to cheat on her husband. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins moreNewsDesk:
(8 articles)
A.C.T. Extends Its Brand-New 10Up Sale Program To All 2009/10 Subscription Season Productions (From BroadwayWorld.com. 1 September 2009, 3:55 PM, PDT)
Rakesh Roshan, Anurag Basu decide to release Kites in December
(From BollywoodHungama. 23 June 2009, 3:10 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Still life more (149 total)Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Celia Johnson | ... | Laura Jesson | |
| Trevor Howard | ... | Dr. Alec Harvey | |
| Stanley Holloway | ... | Albert Godby | |
| Joyce Carey | ... | Myrtle Bagot | |
| Cyril Raymond | ... | Fred Jesson | |
| Everley Gregg | ... | Dolly Messiter | |
| Marjorie Mars | ... | Mary Norton | |
| Margaret Barton | ... | Beryl Walters, Tea Room Assistant |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
86 minCountry:
UKLanguage:
EnglishColour:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Certification:
Argentina:Atp | Spain:13 (DVD rating) | Australia:G | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:AL | Finland:K-16 | Hong Kong:I | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:Approved (PCA #11819, Adult Audience) | Ireland:(Banned)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Laura borrows books from the Boots Lending Library. Such Lending Libraries were an offshoot of Boots Pharmacies. Boots is a major pharmacy chain in the UK. It was founded in 1849 and still exists, although in a much different, more diversified form. The Lending Libraries were started in 1898. moreGoofs:
Continuity: When Laura is running away from Dr. Lynn's apartment in the rain, her book is next to her body, under her purse. Halfway down the street, the angle changes on the still-running Laura, but now the book is outside her purse. And it never gets wet! moreSoundtrack:
Spanish Dances No. 5 moreFAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersIs "Brief Encounter" based on a novel?
Why was "Brief Encounter" initially banned in Ireland?
more
more (149 total)
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Certain songs, or melodies, associated with films one has seen, stay in our sub conscience forever. This is the case with the Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto for this viewer. Any time we hear it, or parts of the main themes are played, it immediately evokes this romantic film of 1945. It's a tribute to its director, David Lean, that after more than sixty years, it still is one of the most cherished movie experiences for a lot of people that saw it, or that are just getting acquainted with it.
"Brief Encounter" owes it all to one of the best talent in the English speaking world of the last century: Noel Coward. As part of his "Tonight at Eight" theater work, this one act play, "Still Life" was turned by its author and David Lean into what we know as "Brief Encounter", a bittersweet account of two lovers that is doomed from the start.
The film works because the exquisite chemistry between its two stars, Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. Both these actors make Laura Jesson and Alec Harvey come alive and stay with us every time we view this timeless film. The story is not far fetched and is made real by the two stars that elevate it to one of the best films of all times. The movie is done with an impeccable sense of decorum and style, yet it has such a sexy subtext. That was a time when a film didn't have to "bare it all" in order to catch the viewer's imagination. In fact, Laura and Alec let us know, without being specific, about the passion that both feel for one another.
Celia Johnson was not a great beauty. Neither was Trevor Howard the epitome of handsomeness, yet, their scenes together project such a heat, as the one that their characters are feeling at any given moment. The fact the two illicit lovers are played by people one could relate to, is what makes the film resonate the way it does every time we watch it. Of course, we realize this situation had no future from the start, yet, one keeps hoping their love will end well.
The supporting cast is excellent. Stanley Holloway is seen as the station master Albert. Joyce Carey is perfect as the woman in charge of the refreshment area of the station where Laura and Alec spend some of their time together. Cyril Raymond makes Fred Jesson, a man who perhaps understand much more than what he lets know. Everly Gregg is seen as the chattering Dolly Messiter.
"Brief Encounter" is one of the best films directed by David Lean, a man who was able to give the film the right tone and made it the classic that it is.