Waterloo Bridge (1940)

Saw it a very long time ago and was already impressed then, and again now, and indeed: timeless.

Love at first sight, but unfortunately the sequel is very dramatic.

Heartfelt performances by the lead actors. It seems that Vivien Leigh, just after her success in "Gone with the Wind",... wanted Laurence Olivier as her co-star, but MGM put a stop to that and chose Robert Taylor, which turned out to be a good choice alongside the beautiful Vivien. (They had already been together in "A Yank at Oxford".)

I haven't seen the 1931 version (yet), nor the little-known and less highly-rated 1956 remake titled "Gaby" starring Leslie Caron.

"Waterloo Bridge" is a somber love film with a chunk of harsh social realism and emotion.

And on the sidelines, two notable players: Maria Ouspenskaya, here as "Madame," and good old C. Aubrey Smith as the charming uncle.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Vivien Leigh's first film after her resounding success in Gone With the Wind. The film naturally benefited from it at the time. Leigh really wanted her lover Laurence Olivier in the film, but he was busy with the adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. Who knows, it might have sparked the chemistry between the two characters even more. But Robert Taylor is doing quite well, although you can tell he is of a different caliber.

Waterloo Bridge is a romantic story that gradually introduces a sense of sadness. This is not surprising given the link to the war. The film also became highly topical again at the time due to the start of World War II. As a whole, it did not become a major classic, but thanks to Vivien Leigh, the beautiful story, and the cinematography (which received an Oscar nomination), it has nevertheless become a very enjoyable film.

Translated from Dutch · View original

As a romantic fairy-tale drama, this film is an outstanding success, thanks in part to the excellent acting of Vivien Leigh in particular, but Robert Taylor also does a great job.

The opening is also excellently chosen, with Roy standing on the bridge, and as his thoughts go back, the transition to his younger self is beautifully portrayed.

What follows is a long flashback that takes up virtually the entire film to tell the story and portrays it with great sentiment and drama.

It is a shame that people no longer dare to make these kinds of films (feminism and misogyny stand in the way), but fortunately we can still enjoy these old gems, even if it is just a modern fairy tale.

Translated from Dutch · View original