The Deep Blue Sea 1955 Not Restored Vivien Leigh Kenneth More Emlyn Williams Eric Portman

The Deep Blue Sea

Trapped Between Infidelity and - The Deep Blue Sea

A woman is unhappy in her marriage to a boring, stiff judge, so she takes up with a wild-living RAF pilot, who ends up being more than she can handle. (TCM.com)

Cast
Crew
Details
Genres

Director

Producer

Writer

Editor

Cinematography

Production Design

Composer

Costumes

Genres

Popular reviews

Two stars for Vivien because she is perfect as always. 2011 version is much better, and not only because it has a naked Tom Hiddleston in it.
What better way to start my movie watching in a new decade than with the one post "Gone with the Wind" Vivien Leigh movie I haven't seen?

While the film is slightly hampered by its inability to truly escape its stage origins, it more than makes up for it with its great story of a love that is slowly coming apart, strong camerawork (despite a terrible print, but what can you do about that?), and the outstanding performance of Miss Vivien Leigh.

As I have mentioned in the past, Vivien Leigh is my favorite actress. Here she continues to prove why, with how she carries herself in every moment, the deep hidden emotion in her eyes, the suffering and longing…
a very good adapatation of one of rattigan's most deceptively simple plays.

its flaws arise from its trying not to seem stagebound. there are radical embellishments with regard to location, which eliminate the play's overwhelming sense of entrapment, and undermine the creative restraint of the original writing.

the decision to opt for star power over suitability also hurts the film. kenneth more is the only cast member to reprise his role in the stage performances, and naturally he outshines everybody tenfold. vivien leigh slightly misses the mark, failing to wear her character's trauma on her face or in her voice, making it easy to forget that she is supposed to be the main focus of attention.

the film overcomes these problems by remaining absolutely faithful to the dialogue, and with its excellent framing. unfortunately it doesn't come close to topping the 1994 television adaptation with colin firth and penelope wilton for BBC's play of the month, which remains definitive.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIVIEN <33
The BFI have digitised the only remaining archival print of this film (faded, damaged, with splices and skips) as part of their major Vivien Leigh retrospective, which gives us a rare chance to see it as originally intended, in Cinemascope on a big screen.

Rattigan wrote the screenplay for this adaptation of his play, which was certified back in the 50s as very much for 'adults only', with its subject matter of adultery, attempted suicide, and dark secrets.

Vivien Leigh, faded with the years but still with the beauty she had as a younger actress, plays Hester Collier, a judge's wife who teeters on the brink of genteel depression brought on by boredom and a marriage devoid of passion.

She…
Though Vivien Leigh was best known for playing passionate creatures with poor impulse control, by all accounts she was the very definition of controlled elegance (though often this mask would slip to reveal a much more complex struggle within.) Unlike most of her roles, 'The Deep Blue Sea' provides Leigh with the rarely accorded chance to show what a lady she was. Her every line and gesture is full of emotion, but only under a thick veneer of English will. That's what ranks this performance among her best; she is able to portray Hester's vulnerability and noble discipline. It is a fascinating combination of strength and fragility, and Leigh is the only actress of her generation who could have accomplished such a feat.
Really wish I could see a restored version and not just a crappy pan-and-scanned blur. Sigh!!!
have i already said that i love vivien leigh?
the way that man slapped vivien's face— i almost screamed. a federal crime in my eyes.

the thing about Vivien Leigh is that she was such a brilliant artist— a true actress that had great regard for the craft— that i can always trust her to play characters that are both nuanced & interesting— even if the film itself really isn't.
This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Is there anything more frustrating than watching the most beautiful actress of all time crying over being dumped by some annoying prick while also rejecting her ex-husband who has money and genuine love for her? Yes, yes there is. The only thing more frustrating is watching that same actress attempt to gas herself to death over him.

All this frustration is confined within the runtime of The Deep Blue Sea, and while I could easily watch Vivien Leigh (even 1955 Vivien Leigh) in just about anything and enjoy it, I think I get too attached to the characters she plays and this one left me hurting for her. I didn't quite understand a lot of her character motivations in this.…
The remake is better. (And no, I don't mean the amazing shark movie almost sharing its title with Rattigan's play. This similarity I have already made a joke about in my mini-review of said remake.)
This rarely-seen adaptation by Terence Rattigan of his own play, sees Vivien Leigh as the wealthy middle-aged wife who throws in her lot with a former Spitfire ace turned boozy layabout (Kenneth More).

More was better known in film for playing jolly good chaps in war pictures, but had originated his role of Freddie in the stage version of the play. Despite winning best actor at the Venice Film Festival, More didn't like the film and felt that the stage version's Peggy Ashcroft should have been used over Leigh, with whom he felt little chemistry.

The film also betrays its theatrical origins, with most of the action taking place in a couple of interchangeable rooms in the boarding house where…