That Hamilton Woman (1941)

Director: Alexander Korda Starring: Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Henry Wilcoxon, Gladys Cooper Genres: UK Classics, Historical Drama, Drama Classics Origin: United Kingdom Certificate: PG Languages: English Running Time: 125 min

synopsis

Two of Hollywood's biggest legends and off-screen lovers Vivien Leigh (Emma Hamilton) and Laurence Oliver (Nelson) star in this Academy Award-winning story based on one of history's most ill-fated love affairs. However, the film left no-one in any doubt that Nelson's warning of the dangers of appeasing Napoleon was an obvious parallel to the threat Hitler posed to Europe at that time. Shot in just six weeks in Los Angeles, Korda's first directorial effort since 'Rembrandt' is an appealing mix of high drama and romance which succeeded with the critics and audiences alike. Politically the film also made an impact on both sides of the Atlantic. Over in the UK Churchill made it his favourite film of all time while the American Senate decided it was mere propaganda and subpoenaed Korda to appear before them, along with Chaplin and Hitchcock, on the suspicion of being British agents. Also the film created a stir with the American film censor whose concern with the morals of the picture forced new dialogue to be included to reflect the couples suffering by committing adultery. The New York Times' critic dwelt on neither the politics nor drama of the film but complained that such is Leigh's beauty in the film that it is impossible to concentrate on anything else at all beyond her stunning looks.