Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Brief Encounter and Reprises


One of my very favorite films is Brief Encounter (1945), from Noel
Coward's play Still Life. Directed by the legendary filmmaker David
Lean, this film is about a chance meeting in a train station of a
married doctor (the dashing Trevor Howard) and a suburban
housewife (Celia Johnson), who begin a quietly passionate, yet
doomed love affair. These two brilliant stars are perfectly paired, as
Lean leads his viewers through the emotions of delight, tenderness
and ultimate pain, all to the haunting strains of Rachmaninoff's
second piano concerto. This film is achingly poignant, simple and
beautiful. I think it may just possibly be THE most romantic movie
ever made. It is now a luminous part of the wonderfully restored
Criterion Collection.
.
At the library, I had the good fortune to stumble onto another film in
which these two stars are paired together, nearly 35 years later.
Staying On (HBO,1980) is from the award winning novel The
Jewel in the Crown by Paul Scott. It's about the withered marital
relationship of a retired British Indian Army colonel and his wife,
who stay on in India after the British withdrew in 1947. It was
thrilling to see Howard and Johnson perform together again. An
exceptional and timeless performance, especially by Celia Johnson.
She was marvelous in this role, just two years before her death at
the age of 75.

And hey, did you know that Brief Encounter, the opera, just
premiered last month at Houston Grand Opera, starring Elizabeth
Futral and Nathan Gunn? The music is by Andre Previn and the
libretto by John Caird. I would have LOVED to have seen it!!

Futral and Gunn in Brief Encounter, photo by Felix Sanchez

46 comments:

  1. Sometimes I will see a movie that I like and will actually watch it. I am not one to park somewhere and watch them because they are good. I like Singing in the Rain and that is an oldie.

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  2. Well, I rushed off and ordered Countess Sophia earlier, and now I am off to add Staying On to the Netflix queue. I love Brief Encounter, the scene where they can't say goodbye because her chatty friend has found her is just amazing.

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  3. SWMBO and I just watched the original recently (Thanks, Netflix) and agree with you. It is a romantic masterpiece.

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  4. Sounds like an interesting story. Will have to check that out with T. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I;ve seen both of these--I believe but some time ago now. I love these "old" films.

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  6. Isn't it wonderful the many things one can find in the library. I am fortunate to live within walking distance to ours, and Edward, Apple and I have been frequent visitors this summer.

    Thanks for the reminder about Brief Encounter. I know you have mentioned it before as one of your favourites. You will think me terrible, as I've never seen it. But I'll drag it over to the netflix queue in your honor!!

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  7. I've never heard of Staying On; how intriguing.

    Brief Encounter is such a classic; I love their clipped,cut-glass accents and Celia's expressive eyes. My daughter was watching The History Boys yesterday and there is a great scene of two of the boys acting out one of the famous encounters.

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  8. Oh so very British and dlightful. I had forgotten it also had Stan Holloway in it, thanks Willow.

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  9. Another one for my TIVO. You sure keep it busy, Willow.

    I have not seem either movie in years.

    An opera, you say? Um?

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  10. Oh, how fun to discover old classics and appreciate them over and over again.

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  11. This is one of my favorite movies, too! I found myself watching it on TV recently, even though I have a tape of it. (Does anyone actually watch their old VCR tapes anymore?) I'll certainly put Staying On on my list of flicks to see. Thanks!

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  12. There is such romance in the simplest of things in many of these old films. Like when he looked at her eye. It made my heart leap.

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  13. I would have sworn I had seen this but reading your description now I'm not so sure. Perhaps it's one of those films that are so iconic you're convinced you've already seen it? I must make time to watch a movie! I love old British films! It has to be better than the recent Noel Coward remake Easy Virtue. x

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  14. I have never seen "Brief Encounter". I have seen episodes of "The Jewel in the Crown" from the BBC drama. Was that the same as "Staying On"?

    (Funny, you've posted a poll today and I created one off-blogger today as well...great minds. I love your updates, by the way.)

    Kat

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  15. I have seen Brief Encounter but not Staying On as I recall.I'll have to check on that one. I laid up today and watched Sense & Sensibility again today!I love that movie and the rain scenes were awesome! :)

    No it isn't Angelina's lips but I loved that answer!! :D

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  16. I'm going to check my library on these older movies...looks great! Reminds me of my Saturday afternoons!

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  17. I can't quite believe I've never seen it....odd.

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  18. I must dash to the library pronto! i haven't seen it, but I love old romantics.

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  19. Oh, thanks for the heads up on the second movie--we'll have to try to get that! Sounds great. Joe would be in seventh heaven seeing that opera, and actually I think I would be, too.

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  20. ps
    Willow, I met Chaim Potok when I was in college--I saw your book listed here. I never did read that particular one, but I read "The Chosen." You'll have to let me know if you like it! ;))

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  21. Willow, I know that this Friday is the day David Lean is the featured director for the day on TMC. I am not sure if this is one of the films...but I do know Doctor Zhivago is!

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  22. I just checked the TCM schedule...Brief Encounter comes on at 11:00 AM (Eastern time) just before Zhivago...for those who want to sit back and enjoy!

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  23. And there's another fine movie you'll be getting me into...someday. Enjoyed your post on Countess Tolstoy also. Fascinating woman. Thank you for both of these.

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  24. I can feel an old movie kick coming on...

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  25. Sue, I am so envious of your meeting Potok! I've read The Chosen, The Promise, and My Name is Asher Lev. And liked all three. It's been awhile, though, and need to read them again.

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  26. FireLight, Friday is David Lean day on TCM? Cool!! He is one of my favorite directors. I'll have to tune in. Thanks for the heads up!

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  27. absolutely one of my favorite favorite films!

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  28. Now here's a classic I've not watched - I will definitely look out for it - especially if there's a David Lean day on TCM!

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  29. Thanks for the recommendation. Another film to add onto my list, especially if it has Noel Coward's imprimatur on it. Many thanks. I watched 'Nowhere in Africa' and 'An Angel st My Table' recently. The former I had not seen before and loved it, the latter was more like a reunion and liked it even better this time around.

    Greetings from London.

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  30. Hello Willow,

    I feel a 'Now Voyager' moment coming on!! The, made for TV, 'Jewel in the Crown' series was magnificent. We have the DVDs. I have seen 'Staying On' but would need to do so again to appreciate it more.

    Didn't know about the opera. Do you know if it received good reviews?

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  31. I wish Nexflix operated here. Getting quality old movies is nearly impossible.

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  32. It's been ages since I've seen Brief Encounter..It's definitely time for a reprise of that film. Thank you...I pay a lot of attention to recommendations of great films!

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  33. I forgot all about that movie! LOVE it. Netflix list ... oh yeah.

    Thanks for the reminder.

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  34. Now you've got me wanting to see this! Thanks Willow, I'll have to add it on :)

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  35. Putting the HBO movie on my list of flix I need Husband to get from NetFlix

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  36. Ah hah! Yoda

    tres les traffic from the Manor
    and yes I do ! care about what you eat
    & drink. love from les Gang

    Here's an HBO great movie recommendation for you- "Longford" I thought it was fantastic !

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  37. Susan! I just looked up "Longford" and I adore both Samantha Morton (she is always excellent) and Jim Broadbent. How did you know I would love this? Merci, my friend.

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  38. I thought "Longford" was so well done - such a perfect tale of morality I instantly wanted to email HBO and tell them how wonderful they were/are. I look forward to your review and am so glad it hit a film note (quite a feat) over at the Manor.

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  39. Hi Willow....well you know me and Brief Encounter...always a wonderful watch.

    I thought Jim Broadbent as Longford was superb. He really is turning into an actor for all seasons...just like Pete Postlethwaite...great blog

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  40. Response to Willow...

    That was Paula Deen popping dough balls from the bundt pan. I left a comment about it under your comment. I was sitting in the waiting room of the dealership watching this 42 inch plasma tv watching this fat lady pop dough balls...

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  41. Abe, oh, Paula Deen. Well, that's a different story, then. She's allowed to eat from a bundt pan any time she wants!

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  42. Ah... but the mess that British Rai made of Carnforth Station... There's a bit of a fist being made to try and reclaim its old glory for tourism reasons these days.

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  43. I love to watch old movies sometimes and then I love to watch new ones also. I think there is just something special about the Black and White Classics that todays movies cannot seem to touch.

    I think I will have to try and see both of these movies.

    Thank you.

    God bless.

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  44. I hate it when I can't remember if I have seen or read something in the past...on that note I will have to Netflix this...as it sounds right up my alley...

    I loved the Jewel in the Crown series...the books as well as the tv shows...

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  45. i've not heard brief encounter mentioned ever - but i have seen the film and absolutely loved it - romance such as it portrays so rarely comes along and even more rarely is shared with the world - just came across your blog which i love, also - i've just begun a few myself - am very much a novice but please feel free to drop by mine and leave me a note on the front door - jenean

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  46. Two of my favourite things: TCM and Brief Encounter. It was wonderful to see Great Expectations again.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)