SARABAND FOR DEAD LOVERS
UK, 1948, 96 minutes, Colour.
Stewart Granger, Joan Greenwood, Francoise Rosay, Flora Robson, Peter Bull.
Directed by Basil Dearden.
Saraband for Dead Lovers is one of the many historical romances so popular in the mid and late '40s in the English film industry. Most of them were from Gainsborough Studios. However, this is from Ealing Studios, the studio that was to give us so many comedies during the '50s.
The film is an early collaboration of producer Michael Relph and director Basil Dearden. They were to work together for 20 years, making such dramas as The Blue Lamp, Sapphire and then moving into Spectacles like Khartoum.
Regular British actors and actresses portray the historical roles. Stewart Granger is at home with this kind of drama. Joan Greenwood is the Princess Sofie Dorothea, wife of George I, imprisoned in a castle in Germany for 30 years. Flora Robson has a very good role as the scheming countess, Clara. Francoise Rosay is the electress Sofia. Peter Bull gives a very bad impression of the character of George I. Actors who were to emerge later also appear in minor roles - like Anthony Quayle. The film is meticulous in its reconstruction of the period, its use of attractive locations and costumes. However, there is a certain grimness about the story.
1. The popularity of historical melodrama? The background of Germany and England at this period? The Hanover line?
2. British production, colour photography, sets and decor, costumes? Re-creation of the period? Musical score?
3. Audience knowledge of history? Explanations?
4. Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries? The wars in Germany? England? The English succession?
5. Themes of politics and politicking, war, the effect on the private lives of the aristocracy and royalty?
6. The flashback technique: Dorothea, her death, the letter to her son, the voice-over and commentary on her life? Regrets?
7. Dorothea as a girl, her 16th birthday, the wedding, her being caught up in the politics, the marriage to George Louis, his rejection of her, her children, their being taken from her? Her isolation? The electress and her influence? Her meeting Konigsmark? In love with him, the lyrical scenes together? The possibility of escape, her not going, the note and its fatal use? Getting her strength from being able to survive? The long prison experience?
8. Konigsmark, Swedish background, his role in the armies, the aristocratic mercenary? The gambling with George Louis, his debts? The intervention of Clara, her infatuation with him, the sexual liaison? Influencing his behaviour, military commissions? His principles, refusals? Going to the war, admiration for Charles, the defeat and Charles's death? His insulting George Louis at the toast? His love for Dorothea, their time together? Intrigues, his being prevented from seeing her, the finale, his death?
9. Clara and her influence, self-made woman, intrigue, using people, arrangements for the succession, money and commissions? Her influence on George Louis and the gambling? On Konigsmark? Her infatuation with him, the affair, her concern about her age? Her reaction against him, kicking him in his death? Sofia calling her to her? Her rebuke? Her wanting to die? Portrait of an evil woman?
10. Sofia, the political game in Germany, giving her whole life to it, her aristocratic bearing and manner? Her sons, concern about George Louis? The death of Charles? Her hold over Dorothea?
11. Charles, pleasant, reading, caught up in the politics, sent to his death in the army?
12. The elector, the intrigues with Clara, the plan about Dorothea's wedding? His role and his ruling?
13. George Louis and his selfishness, vanity, treatment of Dorothea? His women? Becoming George I of England?
14. The sketch of the courtiers, Dorothea's maid and her concern? Customs, manners and morals? The perspective of the past?
