Rent The Seventh Veil (1945)
3.5 of 5 from 64 ratings
1h 29min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- One dark summers night, Francesca Cunningham (Ann Todd), a once world-famous concert pianist, escapes from her hospital room and tries to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. Rescued by Dr. Larsen (Herbert Lorn), Francesca is taken back to the hospital in order to undergo psychological treatment. Desperate to know what events drove her to this state of mind, Dr Larsen hypnotises Francesca and uncovers a traumatic relationship with her domineering guardian, Nicholas (James Mason). Forced to endlessly practice the piano, Francesca's deep psychological traumas have become hidden behind The Seventh Veil...
- Actors:
- James Mason, Ann Todd, Herbert Lom, Hugh McDermott, Albert Lieven, Yvonne Owen, David Horne, Manning Whiley, Grace Allardyce, Ernest Davies, John Slater, Arnold Goldsborough, Muir Mathieson, Beatrice Varley, Margaret Withers
- Directors:
- Compton Bennett
- Writers:
- Muriel Box, Sydney Box
- Studio:
- Odeon
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama
- Collections:
- Getting to Know: James Mason, Hitchcock in the 1940s, Introducing a British Film Family, Top 10 British Actresses of the 1940s
- Awards:
More like The Seventh Veil
Found in these customers lists
Reviews (1) of The Seventh Veil
Music maestro - The Seventh Veil review by RhysH
The opening crashing chords of Benjamin Frankel's score sets the tone for this film, a deliciously over the top psychological drama from 1945.
The seventh veil is the last vestige of privacy to a woman, it needs to be removed to reveal the inner workings of a woman's mind. Or so it is according to Dr Larsen (Herbert Lom) determined to identify why concert pianist Francesca Cunningham (Ann Todd) attempted suicide. To emphasise the validity of his theory Lom places on or removes his pince nez at appropriate moments.
Ann Todd shows two emotions, over excited happiness and utter despair. She does both with aplomb.
James Mason playing her guardian and Svengali like mentor plays his part with studied menace.
The "happy" ending is futile and unconvincing.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.