Brief Encounter (1945)
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88% of critics liked it
(32 reviews) -
90% of users liked it
(10,439 ratings)
Based on Noël Coward's play "Still Life," Brief Encounter is a romantic, bittersweet drama about two married people who meet by chance in a London railway station and carry on an intense love affair. Sentimental yet down-to-earth and set in pre-World War II England, the film follows… More Based on Noël Coward's play "Still Life," Brief Encounter is a romantic, bittersweet drama about two married people who meet by chance in a London railway station and carry on an intense love affair. Sentimental yet down-to-earth and set in pre-World War II England, the film follows British housewife Laura Jesson (Celia Johnson), who is on her way home, but catches a cinder in her eye. By chance, she meets Dr. Alec Harvey (Trevor Howard), who removes it for her. The two talk for a few minutes and strike immediate sparks, but they end up catching different trains. However, both return to the station once a week to meet and, as the film progresses, they grow closer, sharing stories, hopes, and fears about their lives, marriages, and children. One day, when Alec's train is late, both become frantic that they will miss each other. When they finally find each other, they realize that they are in love. But what should be a joyous realization is fraught with tragedy, since both care greatly for their families. Howard and Johnson give flawless performances as two practical, married people who find themselves in a situation in which they know they can never be happy. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi
- Directed By
- David Lean
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Classics
- In Theaters
- Nov 26, 1945 Wide
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Keith Uhlich, Time Out New York
Sheer perfection-the gold standard of tragic romances whose influence can still be seen to this day.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Cyril Raymond manages to invest the stodgy character with a lovable quality.
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Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Rarely rises above the level of the old women's magazines.
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Dave Calhoun, Time Out
Some films don't age well, and no doubt Brief Encounter had more of an emotional effect in the social climate of post-war Britain.
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
An uncommonly good little picture -- and one which is frankly designed to appeal to that group of film-goers who are provoked by the 'usual movie tripe.'
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Celia Johnson
as Laura Jesson
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Trevor Howard
as Dr. Alec Harvey
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Stanley Holloway
as Albert Godby
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Joyce Carey
as Myrtle Bagot
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Cyril Raymond
as Fred Jesson
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Valentine Dyall
as Stephan Lynn
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Everley Gregg
as Dolly Messiter
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Margaret Barton
as Beryl Waters
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Marjorie Mars
as Mary Norton
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Dennis Harkin
as Stanley
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Wallace Bosco
as Doctor
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Sydney Bromley
as Johnnie
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Irene Handl
as Organist
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Jack May
as Boatman
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Avis Scott
as Waitress
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Wilfred Babbage
as Policeman
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Richard Thomas
as Bobbie
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Nuna Davey
as Mrs. Rolandson
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Edward Hodge
as Bill