Madeleine (1950)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(110 ratings)

David Lean's Madeleine was inspired by a true story that rocked the English legal system to its foundations in the mid-19th century. Told in flashback, the film explains why aristocratic young Scotswoman Madeleine Smith (Ann Todd, then the wife of director Lean) is on trial for murder. The audience… More David Lean's Madeleine was inspired by a true story that rocked the English legal system to its foundations in the mid-19th century. Told in flashback, the film explains why aristocratic young Scotswoman Madeleine Smith (Ann Todd, then the wife of director Lean) is on trial for murder. The audience is apprised of Madeleine's illicit romance with deceptively charming Frenchman Emile L'Angelier (Ivan Desny), her futile attempts to break off the relationship, her "proper" betrothal to Englishman William Minnoch (Norman Wooland), and the murder by poison of the now-inconvenient L'Angelier. The jury's verdict was as controversial in 1950 as it had been a century earlier. David Lean and scenarists Stanley Haynes and Nicholas Phipps refuse to take sides, permitting the viewers to draw their own conclusions about the notorious Madeleine. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: David Lean
Written By: Stanley Haynes, Nicholas Phipps
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Aug 31, 1950 Wide
On DVD: Sep 7, 2004
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This compelling character study is one of the three films David Lean made with his then wife Ann Todd.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Murder underneath patrician façades
, Time Out
One of three films Lean made virtually as star vehicles for his wife Ann Todd. Here she manages to extend the range of her semi-hysterical screen personality into a flimsily forceful character who pits her amoral deviousness against... rigid hypocrisy.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The script and direction are handled with amazing restraint, cleverly and carefully constructed, heightened by Todd's inherently enigmatic image.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Well-made courtroom drama.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

Another piece of Lean excellence as he handles a story of dark romance and accusations of murder. It's a rare ambiguous story as we see what the court is told and yet nothing more. Whether she is guilty or not is entirely in our hands as the audience. We're not spoon fed… More
Another piece of Lean excellence as he handles a story of dark romance and accusations of murder. It's a rare ambiguous story as we see what the court is told and yet nothing more. Whether she is guilty or not is entirely in our hands as the audience. We're not spoon fed and it works tremendously well. The romantic 1st half is well plotted and we can understand perfectly how Madeleine's affections change. It's a good old fashioned romance where love isn't enough. Other things such as respect, class and social standing must be considered. It's also great to see a film in which the man the parents approve of isn't some slimy arrogant social misfit. It intrigues and entertains but you can't expect much less from a Lean picture.

Cast

            Ann Todd as Madeleine Smith

            Norman Wooland as William Minnoch

            Ivan Desny as Emile l'Angelier

            Leslie Banks as James Smith

            Barbara Everest as Mrs. Smith

            Susan Stranks as Janet Smith

            Patricia Raine as Bessie Smith

            Elizabeth Sellars as Christina

            Edward Chapman as Dr. Thompson

            Jean Cadell as Mrs. Jenkins

            Eugene Deckers as Thuau

            Ivor Barnard as Mr. Murdoch

            Henry Edwards as Clerk of the Court

            Barry Jones as Prosecuting Counsel

            André Morell as Defending Counsel

            Eva Bartok
            
            Irene Browne as Miss Grant

            Moyra Fraser as Dancer

            Cameron Hall as Dr. Yeoman

            John Laurie as Scots Divine

            James McKechnie as Commentator

            Kynaston Reeves as Dr. Penny

            Amy Veness as Miss Aiken

            Anthony Newley
            
            Douglas Barr as William the Boot Boy
See full cast