Under Capricorn (1949)
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71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
34% of users liked it
(2,371 ratings)
Returning to his old Elstree Studios headquarters in England, Alfred Hitchcock did his best with Hume Cronyn's adaptation of the James Bridie novel Under Capricorn. Costume drama was never Hitchcock's forte, as proven by his disappointing Jamaica Inn (1939), but Capricorn does have its… More Returning to his old Elstree Studios headquarters in England, Alfred Hitchcock did his best with Hume Cronyn's adaptation of the James Bridie novel Under Capricorn. Costume drama was never Hitchcock's forte, as proven by his disappointing Jamaica Inn (1939), but Capricorn does have its moments. Set in Australia in the early 19th century, the film concerns the tribulations of Lady Henrietta (Ingrid Bergman), who was driven out of her home in disgrace after eloping with unkempt stableman Sam Flusky (Joseph Cotten). Accused of the murder of Henrietta's brother, Flusky has been transported to Australia, where he starts life anew as a prosperous businessman, even while his wife descends further and further into alcoholism and self-hatred. When her cousin Charles Adare (Michael Wilding) comes to visit, Henrietta falls in love with him; she also confides that it was she, and not Flusky, who was responsible for her brother's death. The operatic climax finds Lady Henrietta doing the "right thing" at the cost of her own happiness. At times ponderously directed, the film comes explosively to life whenever Margaret Leighton, cast as Lady Henrietta's spiteful housekeeper, dominates the scene. On a technical level, Under Capricorn is distinguished by the same "ten-minute takes" that Hitchcock had utilized in Rope; particularly effective is an uninterrupted dialogue sequence, played against the backdrop of a spectacular Technicolor sunset (courtesy cinematographer Jack Cardiff). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Alfred Hitchcock
- Written By
- John Colton, Margaret Linden, James Bridie, Hume Cronyn
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1949 Limited
Critic Reviews
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
It seems that neither Miss Bergman nor Mr. Hitchcock has tangled here with stuff of any better than penny-dreadful substance and superfical demands.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Shot in astonishingly elaborate long takes, this is the kind of film that finds the most brilliant poetry in the slightest movement of the camera -- a paradigm of cinematic expression.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Despite star power (Ingrid Bergman), this historical drama is one of Hitchcoçk's few weaak films.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The character-driven dark film has a poignant romanticism that is not thought of when you think of a Hitchcock film.
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Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
A rare bad Hitchcock movie
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Cast
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Ingrid Bergman
as Lady Henrietta Flusky
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Joseph Cotten
as Sam Flusky
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Michael Wilding
as Hon. Charles Adare
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Margaret Leighton
as Milly
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Cecil Parker
as Sir Richard the tutor
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Denis O'Dea
as Corrigan attorney-general
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Jack Watling
as Winter Flusky's secretary
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Harcourt Williams
as Coachman
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John Ruddock
as Mr. Potter
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Bill Shine
as Mr. Banks
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Victor Lucas
as The Reverand Smiley
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Ronald Adam
as Mr. Riggs
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Francis De Wolff
as Maj. Wilkins
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G.H. Mulcaster
as Dr. McAllister
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Olive Sloane
as Sal
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Maureen Delaney
as Flo
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Julia Lang
as Susan
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Betty McDermott
as Martha
- Lisa Harrow
- Roderick Lovell