Director: Basil Dearden
Writers: Helen Simpson, John Dighton, Alexander Mackendrick
Starring: ‎Joan Greenwood, Stewart Grainger, Flora Robson, Peter Bull
Year: 1948
Duration: 96 mins
BBFC Certification: PG

By the late 1940s, English director Basil Dearden had already made a handful of what would go on to become classic films, with The Halfway House, They Came to a City and most notably Dead of Night already under his belt. Later in his career, Dearden would go on to make even more classic cinema, helming such notable titles as The Blue Lamp, Pool of London and The League of Gentlemen. Looking over his filmography, it is clear that Dearden was one of Britain’s most talented and versatile film directors, yet his stature today remains relatively little known, his films frequently being far more famous than the actual man behind them.

Not that StudioCanal aren’t doing their best to try and reverse this situation. Under their brilliant Vintage Classics range, the label have steadily released a stream of Dearden’s films, shining a light not just on the established classics, but also on the deeper, lesser known cuts that pepper his career. One such film is Ealing Studio’s Saraband for Dead Lovers, a lavish 16th century period romance from 1948. Newly released this month and struck from a glorious new 4k restoration, is this a lost Basil Dearden classic or a film that should have remained lost among his filmography?

Post war British cinema is usually rather grim. The country was still dealing with the economic and social fallout of the Second World War and the film industry frequently reflected this, giving rise to the term ‘kitchen sink drama’ as a catch all phrase to describe films that usually focused on the grittiness and privations of the post-war landscape. Saraband dispenses with all of that, presenting us with the polar opposite of sordid affairs among London’s bomb shattered rubble.

It tells the story of Sophie Dorothea (Joan Greenwood) a beautiful young woman who is forced into an arranged marriage to Prince George Louis of Hanover (who will later become the English King George I). Unfortunately (as is always the way of these things) Sophie falls for the charmingly handsome Count Konigsmark (Stewart Grainger) who also captures the attention of the wily and manipulative Countess Platen (Flora Robson). As the English throne looms into view, a complicated fission of political intrigue, desire and revenge filters through the Hanoverian court with devastating and tragic consequences.

Saraband was the first technicolour film made by the fabled Ealing Studios and watching the film today, it sure looks like they wanted to make an impression. Simply put, Saraband for Dead Lovers looks simply glorious and must surely stand as one of the most lavish and opulent technicolor films of the 1940s. Sets and costumes simply bleed out of the screen in rich abundance, easily rivalling The Queen of Spades (another late 40s British period film) for jaw dropping grandeur in its production design. Shot by Douglas Slocombe, he easily gives the legendary Jack Cardiff (whose lensed The Red Shoes, also released in 1948, for Powell and Pressburger) a run for his money. There is hardly a moment when the film isn’t a pleasure to look at and StudioCanal’s new restoration certainly take that pleasure to new heights.

Which is just as well, because there unfortunately isn’t a huge amount going on under the film’s opulent surface. While the plot of Saraband may recall 2012’s masterful Danish drama A Royal Affair, this 40s exploration of courtly romance and passion falls drastically by the wayside in comparison. There are two faults here. The first is the script. While this is meant to be Sophie Dorothea’s story, a story defined by her feelings for Count Konigsmark, the script spends remarkably little time exploring their relationship. We see just a few brief meetings between the two, then they are both apparently smitten with little extra depth or reason provided. It is hard to invest in their story when the film, caught up with all the politicking going on in the background, hardly seems invested in it itself.

Secondly, and perhaps more fatally, there is a woeful lack of chemistry between Greenwood and Grainger, whose scenes together feel so dry and brittle you almost expect the film to crack apart in a shower of apathetic dust. It makes them very hard to root for, resulting in tragedy that neither moves nor stirs.

There are some decent performances to liven things up a bit however. Peter Bull is effective as the boorish Prince George, while there is also a small and entertaining turn from a very young Michael Gough. Standing head and shoulders above everyone, however, is Flora Robson as Countess Platen. Here, in a single, brilliant performance, you will find all the nuance, tragedy and passion that you deeply wish were evident throughout the rest of the film.

All of which makes Saraband for Dead Lovers a bit of an odd one to recommend. One the one hand, it is a vital and important landmark in British cinema, with its technicolour photography easily standing out as one of the best examples in the field. There are scenes (such as when Sophie gets lost during a carnival) that exhibit Dearden’s technical mastery and skill, as photography and editing combine to create moments that are thrilling and memorable. It is also notable for telling the story of Sophie Dorothea herself, whose tragic tale has mostly been forgotten among the general public.

Yet as a romance the film mostly fails. Sumptuously staged but hollow, what is meant to be a tragic historical melodrama feels dry and passionless. By all means, Saraband is a key film to own for lovers of British cinema. Just be prepared to remember it more for the brilliance of its visuals than the power of its storytelling.

Film:

Saraband for Dead Lovers is being released on Blu Ray and DVD via StudioCanal on their Vintage Classics range. The film has undergone a new 4K restoration and it looks spellbinding. Colour feels incredibly rich and vibrant while fine detail is wonderfully sharp and precise. At times, it almost feels like you are watching a 4K disc! The original mono audio is clear and legible. Altogether, this has to be, from a visual perspective, one of the crowning glories of the Vintage Classic catalogue.

There are a few substantial extras on the disc. Firstly, there are two half and hour discussions on the film, the first from critics Matthew Sweet and Phuong Le, the second from film historian Dr. Josephine Botting. Both offer great background info and analysis of the film and are absolutely worth a watch.

Also included is a fascinating ten minute look at the film’s restoration, as well as a stills gallery.

Disc/Extras:

Saraband for Dead Lovers
Film
Disc/Extras
3.5Overall Score
Reader Rating: (0 Votes)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.