There is no any doubt why this film was made. This was the first film of Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier after they achieved international stardom. She was already an Oscar-winner, he was an Oscar-nominee. They were already married and so in love. They decided to take part in this movie because they needed money for the stage flop, directed by Olivier, "Romeo and Juliet" (the poor reviews showed only the appreciation of Leigh's performance). And Korda was in need of a propaganda movie. The whole romance was just a cover for the historic foreground. Anyway, everybody was happy, because it was the first film of Vivien after "Waterloo Bridge" and she was to appear in the next one not earlier that in 1944, "Caesar and Cleopatra", released in 1946.
I think that the fact that the cinematography is black and white makes this film more beautiful. It's very warm and touching. I think that the whole story told there is not so faithful to the real story, but it doesn't matter. The film is full of beautiful art direction and costumes. Korda is good as the director, though it is not his best work. The point that made this movie unforgettable is Vivien Leigh. She not only looks like a goddess (as always), but she plays her part marvelously. It is another mature role of Vivien, so different from flirtatious and strong Scarlett O'Hara, or more unhappy Myra Lester. She shines and she again overshines and overshadows her husband, who was never as good as she was when playing her leading man, at least on the screen (I did not have possibility to see them acting on stage). His performance is so bland and poor that if there were Razzies then, he should have won at least one. There is no a great chemistry between them, and the fault is evidently on Olivier's part. With Vivien expressing so various emotions, he's just as static as a Greek sculpture made before Christ.
Anyway, if you a fan of Vivien Leigh, you should see it. She's just brilliant here, as she always was, even when she played less good written parts.
I think that the fact that the cinematography is black and white makes this film more beautiful. It's very warm and touching. I think that the whole story told there is not so faithful to the real story, but it doesn't matter. The film is full of beautiful art direction and costumes. Korda is good as the director, though it is not his best work. The point that made this movie unforgettable is Vivien Leigh. She not only looks like a goddess (as always), but she plays her part marvelously. It is another mature role of Vivien, so different from flirtatious and strong Scarlett O'Hara, or more unhappy Myra Lester. She shines and she again overshines and overshadows her husband, who was never as good as she was when playing her leading man, at least on the screen (I did not have possibility to see them acting on stage). His performance is so bland and poor that if there were Razzies then, he should have won at least one. There is no a great chemistry between them, and the fault is evidently on Olivier's part. With Vivien expressing so various emotions, he's just as static as a Greek sculpture made before Christ.
Anyway, if you a fan of Vivien Leigh, you should see it. She's just brilliant here, as she always was, even when she played less good written parts.