A British ex-convict in colonial Australia and his fragile wife, haunted by the past crime that binds them, struggle to rebuild their lives when a young newcomer stirs long-buried passions and secrets.
| Tagline | Mystery, murder and passion from the master of suspense! |
| Release Date: | Sep 08, 1949 |
| Genres: | Drama, History |
| Production Company: | Transatlantic Pictures |
| Production Countries: | United Kingdom |
| Casts: | Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, Michael Wilding, Margaret Leighton, Cecil Parker, Denis O'Dea, Jack Watling, Harcourt Williams, John Ruddock, Bill Shine, Victor Lucas |
| Status: | Released |
| Budget: | $2500000 |
| Revenue: | 1500000 |
There are two ways to look at this rather procedural Victorial melodrama: either it's Hitchcock very much off form from his usual perfection; or it's Hitchcock demonstrating that he has other strings to his bow than his much lauded suspense thrillers. I prefer the latter! Michael Wilding arrives in New South Wales looking for his fortune. He alights on "Mr. Flusky" (Joseph Cotton) as a likely business partner, and at a dinner discovers that he has history with his wife, the alcoholic "Lady Henrietta" (Ingrid Bergman). The story tries to reconcile their respective back stories with their current scenarios and the three - alongside a solid performance from Cecil Parker as the Governor - create a decent enough melodrama that isn't half bad, even if I found Bergman - her usual emotional and over-performing self - a bit pathetic after a while.
