The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

disgusting, overrated, pointless

Admirable film.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

"The Barretts of Wimpole Street" made in 1957, is a remake of an earlier MGM movie made in 1934. Here Jennifer Jones plays the invalid poetess Elizabeth Barrett. The film focus primarily on her, but also tells the story of her siblings and her father (John Gielgud). Elizabeth Barrett is an invalid, confined to her bedroom, where she writes poetry. Her father is a stern and tyrannical man, obsessing over her illness, which we are told is a serious heart ailment. Elizabeth meets the poet Robert Browning (Bill Travers), and two quickly form a bond of friendship, which becomes more romantic later on. Elizabeth overcomes much of her illness, urged on by Browning, much to the dismay of her father. Virginia McKenna has a strong supporting role as Elizabeth's sister. She falls in love with a Captain, and incurs her father's wrath; in a cruel and heartbreaking scene, he makes her swear on a bible never to see him again. Elizabeth begins to see her father for who he really is; a man hardened by life and the loss of his wife. In a creepy scene, he seems to profess his love for Elizabeth that clearly has incestuous overtones. Elizabeth knows she has to get away from her father, which she does, marrying Browning. Overall, the film is beautiful to look at; the technicolor is well-done, and the performances are respectable. It is difficult to judge Jennifer Jones in this remake vs. Norma Schearer's in the earlier one, since both were made at different times. Shearer was a more theatrical actress, typical of the 1930's; Jones is more of a natural actress. I think Jones pulls it off nicely. John Gielgud plays his part with all the tyranny and bluster required of him. Bill Travers as Robert Browning is respectable, although at times he seems to yell his lines. THe film drags a bit at times, but overall, as far as remakes go this is a well-made film.

"The Barretts of Wimpole Street" (1957) is a word-for-word remake of the classic 1934 version by the same name. And, as such, I wonder why anyone should even bother seeing this film. After all, since the original version was a very nice and well-acted film (despite Charles Laughton overacting a bit), I can't see seeing a re-make--especially one that took almost no effort to make. Now I am not saying the 1957 film is bad--it is lovely to look at and the story is interesting. I just don't believe in rewarding studios for slap-dash remakes. In fact, unless the original film is seriously flawed and the remake corrects this, I can see no logical reason to see the remake and usually make it a habit to avoid them! So why did I watch the 1957 film? Well, I was flying cross-country and this film was one of the choices on the menu for in-flight films. And, in this sense, it fit the bill--and was pleasant but not particularly inspired.

This version of The Barretts Of Wimpole Street lacks for nothing, it's certainly an improvement over the 1934 version in a technical sense with the wide screen and color. It even has the same musical theme that Herbert Stothart wrote for the earlier version that starred Norma Shearer, Fredric March and Charles Laughton.Jennifer Jones was following in some mighty big footsteps in portraying Elizabeth Barrett. Not only Norma Shearer's, but Katherine Cornell who originated the role in the original Broadway production in 1931 which ran for 370 performances in those Depression years. That is something that should tell you more than anything else about how good this play is. Jen creates her own sense of intelligent regal beauty as the frail poetess who summons up the courage and strength to stand up to her tyrannical father.Charles Laughton was widely quoted as saying that in his portrayal of the issue ridden Moulton Barrett, the censors couldn't censor the gleam in his eye to get past the Code. The Code by 1957 was cracking and John Gielgud used a couple of direct physical moves rather than camera closeups to show his incestuous feelings for his daughter. Gielgud still gives a fine account of himself, though Mr. Laughton set the standard for that role. On stage it was originated by Charles Waldron who moviegoers will best remember from his last part as General Sternwood in The Big Sleep.Bill Travers plays a somewhat different Robert Browning than Brian Aherne on stage and Fredric March on the screen. Both of those men are refined types and Browning is a bit more boisterous in this film than he was in the previous one. Still he's ready to do right by Jones and take her from the tyranny she lives under.Though the 1934 film is an MGM classic, none of the people associated with this version have anything to be ashamed about. This is a story that could be made today. I can see the casting already, Hugh Grant as Robert Browning, Kate Winslet as Elizabeth Barrett, and Tom Wilkinson as Moulton.I'd pay for a ticket to that. Until then we have two very good classic screen versions.

I thought this was a very good movie. I always found it amazing that Jennifer Jones was so effective in it as she was hardly a young woman when making this movie. Nevertheless, you hardly notice it and she is really excellent in it. I also thought Gielgeud (I think I am misspelling his name!) and McKenna were also excellent. I love when she is able to tell him after he orders her to get the dog to kill it, "She took Flush with her." It is such a triumph for Barret, for the sister, and of course for Flush too!!! Another reviewer mentioned that they kept thinking of The Heiress in watching this movie. I have thought so too at times. I feel De Haviland would have been great in this role, or actually in a few other of Jones' roles over the years too (Good Morning Miss Dove, Love Letters, and Cluny Brown all come to mind). But Jones was wonderful in each and in this one too. She certainly makes one seek out some of Barret and Browning's poems.