Esther Waters

1948

1h 48m

IMDb RATING

5.9/10

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Drama

Esther goes into service in Victorian England, only to be seduced by the sweet talking groom William, who then takes off with his employer's daughter. Left alone to bring up the child, Esther manages and after 7 years has a chance at happiness. Then William turns up again...

Directors

Ian Dalrymple

Writers

George Moore(novel by)

Michael Gordon(screenplay by)

William Rose(screenplay by)

Stars

Dirk Bogarde

Kathleen Ryan

Cyril Cusack

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Top cast

William Latch

Esther Waters

Fred

John Randall

Mrs. Barfield

Journeyman

Ketley

Mrs. Latch

Hospital nurse

Margaret

Directors

Ian Dalrymple

Writers

George Moore(novel by)

Michael Gordon(screenplay by)

William Rose(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews1

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Featured review

6/10

This is quite a decent Victorian melodrama that sees naive housemaid "Esther" (Kathleen Ryan) fall for the mischievous charms of "Latch" (Dirk Bogarde). Left high and dry - with their baby - after he absconds with another woman, she must struggle to hold down a job and make ends meet at a time when there was no such thing as maternity leave. It is just when she seems to be making some progress that her nemesis turns up again - by now a quite successful pub owner and gambler with underlying health problems - and when he realises that they had a child together, he wants to try to help - and their drama intensifies. There are some lovey scenes set around the famous Epsom Derby horse race and when both actors are on screen at the same time, there is a distinct and quite engaging chemistry between Ryan and Bogarde. Sadly, though, the screenplay isn't up to much and though the support from the likes of Cyril Cusack and the rather matter-of-fact Nuna Davey as the matron tries it's best, the drama itself is actually quite weak and predictable. Keep an eye out for the zip on her frock - a woman well ahead of her times!

Geronimo196709 Jul, 2022