The Reluctant Widow

1950

1h 31m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

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Drama

A young governess becomes embroiled in French spy intrigue, in this adaptation of a Georgette Heyer novel.

Directors

Bernard Knowles

Writers

Gordon Wellesley(writer by)

Georgette Heyer(novel by)

Basil Boothroyd(writer by)

Stars

Jean Kent

Guy Rolfe

Kathleen Byron

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Top cast

Jean Kent

Elinor Cheviot

Guy Rolfe

Lord Carlyon

Kathleen Byron

Mme. Annette de Chevreaux

Nicky

Lord Bedlington

Lord Nivelle

Becky

Francois Cheviot

Eustace Cheviot

Mrs. Barrows

Scowler

Sir Malcolm Torrens

Dr. Greenlaw

Vicar

Colonel

Directors

Bernard Knowles

Writers

Gordon Wellesley(writer by)

Georgette Heyer(novel by)

Basil Boothroyd(writer by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

This has, on paper, quite a workmanlike cast to deliver a story of 18th century espionage but sadly it all falls rather flat. Jean Kent is "Helena" who marries a dying man so she can inherit his estate. Shortly afterwards, he duly pops his clogs and she finds herself embroiled in a conspiracy involving a dreadfully wooden Guy Rolfe ( - her new cousin "Lord Carylon") and a not much better Paul Dupuis ("Lord Nivelle"). Kathleen Byron features sparingly but even she cannot really help this dreary and frequently quite confusing costume drama catch fire. It's wordy and plodding, with what little opportunities to swash and buckle drowned thoroughly by the poorly written script and the somewhat token nod to Anglo-French history. Andrew Cruickshank pops up too and the eagle-eyed amongst us might spot the avuncular Peter Bull in a stagecoach. I usually enjoy these kind of films, but this one has little by way of production values or plot to redeem it, sorry.

Geronimo196727 Dec, 2022