“Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” tells the story of an American journalist who falls in love with a Eurasian doctor in Hong Kong. Their relationship is like a delicate flower blooming amidst the chaos of war and social stigma. However, their love is met with resistance from both society and their own personal struggles. This melodramatic film explores the complexities and complications of interracial romance in a time when such relationships were taboo.
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Review
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing, directed by Henry King, is one of those classic movies that remain popular and highly regarded even after decades. Based on the semi-biographical novel by Han Suyin, the movie is a heartwarming story of love that transcends all boundaries.
The film is set in Hong Kong in 1949 during the Chinese Civil War. It follows the life of Eurasian doctor Han Suyin (played by Jennifer Jones), who falls in love with American war correspondent Mark Elliot (played by William Holden). Their unconventional love story faces many challenges as they come from different backgrounds and face societal pressure.
The movie takes place during an important period in history: China’s transition from a feudal society to a modern state. The film captures the cultural differences between East and West through its depiction of Han Suyin’s struggle to reconcile her Chinese heritage with her Western education.
One of the most memorable scenes in Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing is when Mark and Han stand on the balcony overlooking Hong Kong’s harbor. Mark says to Han: “When two people love each other, there can be no happy ending to it.” This one line encapsulates the essence of their bittersweet romance.
The acting in this movie is superb, with both Jones and Holden giving exceptional performances. Jennifer Jones received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Han Suyin, while William Holden won an Academy Award for Best Actor just two years earlier for his performance in Stalag 17.
The film’s cinematography is also noteworthy. It was shot on location in Hong Kong, which adds an authentic feel to the movie. The director also made use of vibrant colors and lighting to create a romantic atmosphere that enhances the movie’s emotional impact.
Besides its critical acclaim, Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing was also popular among audiences when it was first released. The film’s theme song, which was composed by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster, became a hit and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The production team faced challenges while making the movie. The Chinese government was reluctant to grant them permission to shoot in Hong Kong because of the movie’s content. In addition, some scenes had to be filmed with hidden cameras to avoid alerting the authorities.
Despite these challenges, Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing is considered a classic romance film that has stood the test of time. It has been screened numerous times on television and continues to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.
Critics have praised Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing for its portrayal of an interracial relationship at a time when that was not common in Hollywood movies. Some have criticized the film for perpetuating stereotypes about Chinese women as submissive and exotic.
The movie’s popularity also inspired a TV series of the same name in the 1960s, which ran for four seasons. However, it did not achieve the same critical success as the original film.
In conclusion, Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing is a classic love story that captures viewers’ hearts through its depiction of an unconventional but passionate romance set against a backdrop of historical change. The performances by Jennifer Jones and William Holden, along with the cinematography and music, make this film unforgettable.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 102
- Release : 1955-08-18
- Genre : Drama, Romance, War
- Cast : William Holden as Mark Elliott, Jennifer Jones as Dr. Han Suyin, Torin Thatcher as Humphrey Palmer-Jones, Isobel Elsom as Adeline Palmer-Jones, Murray Matheson as Dr. John Keith
- Crew : Lyle R. Wheeler as Art Direction, William Reynolds as Editor, Alfred Newman as Original Music Composer, Walter M. Scott as Set Decoration, George W. Davis as Art Direction
- Popularity 10.661
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : 20th Century Fox
- Summary : A widowed doctor of both Chinese and European descent falls in love with a married American correspondent in Hong Kong during China’s Communist revolution.
- Tagline : The price they pay when they come out of their secret garden and face the world in modern-day Hong Kong – makes this one of the screen’s unforgettable experiences!
