Under Capricorn [Blu-ray]

Overview

Returning to his old Elstree Studios headquarters in England, Alfred Hitchcock did his best with Hume Cronyn's adaptation of the James Bridie novel Under Capricorn. Costume drama was never Hitchcock's forte, as proven by his disappointing Jamaica Inn (1939), but Capricorn does have its moments. Set in Australia in the early 19th century, the film concerns the tribulations of Lady Henrietta (Ingrid Bergman), who was driven out of her home in disgrace after eloping with unkempt stableman Sam Flusky (Joseph Cotten). Accused of the murder of Henrietta's brother, Flusky has been transported to Australia, where he starts life anew as a prosperous businessman, even while his wife descends further and further into alcoholism and self-hatred. When her cousin Charles Adare (Michael Wilding) comes to visit, Henrietta falls in love with him; she also confides that it was she, and not Flusky, who was responsible for her brother's death. The operatic climax finds Lady Henrietta doing the "right thing" at the cost of her own happiness. At times ponderously directed, the film comes explosively to life whenever Margaret Leighton, cast as Lady Henrietta's spiteful housekeeper, dominates the scene. On a technical level, Under Capricorn is distinguished by the same "ten-minute takes" that Hitchcock had utilized in Rope; particularly effective is an uninterrupted dialogue sequence, played against the backdrop of a spectacular Technicolor sunset (courtesy cinematographer Jack Cardiff).

Product Details

Release Date:	06/19/2018
UPC:	0738329228705
Original Release:	1949
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kino Classics
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound]
Language:	English
Time:	1:57:00
Sales rank:	14,821

Special Features

Audio commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger; Hitchcock/Truffaut: icon interviews icon (audio); Cinema of signs: Claude Chabrol on Alfred Hitchcock; Original theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ingrid Bergman	Lady Henrietta Flusky
Joseph Cotten	Sam Flusky
Michael Wilding	Hon. Charles Adare
Margaret Leighton	Milly
Cecil Parker	Governor
Denis O'Dea	Corrigan
Jack Watling	Winter
Harcourt Williams	Coachman
John Ruddock	Mr. Potter
Ronald Adam	Mr. Riggs
Francis de Wolff	Commissioner
G.H. Mulcaster	Dr. McAllister
Olive Sloane	Sal
Maureen Delaney	Flo
Bill Shine	Mr. Banks
Julia Lang	Susan
Betty McDermott	Martha
Roderick Lovell	Actor
Victor Lucas	Rev. Smiley
Joseph Cotton	Actor
Ivor Barry	1st Guard in Hall
Martin Benson	Man Carrying Shrunken Head
David Keir	Man Checking Invitations at Ball
Ronnie Hillman	2nd Guard in Hall
Lloyd Pearson	Land Agent
Michael Wilding Sr.	Hon. Charles Adare
Richard Turner	Clerk
Lisa Harrow	Actor
Richard Addinsell	Composer

Technical Credits

James Bridie

Hume Cronyn

John Colton

Margaret Linden

Helen Simpson

Alfred Hitchcock	Director,Producer
James Bridie	Screenwriter
Hume Cronyn	Screenwriter
John Colton	Playwright,Screenwriter
Margaret Linden	Playwright,Screenwriter
Sidney Bernstein	Producer,Producer
Helen Simpson	Screenwriter
John Aldred	Sound Effects
Peter Handford	Sound Effects,Sound/Sound Designer
A.W. Watkins	Sound Effects,Sound/Sound Designer