Waterloo Bridge (1940) | Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor

Waterloo Bridge (1940) | Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor | Just an excellent movie.

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Waterloo Bridge (1...

	Waterloo Bridge (1940) Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor Warner Home Video, 2000 average customer review:based on 39 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Vivian Leigh stars as a ballerina in war-torn England who turns to prostitution when she believes her fiance has died in the war in this drama based on Robert E. Sherwood's acclaimed play. Robert Taylor co-stars. Year: 1940 Director: Mervyn LeRoy Starring: Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor, Lucile Watson, Virginia Field, Maria Ouspenskaya

Emotionally Devestating

They met on Waterloo Bridge during an air raid. It is WWI and the world is a shambles, but in spite of the hardships, two people can still fall in love. Myra (Vivien Leigh) and Roy (Robert Taylor) feel the spark the moment they see each other and can't leave each other without knowing what it means. Myra is a dancer, a ballerina. Her teacher is very strict about men, but Myra takes the risk and has dinner with Roy anyway. And the next day she spends all of her time with him; he asks her to marry him. Unfortunately, he is called away from his military leave and the two part ways without being wed. Myra is fired from her job and is unable to find another one. Then she learns that her beloved Roy is killed. From then on, life doesn't matter and she turns to the oldest known profession for women in order to survive. And then she notices Roy in Waterloo Station, alive after all.

A perfect film from start to finish, it is a wonder that Waterloo Bridge is not released on DVD yet. Every scene is beautifully photographed with a luminocity that the pre-code version lacks. Leigh is perfectly cast as Myra; her ability to be sweet and vulnerable alternates with her strength and skill with difficult scenes. She an Taylor have wonderful chemistry together and he plays his part to perfection. The music is well done too. Everything about this film is top notch. Both actors chose this film of all of their own as their personal favorite. It is no wonder. Bring a tissue along to Waterloo Bridge; you're going to need it.

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Just an excellent movie.

We like world war 11 and love storys. This is one of the best. My husband and I both love it.

Pitch perfect romantic tearjerker

This remake of the 1931 filmed version of Robert Sherwood's play about the doomed romance of a WWI military officer and a streetwalker, is a classic tragic romance that sanitizes the original, but is distinguished by lovely performances and exquisite black and white cinematography. It is really a pitch perfect tearjerker for the period.

Vivien Leigh is heartbreaking as ballerina turned prostitute Myra, and if possible, even more beautiful than she was in Gone With The Wind. Her acting here is a far cry from the exuberance, and bold colors of a Scarlett O'Hara. Myra's emotional palette is muted, but the shifts from melancholia, to hopefulness, to despair are done flawlessly and show Leigh's great range as an actress. Robert Taylor as Captain Cronin is a fine romantic partner although at times he seems to be channeling Clark Gable's Rhett Butler in the role. There are fine supporting performances by Virginia Field as Myra's friend Kitty, and Lucille Watson as Cronin's mother.

As in most of these kinds of movies a certain amount of skepticism regarding plot elements is in order, but realism is usually sacrificed for emotional value in this genre. It is perfect for what it is.

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DVD due out in late January 2009

The original Waterloo Bridge starred Mae Clarke and was considered a pre-code, with more stark portrayal and language about the heroine's fate. Although this 1940 version was under the heavy hand of the censors, I still like it just as much as the original version. Basically we have a young woman who believes the man she loves is dead and has no way to survive but the world's oldest profession. It's not a fate she chooses, just one that she has to choose in order to eat. Yet society judges her although nobody gives her an alternative.

Everyone remembers Vivien Leigh for "Gone with the Wind", but I think that this film and "That Hamilton Woman" are truly her best performances. The romance and chemistry between her and Robert Taylor is genuine, and just adds to the tragedy of the entire film, and then there's the final scene - which I can't tell you about without spoiling it for you. Just let me say that one piece of jewelry and one line spoken in remembrance makes the film complete.

I have no idea why there are 37 reviews for this DVD release. It was only announced a few weeks ago. Thus these other reviews have to be for the VHS version as this is a premiere on DVD region one. There is no word on extra features yet.

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Taylor and Leigh at their best...all-time great tear-jerker...

Robert Taylor's favorite movie is also rumored to be one of Vivien's favorites--although at the time she was sorry that Laurence Olivier failed to get Taylor's role. (She was always seeking him as her screen partner!) But Taylor delivers the goods--great charm, presence and obviously respecting the choice assignment. As a matter of fact, he claimed afterwards that Roy was his favorite screen role.

Vivien Leigh as Myra is a revelation--here she is fresh from Scarlett O'Hara and able to inhabit another character's skin with ease, back in her oh-so-British mode and looking as young and beautiful as ever. It's a pleasure that two such charismatic stars are still being seen in this--their finest moments on screen in one of the greatest tear-jerkers of the '40s.

Special mention should be given to Lucille Watson for the way she plays the restaurant scene with Leigh at their first meeting--the mother-in-law getting the wrong impression from Leigh's reception. Nice performances by Sir C. Aubrey Smith, Virginia Field and Maria Ouspenskaya are major assets, as is the gorgeous B&W photography.

All of it is romantic, tender and charming--with an Anna Karenina-like ending after a surprising twist. For fans of Taylor and Leigh, it doesn't get any getter than this.

It's easy to see why this was Vivien Leigh's favorite role too--even if she didn't get Larry as her co-star. Probably one of the best tear-jerkers of the '40s, well worth watching.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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