Year of Release: 1936Country of Origin: UK
Director: Alexander Korda
Cast: Charles Laughton, Gertrude Lawrence, Elsa Lanchester
Plot outline: A look at the life of the famous painter Rembrandt, from the ages of 28 to 63 (IMDb).
While Charles Laughton is perhaps best known for his Oscar-winning performance as Henry VIII (in Alexander Korda’s The Private Life of Henry VIII, 1933), many believe that his work in this little-seen historical biopic by Korda is even better. Refreshingly, at just 81 minutes long, the episodic Rembrandt doesn’t try to relate every detail of the famed artist’s life: instead, it starts with the death of Rembrandt’s (unseen) wife Saskia, then moves on to chronicle Rembrandt’s financial struggles, his relationship with his sharp-tongued housekeeper (Gertrude Lawrence), and his scandalized but loving affair with a housemaid (Elsa Lanchester). Korda’s decision not to show Rembrandt’s paintings (with the strategic exception of “The Night Watch” - an essential early plot element) is a wise one; instead, the movie’s impressive attention to visual detail (sets, costumes, and props are all stunning) allows us to feel genuinely immersed in Rembrandt’s work-a-day world of 17th century Holland. It’s Laughton’s central performance that really carries the movie, however: even when simply dictating scripture passages, the world around him literally stands still, and we along with it. While I’m not normally a fan of Hollywood biopics (they tend to take themselves far too seriously, not to mention playing fast and furious with the facts), Rembrandt stands out a notch above the crowd, and remains worthy viewing for all film fanatics. (FF)
My judgement: *** out of 4 stars
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