User reviews

Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh when they were both young and desperately beautiful are a joy to watch in this film. He plays the great English naval hero, Nelson, and she, Lady Hamilton, the wife of the English ambassador. Another favorite movie moment of mine is after the opera given in his honor when they are in a bar, before they have actually declared their love for one another. They're talking about what they're not missing by having left the ball after the opera. She says, "This is where the real and exclusive party is." Then she tells him about himself: "Nelson in a good mood," and she makes a bored face. "Nelson in a bad mood," and makes the same face. "Nelson in an exuberant mood," with the same face a third time. He says, "Am I really such a dull fellow?" Her reply: "Only when you ask questions like that." His response is the beautiful part. He says something to the effect of, "Now I'll give my performance. What mood is this? One guess." And he leans his chin on his hand and gazes into her eyes. She guesses something like, "Nelson allowing himself to be just a little bit happy?" He shakes his head slowly and says, "Nelson in love." She leans forward and her chin touches his hand, and just then a group of soldiers, including his son, enter the bar. The moment is all the better because you're left wanting more!

One of the best known stories of adultery in British history is the one between Lord Horatio Nelson and the enchanting Emma Hamilton. This film by Alexander Korda takes that story and does not disappoint.

In the pivotal role of Emma, Vivien Leigh shines in a role that came not long after her international triumph in 'Gone With The Wind'. Her Emma is flirty, scheming, and delightful, and you can see why she captured the heart of Nelson. The part of Nelson is taken by Vivien Leigh's real-life husband, Laurence Olivier, and his stuffed-shirt persona suits the role perfectly.

In support, Alan Mowbray (as the cuckolded Lord Hamilton), and Gladys Cooper (as the snide Lady Nelson), are excellent, and the standard of script, photography, and direction is high throughout.

This was said to be Winston Churchill's favourite wartime film, and you can see the attraction. It was given a coda which showed that Emma didn't profit from her liaison but this is a small price to pay for such a sumptuous and engaging film.

This is a beautiful period piece with the incomparable Vivien Leigh at her peak, just after GWTW and Waterloo Bridge. For a 1940's era production, the sets and lighting are outstanding, and the remaining cast is credible. Laurence Olivier may have been the best actor in history, but I do not appreciate it here. Perhaps this was not his best role. Leigh runs circles around him.

This film is worth a look for Leigh fans and those liking British period work, along with war propaganda. Here the noble civilized Brits are threatened by Napoleon (which is easily drawn to comparison with Hitler, being 1941).

Certainly, this is worth a look. Jolly Good Show.

If nothing else, 'That Hamilton Woman' proved two things: Vivien Leigh is just as beautiful in black and white as she is in the glorious technicolor of 'GWTW'; and when it comes to the cinema, her acting technique on screen is every bit as expert as Laurence Olivier's. (In fact, Olivier himself admitted this when he saw a screening of her Scarlett O'Hara performance.)

At any rate, my main interest in seeing this film was that I learned it was Winston Churchill's favorite movie during World War II, dealing as it does with the British admiralty and the threat of war and domination. As Lady Hamilton, Vivien Leigh narrates the story and since it is told from her viewpoint, she manages to dominate with her beauty and acting prowess. How she rises from abject poverty to become Lord Nelson's mistress makes up the bulk of the story--which sometimes seems a bit unbelievable. However, since both stars were at the time married to others, one can easily see that these roles suited both of them to perfection. Surely, if anyone could identify with these characters, they could!

Slow moving in spots, handsomely photographed in black and white, it is interesting to note how very British Leigh actually was when not assuming a more American way of talking (as in 'GWTW') -- proof indeed that she was a good actress. Of all of her films after "Gone with the Wind", I prefer her in 'Waterloo Bridge' (with Robert Taylor). Following that, I would choose this one.

Some of the ships are obvious models--but other than that, the production is a handsome one. Worth seeing for the two stars alone.

I recall seeing this film when I was very young and felt sad about it. Now that I'm almost very old I still find it fascinating to watch. It seemed strange how Emma (Vivien Leigh) could rise to such prominence in life to become a Lady Hamilton and eventually fall so low, yes and sadly.

The movie begins at the lower rung, in her later life as she's caught stealing and put in prison where she recounts her story to others. We are taken back in time to her youth and arrival in Italy where, after some thoughtful consideration of her situation in life, Emma agrees to marry the elderly Sir Hamilton, and rather enjoys her position as Lady Hamilton, a glittering socialite.

Events of Napoleonic wartime bring Lord Nelson (Laurence Olivier) into their sphere when in need of supplies and he also seeks to warn them. Yet it is Fate that draws these two, Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, together in one of the great love stories of their time. It is touching to note Emma's care and concern for Horatio when his health is needing attention. For years their bittersweet romance must struggle to blossom against the ill-will of public opinion.

Vivien Leigh never looked more beautiful and one can see more of the true person she was after setting aside her role in "Gone With the Wind." Laurence Olivier, an actor of many disguises, is well masked in the injuries that Lord Nelson sustained in battle. One can almost feel he is the victim of circumstances as he moves from battles to home front. I don't know that much about the real history or the current politics involved when the movie was made but I always regarded this film as one of the great love stories of the past.

I've always admired Olivier and thought him one of the great actors in films. Then I see a movie like That Hamilton Woman or Rebecca or Fire Over England and it reminds that as a romantic lead Larry was rather dull. Other than his steadfast bearing his Lord Nelson displays nothing of the panache or strength that the real Nelson most have had. That leaves Vivien Leigh. At the height of her extraordinary beauty and coming off her best actress Oscar for Gone the Wind. She is nothing less than compelling and gives a magnetic believable performance. As for the rest of the movie it's pretty stage bound and stiff considering the momentous period in history it covers. Watch it for Vivien Leigh in her prime but don't expect much else.

This has been one of my very favorite movies for a long time and I recommend it to whomever will listen to me. Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier make a terrific pair and of course have great chemistry together, which really complements this true story. The actors give great performances, and I think the film really tries hard not judge the actions of Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson which caused a tremendous scandal in their own time. Anyone who likes historical drama and wants to escape into another world for a few hours is bound to enjoy.

Vivien stars as another version of Scarlett O'Hara, a woman who wants to be considered a lady even though she doesn't really act like it. A former dancer, and currently penniless, she wants to make a good impression on the wealthy Lord Hamilton, Alan Mowbray. Her mother, the common but delightful Sara Albright, lives with her and acts as her maid after Vivien is successful in her quest. Married to Alan, she's very happy to act in her new role of Lady Hamilton (which was the original title of the film). She looks beautiful in her gowns and hairstyles, and she soon learns what will make a good hostess and how to best support her husband.

Where does Laurence Olivier come in? We all rented this movie to see the married couple up on the screen together, right? He plays a highly respected soldier, introduced to Vivien through her husband. He's also married, but he's drawn to the beautiful lady nonetheless. This classic celebrates forbidden love, all with the comfort of knowing that the pair who can't have each other onscreen can go home together off screen. They're both very beautiful people, and although Larry has a slight impediment in this movie, it's still a treat to see pretty people falling in love. All tied together with a very pretty, sad, and romantic theme by Miklos Rozsa, this is a classic not to be missed - especially if you like Scarlett O'Hara and wish she'd made more movies.

Good biopic on the life of Lady Emma Hamilton, and her relationship with Lord Horatio Nelson. Played by real-life couple Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. Interesting as a historical reference piece, as a romantic-drama, and for seeing two screen legends, Olivier and Leigh, playing opposite each other.

Well written and directed. It does get bogged down in the third quarter or so though.

The battle sequence - Trafalgar (of course) - is excellent, especially for 1941.

The stunningly beautiful Vivien Leigh is superb in the lead role. Laurence Olivier puts in a solid performance as Lord Nelson.

Told by Emma Hart (Vivien Leigh) as a flashback on her life when she was on hard times later in her life, the film portrays her rise to courtly fame and fall from social grace after her affair with the Lord Horatio Nelson (Lawrence Olivier).She is supported by her mother, (Sara Allgood) and makes the acquaintance of the British envoy (Hamilton) to Naples in about 1798.The latter is looking for a trophy wife to add to his collection of sculptures being something of an aesthete and he manages to successfully disabuse Emma from the idea that her fiance will follow her onto Naples.Later he pursades Emma to marry him, more as a platonic relationship to show off.(Nothing has changed).All goes well and Emma further rises in court circles by befriending the King and Queen of Naples.

One day a 21 gun salute announces the arrival in the bay of Naples of the Lord Horatio Nelson on a diplomatic mission.Inevitably he and Emma have their grand affair and the British envoy seems to take it on the chin, (high society did not marry for love in those days).Unfortunately although it is love, Mrs Nelson(Dame Gladys Cooper) will not give Horatio the divorce he craves and his career could mean you were years between meetings with your spouse.The affair will not help his career with the Admiralty either.Of course the day dawns (October 21 1805) off the Cape of Trafalgar (Spain) when Britain took on the combined French and Spanish fleets under Nelson's command.Why did he decide to go on his flagship Victory's quarter deck against good advice showing all his medals and braid, thus making him an obvious target for the sharpshooters in the rigging of "Le Redoubtable"? Was it an unconscious desire to end his life because his private life was then untenable?After his great victory and national rejoicing, his body was preserved in a keg of rum in preparation for a state funeral at St. Paul's Catherdral, London after the voyage home.Trafalgar Square was built in his honour and was laid out in about 1840.When Hamilton dies, Emma graciously refuses to profit from his estate to the detriment of his legitimate son and heirs.With no financial support from her dead love, she falls on hard times.

Obviously Leigh and Olivier had a natural chemistry together because of their marriage and previous affair.Vivien looks utterly exquisite and this film would look sumptuous if a colourised version could now be made available to film connoiseurs.After seeing and reading several versions of Winston Churchill's biography, it was obvious he had a great admiration for historic British martial heros, so it came as no surprise to me that this was his favourite film.Unmissable if you are a Larry and Vivien film fan.I rated it 7/10

First of all, the film is too long by about 35 minutes. Given the star quality of Olivier and Leigh at the time, that's probably deliberate. Never mind that we see several scenes that cover the same self-conflicted feelings again and again. Some scenes are embarrassingly overwrought, and one can only blame the director. Leigh especially thinks more is more, and seems never to have heard of nuance. The battle scenes are typical of British film of the era, with models standing in for real ships. Granted, the film was made during wartime, but even before the war British production values were meager -- the reason Hitchcock packed up for America. There is a death scene that goes on way too long, which dips the film further down into its melodramatic depths. As the film returns from the protracted flashback, it abruptly ends, with no explanation of what had happened to That Hamilton Woman after the recollections.

The patriotic message is repeated often enough to help establish the film as encouragement for the British to hang in there during these war years of the 1940's. I found myself wondering if the treatment of the Italians as uncultured fools was based on Italy's alliance with Germany, or merely a fairly typical English attitude of superiority that defined (at least) the 1930's (mirrored in my recent reading of Agatha Christie's novels, which rather blatantly sneer at Italians and other foreigners).

I was rather surprised that this film was deserving of the Criterion Collection treatment. But then again, they seem to think Douglas Sirk is a genius, too.

Screen biography of Emma, Lady Hamilton, whose love for Lord Nelson (the British naval hero of the Napoleonic wars) scandalized the Regency world.

Vivien Leigh is in almost every frame, and completely dominates the film. The story is all about Lady Hamilton and her unhappy marriage, her love for Nelson, and the consequences of leaving her stodgy husband to live adulterously and with the man she loved. (He was already famous before Trafalger, this was the "Monicagate" of its day) It's a fine soap opera, centered around a performance that can only be called luminous.

The camera doesn't just love Leigh, it gets down on its knees and worships her. Even in GWTW she never looked so unbelievably beautiful, and she's also completely charming and sensitive. The great Sir Laurence Olivier doesn't have a chance, he barely registers. He's handicapped by a serious lack of screen time and a dreadful red pony-tail wig, but the director seems to have decided to give him short shrift so he can squeeze in a few more exquisite close-ups of Leigh being enchanting. And she is, oh is she ever...

A quality UK production from Korda featuring then-married couple Leigh and Olivier. It's a lavish, highly romanticised version of the enduring love affair between Emma Hamilton and Lord Nelson that's carefully written to show them in the best possible light (despite both being married when they embarked upon their affair) and to incorporate a number of patriotic speeches at a time when Britain was struggling in the war.

Vivien Leigh, two years after "Gone With the Wind," is remarkable here again. She possesses those Scarlet like qualities here.

The film uses history as a backdrop in exploring the relation between Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson, a tragic ill-fated romance if there ever were.

Though very effective in the part, Laurence Olivier is certainly not dominant here.

In addition, there are some very fine supporting performances. Gladys Cooper again shows her mettle; this time as Lord Nelson's wife. Ms. Cooper, a terrific actress, always came to life when she portrayed domineering, bitchy types, refusing to compromise. This part would start the foundation for her memorable performance the following year in "Now, Voyager."

In the same year that she snagged a supporting actress nomination for "How Green Was My Valley," Sara Allgood appears in this film as Lady Hamilton's mother. She literally shows a common touch to this role.

Alan Mowbray is excellent as the older man that Leigh marries for social position and standing. This is quite different than his usual comedic parts.

The battle scenes at Trafalgar are well done.

This is a great film for history buffs and the romantic.

I watched this in tribute to Olivier’s 100th Anniversary (I had it recorded off local TV for several years!); I’ve a few other unwatched Oliviers, such as THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL (1957; which he also directed) and THE BETSY (1977), but both are clearly minor efforts. Besides, I’ve yet to catch up with a couple more Korda productions on VHS – THE PRIVATE LIFE OF DON JUAN (1934; also directed by him) and LYDIA (1941; Julien Duvivier’s Americanized remake of his own UN CARNET DE BAL [1937]).

Made by Korda’s London Films (and distributed by United Artists) during the influential producer/director’s brief sojourn in Hollywood, the film was designed as both a vehicle for the Laurence Olivier/Vivien Leigh team and as propaganda for Britain’s war effort (the script, written by Walter Reisch and R.C. Sheriff, equates Napoleon Bonaparte all-too-obviously with Hitler); still, it doesn’t refrain from showing the tragedy of war – Nelson himself loses an eye and a hand and, finally, has his spine broken by a bullet! It’s a typically opulent production (cinematography by Rudolph Mate' and sets designed by another Korda, Vincent), climaxing with a spectacular sea battle (highlighting Lawrence Butler’s special effects and a Miklos Rosza score) and winning the film an Oscar for Sound Recording.

Long and occasionally melodramatic (an incident which I learned from the history books, for instance – detailing the Brits’ attempt to retrieve Malta from the French – is depicted here as having been compromised by the Lady Hamilton/Admiral Nelson affair), but always interesting – with the stars’ scenes together having a genuine sparkle to them. Incidentally, this was their only pairing as a married couple and they both deliver fine performances – Leigh’s character is somewhat similar to her Scarlett O’Hara in GONE WITH THE WIND (1939), while Olivier makes for a vigorous and dashing Nelson (despite the necessity to wear disfiguring make-up for a good part of the running-time). The supporting cast, then, is peppered with familiar character actors of the era – led by Alan Mowbray and Gladys Cooper as the two lovers’ respective long-suffering spouses (the former’s death scene, having gone mad, is especially moving), and also including plum roles for Sara Allgood (as Emma’s mother) and Henry Wilcoxon (as Nelson’s lieutenant).

Other films have been made about this famous historical affair, notably the Silents LADY HAMILTON (1921) – with Conrad Veidt as Nelson – and THE DIVINE LADY (1929) – which won director Frank Lloyd his first Oscar – and, years later, BEQUEST TO THE NATION (1973) – with Glenda Jackson as Lady Hamilton and Peter Finch as Admiral Lord Nelson; THAT HAMILTON WOMAN (which, by the way, is said to be Winston Churchill’s favorite movie!) is the only one I’ve watched myself.

The movie features a great and intriguing story, set during the Napoleon era, when England was in war with France. It's a story about love and war. In other words a great typical epic historical drama.

It features a still young Laurence Olivier in an also early role from him. Especially his voice and accent makes him see and sound almost unrecognizable. His acting is great but I also must admit that his acting improved more over the years. He probably is one of my favorite actors of all time actually. Vivien Leigh still gives the best performance of the movie and her character carries the movie. No big surprise of course, since this movie is an autobiographic one about Emma Lady Hamilton, the character played by Vivien Leigh, who is historically known as the mistress of Lord Horatio Nelson. Of course the acting is quite melodramatic at parts but that is due to the movie its time settings and genre and the time period it got made in. The movie got made shortly after Laurence Olivier en Vivien Leigh got married together. A marriage that would last for 20 years, which is quite long for an Hollywood marriage, even an early one.

It's a great written movie with wonderful dialog in it. It's a story that is being told with lots of class and pace, ensuring that the movie gets never dull in parts. It also really isn't as melodramatic as you perhaps would expect from a movie from within such a genre and time period it got made and set in. Quite surprised it didn't get nominated for any important Oscar's at its time. Perhaps it was because due to the very reason that the movie wasn't as typical and melodramatic as most other movies of its time. But oh well, it got released in a tough year, with other nominees such as "Citizen Kane", "Sergeant York" and "The Maltese Falcon". It still did get nominated for 4 Oscar's though, of which best cinematography, black-and-white, was the most important one. It only won the one for best sound, recording.

But it's not hard to see why this movie still got mostly nominated in the visual categories. The movie is a great looking, not only due to its settings but also its costume design, sets and of course most importantly it's nice dynamic camera-work, that in parts also seemed quite modern for its time. Cinematographer Rudolph Maté would receive a total of 5 Oscar nominations during his life and career but he unfortunately never won any. Oh well, at least he still had a great career, with also some great classics behind his name, such as "Stella Dallas", "The Lady from Shanghai", "Dodsworth", "Vampyr - Der Traum des Allan Grey" and really many, many more.

Even though the movie is just 2 hours short, it feels much longer because the story is so epic and so many things happen in it. The movie is also set at many different location in Europe, which enhances the movie its epic feeling.

A great, grand romantic drama, based on real events.

9/10

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Alexander Korda's historical drama pivots on and beautifies the real-life adulterous romance between Emma Hamilton (Leigh), a courtesan-turned-wife-of-British-ambassador and British Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson (Olivier) during the dawn of the Napoleonic war in the beginning of 19th century.

First and foremost, it is a star vehicle unflinchingly banks on Leigh and Olivier, the then newlyweds' prestige, then gauging by its release date, it also functions as a patriotic war propaganda urging USA to join the ongoing WWII against the Axis. (which soon would be precipitated by Japan's stealth raid on Pearl Harbor) However, after watching this sketchy account of the scandalous relationship against a very broad historic outline which Korda and his screenwriters have devised, one's natural leaning would tend to be rather ambiguous, Horatio is an out-and-out national hero (Olivier gives a very measured, even somewhat stiff performance which doesn't consonant with his reputation), who devotes his life to fight for the right cause and accrues many victories for his fatherland, which costs him an eye, an arm and eventually his life. Yet, in the end of the day, his country downright fails him, too moralistic to pay due care to Emma, the woman he truly loves, after his untimely demise, not to mention, it is "that woman" who plays a critical role not once but twice (according to the movie's story-line), when Nelson and the Great Britain desperately need aids from Naples, she proves to be much more tactful than her then husband Sir William Hamilton (Mowbray), the British ambassador to Naples. Thus, why would anyone be spurred by this account into laying down one's life in the face of that one's country cannot even promise to safeguard the ones he or she loves ?

So, the war propaganda train has gone off-rail, but as a showpiece, Vivien Leigh is utterly ravishing in this tailor-made character, which boils down to her actions, reactions, line-delivery, miens and gestures, are all highlighted with subdued close-ups exude a dainty aura of divinity and desirability, and the story is almost exclusively told through her eye's-view, a young woman unwittingly sold by her dissolute lover to enter a marriage (under which circumstance she caves in) where she is regarded as a precious art collection by her well-off husband, impeccable, forever young but with no love, and for once, the husband, is not a man possessed by the green-eyed monster when Emma finds passion and attraction in another man, an apotheosis of virtues, he can suavely dole out constructive advice to her but never stands in their way. Emma is not a grasping soul, mirrored by the happy-go-lucky temperament of her mother (a jolly and welcomingly earthy Sara Allgood), she isn't craving for William's fortune because she knows she doesn't deserve it, but there is no way Horatio can marry her because Lady Nelson (an animosity-simmering Gladys Cooper) refuses to relinquish her title and gives her blessing to the love birds. At any rate, Emma and Horatio spend their last days together in modest comforts, until he is summoned for the famous Battle of Trafalgar, and for the first time (also the last time), we are steered to the epic sea battle scenery, understandably jerry-built in its studio-bound model conjuring, nevertheless an impressive feat in the eyes of its original audience.

As ineffable as Ms. Leigh is, the film itself doesn't pan out as a classical stunner, impeded by its innately episodic narrative, a rash flashback frame and a lackluster co-star, it is best to be served as a scrumptious feast to ogle Ms. Leigh's glamor and glory in her acme, and taking into account of her rather scanty filmography, it might as well sneaks into that must-see list for film lovers all over the world.

Thus says Vivian Leigh when asked "What happened then, what happened after". As she lies in prison, drunk and penniless, she describes to a fellow prisoner, her life as the beloved mistress of one of England's greatest heroes.

This is a film that stays with you, not only for the story of the ill-fated romance of Admiral Lord Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton, but also for the perfect casting of the leads, Vivian Leigh and Laurence Olivier. They were impossibly beautiful and besotted with each other in real life (they had just married). That attraction was obvious on the screen and reflected the love affair of the characters they portrayed.

The story follows Lady Emma's life from a possession passed from nephew to uncle (Sir Edward Hamilton, well played by Alan Mowbray), to her marriage to Hamilton and her meeting with Horatio Nelson. From that point, it's time to bring out the hankies as the love affair, doomed from the beginning, moves to its inevitable conclusion. There is more than enough pathos to move the most jaded movie lover.

One of my favorite scenes in the film is that in which Nelson returns to Naples against orders to rescue Emma and she collapses against him saying "I would have died if you would have left me here".

The film may not be for all tastes, as it contains a plethora of propaganda aimed at the US which was still neutral in WWII, and does not portray the characters exactly as they may have been. But I say "Who cares"??? It's the kind of love story that will grab your heart and bring you back to watch it again and again.

It seems impossible to find it on anything but tape......my copy is on BETA which goes to show how badly I want to have repeated viewings!!!!

Perhaps the two greatest stars of British cinema, Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, come together for the third and final time in Alexander Korda's extravagant period piece drama depicting the tragic romance between Lady Emma Hamilton and Lord Horatio Nelson. Married at the time, they certainly had chemistry, though it is not as apparent as you might think. Indeed, the entire tone of the film is quite subtle; most of the great scenes involve simple dialogue and soft music in the background. With such charismatic actors and a strong story to support, that is all that's needed.

Many would say Leigh outshines her husband in this role and it's hard to disagree with that. In every scene, she shows what a brilliant and engaging actress she was before personal troubles brought her career to an abrupt ending. Whether black and white or color, Leigh always looks stunning and commands all her scenes. Olivier is always strong as the heroic Lord Nelson, leader of the British fleet that was constantly at war with Napoleon's French navy. However, the story concerns itself more with the relationship between these two strong-willed, determined people.

One of the aspects so interesting is the way in which the affair is conducted. Despite the obvious resistance from their respective spouses, neither Lady Hamilton nor Nelson do anything rash or outrageous. They continue their own ways of life and seemingly accept the cards they've been dealt. It shows the manner of the times; there is no attempt to create a better life for themselves together at the expense of those who helped them make it. Honor and loyalty remain, yet at the center is a blossoming and passionate romance that seems to be the antithesis of society. Also, with Olivier and Leigh, they create sympathy for characters that shouldn't receive it.

The question to ask is what does a film like this attempt to do? For starters, it establishes a well-defined tone throughout the story and draws us in completely. For the entire running time, the film never lags and is always engaging and interesting. Certainly Korda wasn't expecting to make any kind of great masterpiece. Yet perhaps he did. Supposedly this was Winston Churchill's favorite film and was seen at the time of its release as war propaganda against Germany. However you look at it, it is clearly a timeless love story thanks in no small part to its timeless actors.

This period piece and melodrama produced in Hollywood in the late-'30s and filmed in monochrome features one of Laurence Olivier's flair performances. He sports facial battle scars, a sling, a false nose, a leather eye-patch, flowing cape, tricorn hat, glittering medals and stars and sun-bleached lemon-blond hair pulled into a pony-tail tied with a thick velvet ribbon. His organic, stoical, humanistic 18th-Century character exposition is very English and very human reflecting Nelson - a classical figure from the Age of Enlightenment. The Battle of Trafalgar is full-blooded and is very well realised. His Nelson is a stablemate to his grandiloquent perforance as the Duke of Wellington in 1972's Lady Caroline Lamb in which he sports a Royal Blue silk sash, Regency Era wavy-chestnut hair and hooked false putty nose at ease imbibing a glass of sherry. Olivier seems to capture time and space like no other classical actor.

Leigh plays the titular socialite who is essentially forced to marry into Italian society where she begins a notorious affair with Nelson, played by Olivier.

Stirring enough romance with Olivier doing all the speeches and stiff upper lip British stuff - filmed during wartime Britain. It is though Leigh's film as she gives another barnstorming performance which manages to carefully capture the line between a fine romance and the evils of adultery - although the wrap around section showing her later in life to demonstrate her inevitable fall from grace is a bum note.