Review: That Hamilton Woman
A couple of weeks ago partner and I finally got round to watching That Hamilton Woman by Alexander Korda and I must say we both thoroughly enjoyed it! It's very much "of its time" but it's still very watchable. The film looks stunning, the battle scenes are very convincing and Vivienne Leigh and Laurence Olivier are as good as you would expect as Hamilton and Nelson.
Leigh is almost as gorgeous as Emma herself and gets to wear some splendid frocks. I was especially fond of the gown she wore for the ball following Neslon's return from Aboukir, which had a bodice like a little middy's jacket with anchors embroidered on the collar! The film certainly plays down Emma Hamilton's "colourful" past, but it's not completely expunged from this version of events, and I did like the way the film highlighted the undeniable political influence which Emma wielded in Naples.
The script has its portentous moments but, by and large, it's nicely sparky and it made us laugh out loud in places. Witness Emma's parting short as Nelson departures following their first meeting:
"Next time there’s no need to blow off your canons. Just knock on the door."
And the seaman who brings news of the French Revolution to Nelson with the immortal line:
"There's been lots of shootin', lootin' and murderin'!"
Carlyle couldn't have put it better himself!
My two biggest squee moments came right at the beginning when I recognised the song being sung in the Paris street as Aupres de ma Blonde (which the lovely venusinfurs90 gave me a copy of last year) and when Lord Spencer First Lord of the Admiralty appeared. Is it indecent to get all fangirly over a First Lord of the Admiralty?! Also when the Lords Commissioners met with Nelson in the famous Board Room of the Admiralty I couldn't help wondering who was suppsoed to be Evan Nepean! Meanwhile partner amused himself by spotting continuity errors and inconsistencies in the ships' sails and rigging.
On the downside, I thought the film ended rather abruptly and I was disappointed that no effort was made to explain how Emma arrives at the destitute state she finds herself in at the beginning. The film also does a diservice to poor Lady Francis Hamilton who is portrayed as cold, distant and shrewish. It's a credit to actress Gladys Cooper* that she manages to bring some depth and dignity to the part. And of course, although the battle of Traflagar is portrayed in some detail, we predictably see neither hide nor hair of Collingwood.
Those quibbles aside its still a very fine film and definitely worth watching, preferably on a Sunday afternoon with a nice cup of tea!
* To my shame I also got horribly distracted by the fact that Gladys Cooper bears and uncanny resemblance to Peter Capaldi!
Gladys Cooper
Peter Capaldi
Leigh is almost as gorgeous as Emma herself and gets to wear some splendid frocks. I was especially fond of the gown she wore for the ball following Neslon's return from Aboukir, which had a bodice like a little middy's jacket with anchors embroidered on the collar! The film certainly plays down Emma Hamilton's "colourful" past, but it's not completely expunged from this version of events, and I did like the way the film highlighted the undeniable political influence which Emma wielded in Naples.
The script has its portentous moments but, by and large, it's nicely sparky and it made us laugh out loud in places. Witness Emma's parting short as Nelson departures following their first meeting:
"Next time there’s no need to blow off your canons. Just knock on the door."
And the seaman who brings news of the French Revolution to Nelson with the immortal line:
"There's been lots of shootin', lootin' and murderin'!"
Carlyle couldn't have put it better himself!
My two biggest squee moments came right at the beginning when I recognised the song being sung in the Paris street as Aupres de ma Blonde (which the lovely venusinfurs90 gave me a copy of last year) and when Lord Spencer First Lord of the Admiralty appeared. Is it indecent to get all fangirly over a First Lord of the Admiralty?! Also when the Lords Commissioners met with Nelson in the famous Board Room of the Admiralty I couldn't help wondering who was suppsoed to be Evan Nepean! Meanwhile partner amused himself by spotting continuity errors and inconsistencies in the ships' sails and rigging.
On the downside, I thought the film ended rather abruptly and I was disappointed that no effort was made to explain how Emma arrives at the destitute state she finds herself in at the beginning. The film also does a diservice to poor Lady Francis Hamilton who is portrayed as cold, distant and shrewish. It's a credit to actress Gladys Cooper* that she manages to bring some depth and dignity to the part. And of course, although the battle of Traflagar is portrayed in some detail, we predictably see neither hide nor hair of Collingwood.
Those quibbles aside its still a very fine film and definitely worth watching, preferably on a Sunday afternoon with a nice cup of tea!
* To my shame I also got horribly distracted by the fact that Gladys Cooper bears and uncanny resemblance to Peter Capaldi!
Gladys Cooper
Peter Capaldi