Themes: Mothers and Sons, Bohemian Life, Small-Town Life
Main Cast: Trevor Howard, Dean Stockwell, Wendy Hiller, Mary Ure, Heather Sears
Release Year: 1960
Country: UK
Run Time: 103 minutes
Plot
The Motion Picture Production Code was still in effect (albeit weakly) when Sons and Lovers was filmed in 1960, so don't expect a thoroughly frank and faithful adaptation of the D.H. Lawrence novel. Set in an English mining town, the film focuses on Paul Morel (Dean Stockwell), the sensitive son of a roughhewn, alcoholic miner (Trevor Howard) and his gentle, repressed wife (Wendy Hiller). Intent on becoming an artist, Paul is not above depending upon the financial kindnesses of the young women of the town. Many of the girls carry a torch for him, but his strong bonds to his mother leave him emotionally sapped. Freddie Francis's evocative, grimy industrial-town cinematography won him an Academy Award. Despite censorial restrictions, this admirably captures the essence of the dour Lawrence original. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Hailed with excellent reviews upon its release, Sons and Lovers has lost much of its power and freshness over the years. While still a good -- at times very good -- film, it is not as startling as it was in 1960, when even the Code-approved version raised eyebrows. The film is a respectful adaptation of the D.H. Lawrence novel, but it somtimes feels too respectful; there's an air of "this is important literature" about it, which dampens its effectiveness. Jack Cardiff's direction is uneven, but for the most part effective; he's especially good with the moments of erotic attraction and in framing the telling character details that provide a richness to much of the work. He gets sensational work from almost the entire cast, with Trevor Howard standing out for his superlative, bold but finely nuanced performance. Wendy Hiller is close behind him, etching a portrait of a complex woman filled with both love and fear, and Dean Stockwell conveys the sensitivity essential to the role. The production as a whole has a beautiful look to it, with detailed art direction and stunning cinematography. If Sons as a movie is not the classic that it is as a book, it is still a moving and worthwhile experience. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
William Lucas - William Morel; Conrad Phillips - Baxter Dawes; Donald Pleasence - Pappleworth; Ernst Thesiger - Henry Hadlock; Rosalie Crutchley - Mrs. Leivers; Ruth Dunning - Mrs. Leivers; Elizabeth Begley - Mrs. Radford; Edna Morris - Mrs. Anthony; Ruth Kettlewell - Mrs. Bonner; Sean Barrett - Arthur; Philip Ray - Dr. Ansell; Susan Travers - Betty; Dorothy Gordon - Fanny; Sheila Bernette - Polly; Vilma Ann Leslie - Collie
Credit
Lionel Couch - Art Director, Margaret Furse - Costume Designer, Jack Cardiff - Director, Gordon Pilkington - Editor, Mario Nascimbene - Composer (Music Score), Thomas H. Morahan - Production Designer, Freddie Francis - Cinematographer, Jerry Wald - Producer, Peter Handford - Sound/Sound Designer, T.E.B. Clarke - Screenwriter, Gavin Lambert - Screenwriter, D.H. Lawrence - Book Author
