Dark Victory

Dark Victory

20/4/1939 1h 44m 7.0/10

Overview

Socialite Judith Traherne lives a lavish but emotionally empty life. Riding horses is one of her few joys, and her stable master is secretly in love with her. Told she has a brain tumor by her doctor, Frederick Steele, Judith becomes distraught. After she decides to have surgery to remove the tumor, Judith realizes she is in love with Dr. Steele, but more troubling medical news may sabotage her new relationship, and her second chance at life.

Director

Edmund Goulding

Top Billed Cast

Bette Davis

Bette Davis

Judith Traherne

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart

Michael O'Leary

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan

Alec

Geraldine Fitzgerald

Geraldine Fitzgerald

Ann King

George Brent

George Brent

Dr. Frederick Steele

Henry Travers

Henry Travers

Dr. Parsons

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

3/22/2024

7/10

Bette Davis always did know how to play the spoilt little rich girl character well, and my but she does it with aplomb here. She is "Judy", a young woman full of a privileged joie-de-vivre who starts to suffer from headaches and dizzy spells. Her family doctor recommends the specialist "Dr. Steele" (George Brent) who tells her that she has a brain tumour. An operation ensues, she is ostensibly cured and gradually she and "Steele" fall in love. The thing is, though, that her best friend "Ann" (Geraldine Fitzgerald) and her beau know that her prognosis isn't actually that hot - news that rocks the woman to the core when she finds out. A memorable scene around a dinner table demonstrates that skilfully and forcefully! It's hardly a surprise that "Judy" now goes off the rails a bit - plenty of booze and gentlemen friends to distract her from the inevitable, but maybe her friends can rally around and remind her that there might be a better way to live what's left of her life? This is a characterful drama loaded with emotion and chemistry between an on-form Davis and the understated but effective Brent. The writing provides for some strong dialogue and Edmund Goulding creates a working template for both actors to own the film from start to finish. It's not often you can say that Humphrey Bogart made little impact on a film, but here he is very much the oil to their wheels - and his enamoured "Michael" character is played well too. Max Steiner is at his most dramatic with the score and all-in-all this is a compellingly put together story well worth a watch.

Similar Movies

Planet of the Apes

7.6

Planet of the Apes

1968

Marie Antoinette

6.7

Marie Antoinette

2006

Zorba the Greek

7.5

Zorba the Greek

1964

The Crucible of Life

0.0

The Crucible of Life

1918

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

7.5

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

2007

A Man for All Seasons

7.3

A Man for All Seasons

1966

My Summer of Love

6.2

My Summer of Love

2005

The Women's Room

4.3

The Women's Room

1980

Trenck, der Pandur

5.2

Trenck, der Pandur

1940

National Theatre Live: Jack Absolute Flies Again

5.0

National Theatre Live: Jack Absolute Flies Again

2022

Chief of the Souls Sector

7.0

Chief of the Souls Sector

1967