Love Is a Many Splendored Thing DVD with William Holden, Jennifer Jones, Torin Thatcher (NR) +Movie Reviews

Still-glorious Hollywood romance

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 10/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"LOVE IS A MANY-SPLENDORED THING remains to this day one of Hollywood's most beloved and heartbreaking love stories. Set in the turbulent days of Hong Kong during the Korean War, the story concerns war correspondant Mark Elliott (William Holden) who falls in love with widowed Eurasian doctor Han Suyin (Jennifer Jones) who, while coming from completely different walks of life, fall in love. Based on the real-life Han Suyin's bestselling novel of the same name, the film candidly deals with themes of prejudice and the dangerous political climate of the time. Beautifully-filmed on location in Hong Kong.

The casting is impeccable: Jennifer Jones is luminous as Suyin (even more glorious in Technicolor) and William Holden adds a great edge to his performance. Isobel Elsom plays Mrs Palmer-Jones, the racist wife of the head of the hospital (her scenes with Jones still ring true).

For a romance with a similar theme I recommend THE WORLD OF SUZIE WONG with William Holden and Nancy Kwan."

Get a bucket to cry into!

A* | New York, N.Y. United States | 06/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"when I first brought this film and started watching it I thought it was good not great. But the ending, the tragic ending and the swelling of the soundtrack made me cry and hit the replay button on my dvd player. The movie began to take shape for me once I realized the steps these two have taken to fall in love. The dialogue flows like modern Shakepeare and is wonderful to hear. Jones is at her best and it shows her subtle voice; it is neither weak nor nagging but this film belongs to love and to have it you need another person and at a key scene at a party we are introduced to Holden! Wow, this man was a master of presence and had such a natural flow to his acting. The intimate scenes of them on the way back from visiting one of Jones' friends are simply haunting. Under the moonlight and in a canoe Holden tells Jones "I will never do anything to hurt you" the tone and the expressions on both their faces are amazing. I love this flick and the setting is breathtaking. Just have a bucket and a towel to ring your tears into after the movie is over."

A CAPTIVATINGLY BEAUTIFUL THOUGH TRAGIC LOVE STORY!!!

A* | 06/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jennifer Jones and William Holden are perfectly cast as star-crossed lovers, in this film. The story is poignant and beautifully done. Jennifer Jones portrays her character, Dr. Han Suyin with depth and feeling. She is believable! William Holden, as Mark Elliot, war-correspondent, is charming and determined to win her love. And yet, he respects her wishes and her ancient heritage and culture. The scenery throughout the film is breath-taking.The title song, played throughout the picture only enhances the scenic beauty. My favorite parts are, of course their first meeting at the Palmer-Jones cocktail party, their outing that begins on the beach and their brief but romantic meetings on the hill over-looking Hong Kong. The ending, though most tragic, is beautifully done! A must see movie!!!!!"

Love is a Many Splendored Thing

Donald M. Cook | Stowe, Pa USA | 10/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At age 71 - I have looked back over my lifetime and have memories of movies that really touched me. This was one of those - - so I have purchased this memory and have enjoyed it once again. I am glad I bought it - because I can now watch it over and over - which I will do. At this age I now realize that there are things that give meaning to your life, and how you live it, and so I am now going back and trying to recapture those small tokens to keep and cherish. This is not much of a review as a return to my youth. Sorry."

Romantic, historic and a most wonderful movie

clare hynes-pope | Bronx, NY | 03/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first saw LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING I was about 16, and, yes, I saw it from a completely romantic perspective. The next time I saw the movie, I was able to see it from a socio-economic perspective. Henry King did a superb job in combining all the aspects of romance, racial unrest, political and social power, and socio-economic conditions out in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong during the late 1940's. Suyin fell in love with Mark Elliot, but she had difficulty in coming to terms of becoming European, and at the same time, the Palmer-Jonses had tremendous power in the colony. Adeline Palmer-Jones as the wife of the director of the hospital was always there to let Dr. Hom know in subtle ways that she did not fit in. The scene where the director orders Dr. Hom to attend to his wife before she dares to go onto the wards well illustrated the socio-economic problems in Hong Kong. The British society people ruled Hong Kong, and the poor or ailing Chinese were treated as second class citizens, including Dr. Hom. Another powerful scene was when the Chinese doctor gave Dr. Hom the news that her residency would not be renewed. Dr. Hom replied that she could go into private practice, and her friend informed her that to be realistic, it would not be possible because the British people would only seek medical assistance from their own kind. It was interesting her girlhood friend did what she had to do in order to fit into Hong Kong society, and as another Eurasian, she passed herself off as English.I recently watched this movie again for about the fourth time, and it has been about some 45 years since I saw it for the first time. I am no longer a young person, but I could still appreciate the handsome and romantic William Holden as Mark Elliot. He was divine.Yes, it was a wonderful love story, and a brief lesson in history, which could serve as a springboard to do further research into the life out in Hong Kong during the 20th century."

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