Of Human Bondage (1964 film)
| Of Human Bondage | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by |
Ken Hughes Henry Hathaway Uncredited: Bryan Forbes |
| Produced by | James Woolf |
| Written by | Bryan Forbes |
| Based on |
Of Human Bondage 1915 novel by W. Somerset Maugham |
| Starring |
Kim Novak Laurence Harvey |
| Music by | Ron Goodwin |
| Cinematography |
Oswald Morris Denys Coop |
| Edited by | Russell Lloyd |
|
Production
company |
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| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
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Release date
|
23 September 1964 |
|
Running time
|
100 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1,750,000 (US/ Canada) |
Of Human Bondage is a 1964 British drama film directed by Ken Hughes. The MGM release, the third screen adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's 1915 novel, was written by Bryan Forbes.
After two unsuccessful years pursuing an art career in Paris, clubfooted Philip Carey decides to study medicine. He meets and falls in love with Mildred Rogers, a low-class waitress who takes advantage of his feelings for her.
When she leaves him to marry another man, Philip falls in love with Nora Nesbitt, a writer who encourages him to complete his studies. Mildred returns, pregnant and abandoned by her husband, and Philip takes her in and cares for her, ending his relationship with Nora.
While staying with Philip, Mildred has an affair with his best friend Griffiths, and when Philip confronts her, she tells Philip she's repulsed by him and walks out.
After earning his degree, Philip becomes an intern at a London Hospital. He learns Mildred is working as a prostitute and seeks her out at the brothel where she's living with her ailing child.
He takes the two under his wing, but once again Mildred leaves him. When he finally finds her in a clinic for the indigent, he discovers her child has died and Mildred, in the advanced stages of syphilis, dies in her spurned lover's arms.
Henry Hathaway began as director but bowed out shortly after production began. Screenwriter Bryan Forbes then briefly tackled the job of directing before the assignment fell to Ken Hughes.
The first screen adaptation of Maugham's novel, made thirty years prior, starred Leslie Howard and Bette Davis. Paul Henreid and Eleanor Parker co-starred in the 1946 remake.
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