FuzzyTagz
If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
Ogosmith
Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
Bluebell Alcock
Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies
trvr_hffmn
I just saw this movie this morning at 4 am, and found it like many other oldies to be a goodie. A well told story, with complexity and sentiment woven together like a fine tapestry. Not a particular David Niven fan, but like Cary Grant, he possessed a kind of boyish sincerity and vulnerability that was probably a big part of his appeal.But...if you enjoyed this movie and seek something similar, and especially if you are a Niven fan, then look for "A Matter of Life and Death," AKA "Stairway to Heaven." This film is equal to "Enchantment," and that is a high compliment. Good luck in finding it, and enjoy.
Neil Doyle
The 1940s seemed to be the decade of the romantic "women's films" featuring stars like Bette Davis, Merle Oberon, Olivia de Havilland and others. And Samuel Goldwyn had the good taste to hire the best script writers, the best cinematographers, the best musicians, and the best available actors to play in all of his films.None was more romantic than ENCHANTMENT and it has a warm glow about it, despite being a tale of unrequited love whereby an elderly man (DAVID NIVEN in convincing age make-up) recalls his younger days and his sweetheart (TERESA WRIGHT) who leaves him because of a misunderstanding caused by his neurotic sister (JAYNE MEADOWS).When a young woman ambulance driver (EVELYN KEYES), who happens to be his niece, comes to stay in the grand old house during the London blitz of World War II, he advises her not to make the same mistake he did in following his true love. Result: a happy ending for Keyes and her pilot lover FARLEY GRANGER when she goes rushing after him during an air raid.The tale is told in a clever use of flashbacks from one generation to the other, and all of it is photographed in crisp B&W splendor by Gregg Toland with a quietly effective musical score by Hugo Friedhofer. It's a handsomely mounted production, tastefully done without overdoing the sentimentality of the tale. LEO G. CARROLL is excellent as Niven's servant, realistically aged for the part of the tale that takes place in the present.Highly recommended as a quality picture of its kind.It's also a sad reminder of the fact that after leaving Samuel Goldwyn under the contract system, TERESA WRIGHT's screen career floundered and she soon found that she had to work for lesser salaries in films not worthy of her presence. She became a free agent but admitted that it turned out to be a huge mistake.
che-29
'Enchantment' is a wonderful-odd-unknown film. Or maybe to me at least it is unknown. I am a fan of Rumer Godden novels.I have seen two other excellent films of them--'The River' and too 'Black Narcissus'. 'Enchantment' is like those also in the fact that it deals with awakenings or things which awaken us. It is about an unrequited love affair OR nearly. The sister and wicked head-of-the-family tries to keep David Niven and his step sister(by circumstance)from being together.Niven plays a soldier on- leave during WW2, most of it is told from his memory. He remembers when he is visited by the daughter of the Girl he could of had as his love--He warns her to not make the same mistake that he did. A great movie about Love!
Brigid O Sullivan (wisewebwoman)
and superb acting in this wartime story. Jayne Meadows as the cold, manipulative sister is terrific as is Gigi Perreau in a small but very effective role as a child. David Niven is a delight and more intense than he usually is. Great yarn, good acting, delightful music and highly atmospheric. Glad I caught it.
