Esther Waters [Sin of Esther Waters] *** (1947, Kathleen Ryan, Dirk Bogarde, Cyril Cusack, Ivor Barnard, Fay Compton, Mary Clare) – Classic Movie Review 6858

Producer-directors Ian Dalrymple and Peter Proud’s 1947 melodrama takes us back to the bad old days of the 19th century when sweet young kitchen maids like Esther Waters (Kathleen Ryan) could be used and abused by arrogant grooms like William Latch (Dirk Bogarde) in English country houses.

[Spoiler alert] In his first starring role, Bogarde relishes playing the sweet-talking low-class rogue with a penchant for women and riches, who seduces and makes pregnant young lady lay preacher Esther (Ryan) in this florid drama, set in the 1870s and 1880s. Esther then suffers the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune, as Latch takes off with his employer’s daughter and Esther is left alone to bring up the child, on the way to a chance at true happiness.

The George Moore novel on which it is based is sub-Thomas Hardy material and the film scarcely improves on the quality of it. However, Ryan captivates as the wronged woman who brings up baby alone, and her performance, along with Bogarde’s lusty star turn, and the often thrilling horse-racing scenes, are the best reasons for viewing it.

Watching poor Ryan suffer so extravagantly makes for enjoyable old-style entertainment, especially when you suspect that there is going to be a happy ending.

Dirk Bogarde in his first starring role in Esther Waters.

Also in the cast are Cyril Cusack, Ivor Barnard, Fay Compton, Mary Clare, Julian D’Albie, Morland Graham, Margaret Diamond, George Hayes, Shelagh Fraser, Pauline Jameson, Margaret Withers, Nuna Davey, Beryl Measor, Barbara Shaw and Alex Parker. Dirk’s younger brother Gareth Van Den Bogaerde plays Esther’s teenage son in his only film.

Esther Waters [aka Sin of Esther Waters] is directed by Ian Dalrymple and Peter Proud, runs 109 minutes, is produced by Wessex Film Productions and Independent Producers, is distributed by General Film Distributors, is written by Michael Gordon (screen adaptation), William Rose (screen adaptation) and Gerard Tyrell (additional dialogue), based on the George Moore novel, is shot in black and white by C M Pennington-Richards and H E Fowle, is produced by Ian Dalrymple and Peter Proud, and is scored by Gordon Jacob, with Art Direction by Frederick Pusey and costumes designed by Alix Stone.

It was filmed at Folkington Manor, East Sussex, England; Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire; and Denham Studios, Buckinghamshire.

After uncredited appearances in Come on George! (1939) and Dancing with Crime (1947), it is Bogarde’s first credited film role.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6858

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