Saraband for Dead Lovers
1948 / UK / 96 min. / Colour
Director: Basil Dearden
Stewart Granger, Joan Greenwood, Flora RobsonFrançoise Rosay, Frederick Valk, Peter Bull, Anthony Quayle, Michael Gough, Megs Jenkins
Saraband was Ealing’s first major colour film and the UK’s first serious historical epic, breaking the mould of arch-rival Gainsborough’s frothy, swishy-frock romances. Granger is imperious and both Greenwood and Robson perform with brio. 70 years ago, audiences didn’t quite get it; today we can sit back and enjoy it both as great entertainment and as an important cinematic leap that has influenced an entire genre. No Saraband, no Emma Thomson.
Oh, and, by the way, a saraband is a slow, stately Spanish dance in triple time.