Under Capricorn (1949)
1h 58m | PG-13
A British ex-convict in colonial Australia and his fragile wife, haunted by the past crime that binds them, struggle to rebuild their lives when a young newcomer stirs long-buried passions and secrets.
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Studio: Transatlantic Pictures
Genre: Drama, History
Video: 720p
Cast
Ingrid Bergman
as Lady Henrietta Flusky
Joseph Cotten
as Sam Flusky
Michael Wilding
as Charles Adare
Margaret Leighton
as Milly
Cecil Parker
as The Governor
Denis O'Dea
as Mr. Corrigan
Reviews
There are two ways to look at this rather procedural Victorial melodrama: either it's Hitchcock very much off form from his usual perfection; or it's Hitchcock demonstrating that he has other strings to his bow than his much lauded suspense thrillers. I prefer the latter! Michael Wilding arrives in New South Wales looking for his fortune. He alights on "Mr. Flusky" (Joseph Cotton) as a likely business partner, and at a dinner discovers that he has history with his wife, the alcoholic "Lady Henrietta" (Ingrid Bergman). The story tries to reconcile their respective back stories with their current scenarios and the three - alongside a solid performance from Cecil Parker as the Governor - create a decent enough melodrama that isn't half bad, even if I found Bergman - her usual emotional and over-performing self - a bit pathetic after a while.