Rembrandt is a 1936 British biographical film made by London Film Productions of the life of 17th-century Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn. The film was produced and directed by Alexander Korda from a screenplay by June Head and Lajos Bíró based on a story by Carl Zuckmayer. The music score was by Geoffrey Toye and the cinematography by Georges Périnal.
Rembrandt | |
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DVD Cover | |
Directed by | Alexander Korda |
Produced by | Alexander Korda |
Written by | June Head Lajos Bíró Arthur Wimperis |
Based on | story by Carl Zuckmayer |
Starring | Charles Laughton Gertrude Lawrence Elsa Lanchester Edward Chapman |
Music by | Geoffrey Toye |
Cinematography | Georges Périnal |
Edited by | Francis D. Lyon William Hornbeck (sup) |
Production company | London Film Productions |
Distributed by | London Film Productions (US) United Artists (UK) |
Release date | 6 November 1936 (UK) 25 December 1936 (US) |
Running time | 85 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Screenplay
- Charles Laughton as Rembrandt van Rijn
- Gertrude Lawrence as Geertje Dircx
- Elsa Lanchester as Hendrickje Stoffels
- Edward Chapman as Carel Fabritius
- Walter Hudd as Frans Banning Cocq
- Roger Livesey as Beggar Saul
- John Bryning as Titus van Rijn
- Sam Livesey as Auctioneer
- Herbert Lomas as Gerrit van Rijn
- Allan Jeayes as Dr. Tulp
- John Clements as Govaert Flinck
- Raymond Huntley as Ludwick
- Abraham Sofaer as Dr. Menasseh
- Laurence Hanray as Heertsbeeke
- Austin Trevor as Marquis de Grand-Coeur
- Edmund Willard as Van Zeeland
- Leonard Sharp as Burgher at Auction
Alexander Korda had previously worked with Laughton on the critically successful The Private Life of Henry VIII. Laughton's wife, Elsa Lanchester, has a role in the film as Hendrickje, Rembrandt's maid who also became his lover.
The New York Times wrote, "Charles Laughton and Alexander Korda have produced a great, and rich, and glowing motion picture in "Rembrandt," which opened yesterday at the Rivoli, a picture signed all over with distinction, like one of the master's own canvases"; while more recently, Time Out wrote that the film was "Less successful at the time than the earlier Private Life of Henry VIII, but a far better film, thanks to a subtle, touching performance from Laughton as the ageing painter...Surprisingly sombre, it lacks a tight plot, but appeals through its vivid characterisation, superb Vincent Korda sets, and Georges Périnal's lovely camerawork."