Kirk Douglas and Kim Novak in Strangers When We Meet (1960). Image: IMDb
“Adulterous passion…often had dark consequences. The adultery film is, in this way, a horror film.”
So writes film historian Anthony Balducci in the introduction to his newly-published book, Unfaithful: The History of the Adultery Film (Slingshot Books, 2023).
Filmmakers have made a great many movies about human failings and misery, and, in doing so, they’ve bequeathed us an immense archive when it comes to adultery.
These are the films with which Balducci concerns himself in this volume, films from both Hollywood and Europe. He examines current releases, Pre-Codes, and adultery films from the Silent era, of which, we were surprised to learn, there are many.
Balducci’s writing is skilled and insightful. He’s not a fan of cheating spouses – who is? – but he strives to understand why filmmakers choose the scripts they do, especially when it comes to what he calls the “sensitive adultery film”.
“In the sensitive adultery film, the protagonist sees it as their duty to struggle with the moral issues raised by an extramarital affair,” he writes. “They care deeply that no one is hurt by their actions. In this genre of the adultery story, the dramatist is able to deeply explore human frailties and fallibility.”
Balducci approaches these films with a mix of curiosity and tongue-in-cheek cynicism. He also employs an almost scientific interest when cataloguing them.
“What type of person cheats on their spouse?” he asks. “Why do they do it? How does this dire violation of the marriage pact come about? Should we be terrified that the ground in a marriage may open up and swallow us whole?”
Yet, this painstaking research has created an unexpected resource of another kind.
He has, in effect, created a How-To guide for writing movies about unfaithful spouses.
George O’Brien with temptress Margaret Livingston in Sunrise (1927). Image: Pinterest
Balducci is a true cinephile. In quoting bits of dialogue from various movies, he helps us see merit in the writing of a film that, at first, may appear uninteresting.
And even if the writing is not so stellar, he helps us see how directors and actors elevate a dull script. Even though two scripts are similar in motive and outcome, filmmakers can make them seem like two completely different films.
His masterstroke is, we think, the way he categorizes adultery films, and this is where aspiring screenwriters should take note.
Some film categories concentrate on personal crises (an abusive spouse or a midlife crisis), while others deal with affairs arising from circumstances (war or illness). Then there are those dalliances that end in tragedy (violent revenge and/or murder).
But let us not forget one of the oldest plot twists Known to Man: The appearance of an old flame.
Balducci offers excellent script-writing advice. “A filmmaker has to be careful with an adultery story,” he writes. “He can, if he fears losing sympathy for his lovers, keep the wronged spouse in the shadows so that the viewers are unable to witness their suffering. But adultery does cause a great deal of suffering, which is front and center in films like Millie [1931].”
Diane Lane in Unfaithful (2002). Image: IMDb
As we’ve discovered, filmmakers have examined adultery from many different angles for more than a century.
To collect these titles in a single volume is a massive undertaking, but you never get the impression Balducci becomes bored with the subject, even after a whopping 556 pages, plus index and notes.
He manages to keep a sense of humour while documenting all this Woe. When describing Jean Harlow’s character in Red-Headed Woman (1932), for instance, he wryly observes, “Harlow, outfitted in standard secretary garb, is a stealth predator.”
He also discusses the Hollywood concepts of the Vamp, who lures men away from their wives, and the Cad, who is chiefly concerned with women’s money. Of the two, says Balducci, the Cad comes to the worse end.
Cataloguing adultery films could make a person rather jaded about marriage, but Balducci praises couples who Go the Distance in committed, long-term relationships.
Unfaithful: The History of the Adultery Film is a good resource for film lovers and writers. This comprehensive volume is the Go-To reference if you are researching – or writing – movies about unfaithful spouses.
Notes
Disclosure: Author Anthony Balducci sent us a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Click HERE to purchase your copy of Unfaithful: The History of the Adultery Film, by Anthony Balducci.
Hey there. Have you seen the movie “Election”? Cheating spouses figure in to the wild plot. My wife and I watched it for the first time last night. A delightful movie.
The most mature “Unfaithful Spouses” film I’ve ever seen is BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1045) starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard who, not coincidentally, are pictured at the top of your post. I’ve seen it at least 4 or 5 times and never tire of watching it.
Yes, I’ve seen it, too, and I chose it for that reason. Was able to see it on the big screen a few years ago, and the cinematography is gorgeous. Very mature, as you said.
I’m also a fan of Brief Encounter, and would like to see it again as it’s been a while. I like how Balducci says “Adulterous passion… often had dark consequences. The adultery film is, in this way, a horror film.” That’s a good angle to come from.
In the recent film Don’t Look Up, I enjoyed how they treated all three characters involved in the affair scenes: the straying scientist, his family-minded wife, and the exciting and glamorous TV presenter who comes between them.
Sounds like a great reference work for film lovers. A fascinating examination of this key movie trait, especially prevalent in films like Brief Encounter ect.
In these times of #metoo I still havent’ seen what I really would love to: a female version of Guide for the Married Man with Walter Matthau. That movie is a brilliant lesson for anyone who wants to write a movie both funny and tender making the very best of a quite simple and seminal idea (and for anyone who is actually having a thought about cheating…).
I’ve not seen this film, so I looked it up on Wikipedia & was surprised to see the famously-grumpy Bosley Crowther liked it very much. I’ll give it a go, if I ever come across it.
Fascinating subject. I myself have been shocked by just how many old Hollywood movies deal with extramarital affairs. I always thought that was too taboo.
How funny. I recently wrote a post about the cheating spouse film, focused on The Prowler. I am very interested in this book! So many fascinating movies about the topic. I think if you’re mainly a character person when it comes to film, it’s a good topic, as it exposes so much about a person’s motivations and insecurities. I liked Brief Encounter too, though I find him a cad and her heartbreaking, so it’s definitely not (as others do) a relationship I root for.
Ha! I know what you mean re: Brief Encounter. Plus, Celia Johnson’s husband seems like a really good person.
I liked what you said about revealing a person’s character, motivations, etc. in this type of film. So true! You can’t not explore the depths of a character in this situation, it seems to me.
Ruth, you really must check out the remake of Brief Encounter with Richard Burton and Sophia Loren.. it’s not that bad for a remake thanks to those stellar leads
Silver Screenings 
Hey there. Have you seen the movie “Election”? Cheating spouses figure in to the wild plot. My wife and I watched it for the first time last night. A delightful movie.
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Haven’t seen “Election” – haven’t heard of it, to be honest. Thanks for recommending!
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The most mature “Unfaithful Spouses” film I’ve ever seen is BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1045) starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard who, not coincidentally, are pictured at the top of your post. I’ve seen it at least 4 or 5 times and never tire of watching it.
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Yes, I’ve seen it, too, and I chose it for that reason. Was able to see it on the big screen a few years ago, and the cinematography is gorgeous. Very mature, as you said.
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I’m also a fan of Brief Encounter, and would like to see it again as it’s been a while. I like how Balducci says “Adulterous passion… often had dark consequences. The adultery film is, in this way, a horror film.” That’s a good angle to come from.
In the recent film Don’t Look Up, I enjoyed how they treated all three characters involved in the affair scenes: the straying scientist, his family-minded wife, and the exciting and glamorous TV presenter who comes between them.
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You’re right – the adultery film as horror film is something I wouldn’t have thought of…well, except for films like Basic Instinct, haha.
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Sounds like a great reference work for film lovers. A fascinating examination of this key movie trait, especially prevalent in films like Brief Encounter ect.
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It’s an excellent reference, as you said. Thoroughly researched and well written, too.
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Brief Encounter was always my mother’s favourite film—nice to see it getting so many mentions!
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A haunting film, to be sure. I was lucky enough to see it on the big screen a few years ago, and it is beautiful.
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In these times of #metoo I still havent’ seen what I really would love to: a female version of Guide for the Married Man with Walter Matthau. That movie is a brilliant lesson for anyone who wants to write a movie both funny and tender making the very best of a quite simple and seminal idea (and for anyone who is actually having a thought about cheating…).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve not seen this film, so I looked it up on Wikipedia & was surprised to see the famously-grumpy Bosley Crowther liked it very much. I’ll give it a go, if I ever come across it.
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What a unique premise. This sounds fascinating. Thanks for sharing!
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This is a must-read for scriptwriters & movie lovers. It’s so well researched!
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How nice to have a good book that is helpful to film lover and writers.
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You said it! It’s really well done.
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Fascinating subject. I myself have been shocked by just how many old Hollywood movies deal with extramarital affairs. I always thought that was too taboo.
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The Production Code allowed for extramarital affairs as long as there were consequences. Filmmakers were not to glorify the situation
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How funny. I recently wrote a post about the cheating spouse film, focused on The Prowler. I am very interested in this book! So many fascinating movies about the topic. I think if you’re mainly a character person when it comes to film, it’s a good topic, as it exposes so much about a person’s motivations and insecurities. I liked Brief Encounter too, though I find him a cad and her heartbreaking, so it’s definitely not (as others do) a relationship I root for.
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Ha! I know what you mean re: Brief Encounter. Plus, Celia Johnson’s husband seems like a really good person.
I liked what you said about revealing a person’s character, motivations, etc. in this type of film. So true! You can’t not explore the depths of a character in this situation, it seems to me.
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What an interesting idea for a book! I need to put my thinking cap on . . .
— Karen
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It is a good idea for a book, and I was surprised by the sheer number of films catalogued here. The author has done a magnificent job.
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Yes, I’ve had an editor warn me against the adultery trope. I was a misunderstanding of a paragraph but in any case, I was well warned.
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That is interesting your editor warned you away from that.
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Ruth, you really must check out the remake of Brief Encounter with Richard Burton and Sophia Loren.. it’s not that bad for a remake thanks to those stellar leads
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I’ve not heard of it. I bet it’s really good. Thanks!
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Burton is quite lovely in it and they have a sweet chemistry.
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Burton is always fabulous, isn’t he?
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Always, especially when he does a monologue about someone he hates.. see The Medusa Touch!!
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