Stewart Granger (l) in mullet and magnificent sleeves. Image: FilmStruck
You know what they say: Go Big or Go Home.
The British film, Saraband for Dead Lovers (1948), is a perfect example – a costume drama about a Doomed Love Affair. But it’s also a film about Political Intrigue, Waging War, and trading favours for Personal Gain.
That’s a lot of business to conduct in a 96-minute film, and it could’ve easily become a cringing melodrama. However, filmmakers sidestep this Trap by creating a story set in the 17th century, and employing metres of fabric. The result is a gorgeous film with provocative characters.
It also stars Stewart Granger. Now, before we go any further, we must disclose our aversion to him.
Stewart G. was a British stage/film actor who gained popularity during WWII. In 1949, he signed a contract with MGM and worked in Hollywood for many years.
Stewart G. was certainly handsome, and he wasn’t an actor without emotional depth. Indeed, there are scenes in Saraband for Dead Lovers where he nearly breaks your heart … yet … these are also scenes in which Stewart G. is silent. It’s when he speaks that he Ruins the Mood; in our opinion, he delivers dialogue like he’s chewing out an inept employee.
Nonetheless, in this film he’s well cast as an amoral man who strives to Do Right by the love of his life (Joan Greenwood), a woman in a miserable marriage.
Peter Bull (centre), livin’ the life of a king. Image: Alamy
As mentioned, the story takes place in the late 1600s, in one of the independent states we now know as Germany. It follows the political career of George Louis (Peter Bull), who, through various political and legal wranglings, becomes George I of Great Britain in 1698.
He’s also an unfaithful husband to Greenwood, whom he detests. Theirs is more of a business contract than a marriage: She has Money and he has Power.
There’s a surprising focus on women in this film, given the plot features a future king, and much attention is paid to Double Standards. Coupled with voluminous 17th century fashions, we’re subtly reminded some things may not have changed very much over the ensuing centuries.
For example, look at the marriage between Bull and Greenwood. He has multiple affairs, but when she tells her mother-in-law (Françoise Rosay) that she wants A Little Fun, Rosay rebukes her. It’s Greenwood’s job to uphold the honour of their family, says Rosay, so Smarten Up.
Yet, later in the film, we see inside Rosay’s character, a woman forced by circumstances to become a hardened realist. “There is much happiness in this world,” she says. “The secret is to abandon hope of it.”
Perhaps the most cunning woman here is Flora Robson, a courtesan and power broker. She orchestrates deals on behalf of her, ahem, friends for a cut of the profits. But she, too, shows us what she’s Up Against: She’s in her 40s, and her beauty is draining away. Therefore, the transactions she makes now must be lucrative enough to fund her comfortable retirement.
Flora Robson makes a deal with Granger. Image: Watershed
According to Webster’s Dictionary, a saraband is “a stately court dance of the 17th and 18th centuries resembling the minuet”.
Saraband for Dead Lovers is based on the 1935 novel by Helen Simpson, which depicts the true (or not) romance between Philip Christoph von Königsmarck and Sophia Dorothea of Celle, the wife of the future George I.
The film itself won an Oscar for Best Art Direction – Set Decoration, Color. It was produced by Ealing Studios, who normally produced comedies, but this time they hoped to give rival Gainsborough Studios a Run for their Money. This was Ealing’s first film to be shot in colour, but, alas, it was not a commercial success.
The costumes were designed by Georges K. Benda and Anthony Mendleson. (Mendleson would be nominated for two more Oscars for costume design, in 1972 and 1976.) The Victoria and Albert Museum acquired some of these costumes for the Museum of the Moving Image in 2015.
Although Saraband for Dead Lovers isn’t well known, we think it’s a Must See. We hope you’ll have the chance to watch it – and if you ever experience it on the big screen, we’ll be Most Envious.
This post is part of THE COSTUME DRAMA BLOGATHON, hosted by Moon in Gemini.
Saraband for Dead Lovers: starring Stewart Granger, Joan Greenwood, Flora Robson. Directed by Basil Deardon. Written by John Dighton & Alexander Mackendrick. Ealing Studios, 1948, Technicolor, 96 mins.
Silver Screenings 
I like your title better, — it made me laugh! — but I will search out “Saraband for Dead Lovers.”
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Haha! The sleeves truly are magnificent.
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Nothing like full-blown leg o’ mutton sleeves. Let’s have them back!
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A person could hide a lot of things in some of those sleeves!
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It sounds as if this would be most enjoyable on the big screen. The more I see of older films in their original habitat, the more I realize what I am missing on the television screen.
Stewart Granger is not an easy actor to warm up to, yet there are some roles for which he is perfect, and others where I consider he deserves a pat on the back. We certainly must give him kudos for being the sort who doesn’t look like a fool in outdated fashions.
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That’s a good point. Stewart G. is definitely able to pull off the 17th-century “look”, and he certainly does not look like a fool.
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And fantastically big hair too!
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Haha! You said it!
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The costumes are incredible but that Stewart Granger guy looks like Dracula–I was almost expecting the plot to be about vampires especially give the title:-)
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Haha! You know, Stewart G. does kind of look like Dracula, especially around the hairline.
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I am a Stewart Granger fan (or, as he was born, James Stewart). I could also be content just listening to Joan Greenwood read the phone directory (what a voice!). So, I think I’d enjoy SARABAND FOR DEAD LOVERS.
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Joan Greenwood has a marvellous voice. She’s terrific in this film.
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Oh I love your post! I’m a fan of LIVING BIG! And LOVING BIG! ❤️
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Thanks for stopping by! And here’s to living big. Cheers! *clink*
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Nice review! I’ve never heard of this movie until now. I need to add it to my “must-watch-list.” 🙂
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Thanks! I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on this film. It’s a little-known gem, in my opinion.
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This may not be a very well known film, but I have seen it and recall liking it very much. Don’t have quite the aversion to Granger that you have, though he has never been a big favorite of mine. Thanks so much for contributing the Big Sleeves to the bloghaton!
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Thanks for organizing the blogathon! Will it become an annual event? (Hint hint)
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Dear Ruth,
This is a great article! Although this is a British film, it sounds like a good movie. I recognize the names of a couple of the cast members, and the costumes do look lovely. We should look into this film and perhaps breen it some time!
By the way, last year you contributed to the Claude Rains Blogathon with your great article about “The Invisible Man.” I really appreciated this article, and I wanted to let you know that it’s that time of year again!
This November 8-10, we at PEPS will be hosting the Second Annual Claude Rains Blogathon! The rules are the same as last year, and the concept is, as well. We want to honor this great classic actor on his 130th birthday, and we would love to have you join us again. You can see the announcement here: https://pureentertainmentpreservationsociety.wordpress.com/2019/10/18/round-up-the-usual-suspects-the-second-annual-claude-rains-blogathon-is-coming/.
I hope you will be able to join us and advertise the blogathon on your website with one of the banners!
Joyfully,
Rebekah Brannan
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Thanks for dropping by, Rebekah! Sadly, I’m joining two other blogathons around that time & won’t have time for a third. But please let me know when your next one is. 🙂
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Dear Ruth,
I’m very sorry you won’t be able to join our blogathon, but I understand completely. There’s always the Third Annual Claude Rains Blogathon to anticipate!
Thank you for your time! I’ll be sure to let you know about our next blogathon!
Joyfully,
Rebekah Brannan
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