![]() They left England in 1809 and did not return for two years. Inspiration came from his travels throughout southern Europe with his friend John Cam Hobhouse. The work was originally titled Childe Burun’s Pilgrimage when Byron completed the first two cantos in 1811 Burun was an archaic spelling of Byron. Childe was the medieval title for a young squire about to take his vows of knighthood. The poem contains many autobiographical elements, and is perhaps the most perfect encapsulation of the ‘Romantic’ ethos. Fortunately, Byron was preternaturally self-aware and he greeted his newfound celebrity with amusement. ![]() As the movie came out during WWII, it seems to have a direct parallel to the evil leaders loose in the world, particularly in the film's final scene.Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage was the poem whose publication caused Byron to remark, “I awoke one morning and found myself famous.” Published in 1812, it did indeed bring him fame and literary renown. The second half, including the increasing revelation of Uncle Charlie's dark views of humanity and the lengths to which he will go to protect himself, is what make the film so sinister. On the other hand, there is a real small town feeling to this setting, helped in no doubt by Thornton Wilder being one of the screenwriters, and the characters of Charlie's father (Henry Travers) and his friend (Hume Cronyn) passing the time by talking about the perfect murder are absolutely priceless. Some of the tension is also missing because we're pretty darn sure Uncle Charlie is guilty. I considered a slightly higher rating, but thought the pace in the first half of the movie was a little slow. ![]() Trouble is just behind him though, and it gets worse when his niece (also 'Charlie', named after him, and played by Teresa Wright) begins to suspect him of being the "Merry Widow Murderer". Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten) is on the run from the law on the East Coast, and he settles in with his sister and her family in Santa Rosa. Hitchcock said this was his favorite film, and there is a quiet evil about it that makes it truly horrifying. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |