Film Snail

6.8

Rembrandt

NR·1936·85m

Drama

History

Drama

History

Summary

A character study depicting the life of Rembrandt Van Rijn at the height of his fame in the mid 1600s. Beginning with the death of his wife, Rembrandt's work takes a dark turn, which offends many of his patrons.

Cast

Charles Laughton

Rembrandt van Rijn

Gertrude Lawrence

Geertje Dirx

Elsa Lanchester

Hendrickje Stoffels

Edward Chapman

Fabrizius

Walter Hudd

Capt. Banning Cocq

Roger Livesey

Beggar Saul

John Bryning

Titus van Rijn

Sam Livesey

Auctioneer

Herbert Lomas

Harmenzs van Rijn

Allan Jeayes

Dr. Tulp

John Clements

Govaert Flinck

Raymond Huntley

Ludwick

Abraham Sofaer

Dr. Menasseh

Laurence Hanray

Heertsbeeke

Austin Trevor

Marquis de Grand Coeur

Henry Hewitt

Jan Six

Gertrude Musgrove

Agelintje

Richard Gofe

Titus (child)

Basil Gill

Adrien van Rijn

Barry Livesey

Peasant Lad

James Carney

Peasant Lad

Jack Livesey

Journeyman

John Turnbull

Minister

Edmund Willard

Van Zeeland

Hector Abbas

Burgher at Auction (uncredited)

Evelyn Ankers

Party Girl (uncredited)

Baroness Barany

Criada (uncredited)

Lewis Broughton

Saskia’s Brother (uncredited)

Arthur Burne

Undetermined Secondary Rôle (uncredited)

Robin Burns

Tavern Patron (uncredited)

Frederick Burtwell

Saskia’s Brother (uncredited)

Robert Cochran

Undetermined Secondary Rôle (uncredited)

Rex Evans

Civil Guardsman (uncredited)

William Fagan

Burgomaster (uncredited)

Philip Godfrey

Undetermined Secondary Rôle (uncredited)

Marius Goring

Baron Leivens (uncredited)

Wilfrid Hyde-White

Civil Guardsman (uncredited)

Skelton Knaggs

Undetermined Secondary Rôle (uncredited)

Alexander Knox

Ludwick’s Assistant (uncredited)

Peta Mannering

Undetermined Secondary Rôle (uncredited)

Joan Matheson

Undetermined Secondary Rôle (uncredited)

Meinhart Maur

Ornia (uncredited)

Quinton McPherson

Official (uncredited)

George Merritt

Church Warden (uncredited)

Charles Paton

Burgher at Auction (uncredited)

Hay Petrie

Jeweller (uncredited)

Bellenden Powell

Court Member (uncredited)

George Pughe

Museum Director (uncredited)

Jerrold Robertshaw

Museum Director (uncredited)

Leonard Sharp

Burgher at Auction (uncredited)

Bill Shine

Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)

Laura Smithson

Undetermined Secondary Rôle (uncredited)

Byron Webber

Court Member (uncredited)

Roger Wellesley

Burgomaster’s Secretary (uncredited)

Pamela Wood

Undetermined Secondary Rôle (uncredited)

Crew

Director

Alexander Korda

Scenario Writer

June Head

Writer

Carl Zuckmayer

Writer

Lajos Biró

Reviews

Geronimo1967

June 19, 2022

There's something magical about the characterisations in this biopic of the legendary 17th century Dutch painter. Not just Charles Laughton in the title role, but Elsa Lanchester as Hendrickje Stoffels and Gertrude Lawrence as Geertje Dirx - the women in his life - all add to the charm and create an effortless depth of personality for this film. Alexander Korda clearly had a rapport with his stars, and a creative vision that enabled this story to flow without resorting to it just being a chronology of his artist achievements. Of course it's all, largely, speculation - but it is an engaging look at not just how he lived his life (quite irresponsibly) but of just how hand-to-mouth many artists of the time lived and yet now - as it states in the prologue "no millionaire could ever fund the acquisition of his works". Geoffrey Toye is to be commended for his gentle, sympathetic accompaniment to this charismatic depiction of artistic greatness - flaws and all, and although Laughton does revert a bit to type at the end (à la Henry VIII from 1933) it's still a super film to watch.