THE DEEP BLUE SEA (1955)

Having recently watched Terence Davies’ exquisite adaptation of this Terence Rattigan play I was intrigued to compare it against this 1955 version, which stars Vivien Leigh and Kenneth More as Hester and Freddie.

Given that it was adapted by Rattigan himself I imagine it’s closer to the play than the more recent version.

The main difference which I spotted was a bigger role played by a couple of  neighbours, especially Mr Miller who is the one who, though not a doctor as such, treats Hester after the suicide attempt that kicks things off.

He seems to have an uncanny knack of understanding human nature, and it is he who in this version prevents Hester from attempting a second suicide attempt at the end of the film, and manages to persuade her to give up Freddie for good.

I must preface my comments on this version with the acknowledgment that the print I watched on TV was of poor quality in terms of the crispness (or lack of it) in the cinematography.

Despite some efforts to open up the play with for example a scene on some ski slopes this version comes across as stagey and not at all cinematic, with the lack of closeups a distinct problem. Judging by this film and the following year’s ’Anastasia’ director Anatole Litvak, at this later stage in his career at least, was not bringing much to the party.

Turning to the actors, there is zero sexual chemistry between Leigh and More, so not for one moment did I believe that Hester would sacrifice her marriage so as to live in comparative poverty with Freddie.

Everyone gives competent performances although I don't know what to make of Leigh's portrayal of Hester: most of the time she comes across as a stiff-upper-lip member of the upper classes, but this is punctuated by the occasional very convincing fit of uncontrollable sobbing.  

I couldn't help wondering what audiences of the time made of a play in which suicide plays such a prominent role and which suggests that carnal desire might outweigh the wish for a respectable and comfortable lifestyle.  It's not that surprising that this film wasn't a commercial hit.

Although it falls a long way short of the quality of the Davies adaptation there's enough quality in the play to make this a decent watch.