THE WICKED LADY

This is one of the most successful British films ever, based on audience numbers ,and whilst it’s no classic I can readily see its appeal. 

It’s a ripping yarn, set in the late seventeenth century, which is well directed and acted, and which must have been a tonic to audiences when it was released a few months after the end of World War II.

I wonder what young British women who went to see it, many of whom had had their first experience of independence and responsibility during the war years, made of the titular character.

Were they taken with her free spirit, with her refusal to accept what society expects from her, and with her pursuit of love wherever it takes her and whoever it hurts?

Or were they repelled by her selfishness and irresponsibility, which does degenerate into true wickedness well before the end?

She, Barbara, reveals her true nature from the outset, when she steals her supposed best friend’s fiancé, Sir Ralph, simply because of his wealth and social standing, not because she loves him.

Her friend, Caroline (well played by Patricia Roc) then has to suffer the humiliation of being maid of honour at the wedding which should have been hers. 

Barbara and Caroline represent two versions of femininity, one pursuing her desires no matter the consequences for her or anyone else, the other pliant and passive.  It is one of the strengths of the film that we care as much about Caroline's fate as we do Barbara's.

It isn't long before Lady Barbara tires of Sir Ralph (they are soon sleeping in separate bedrooms) and she starts pursuing a double life, lady of the manor by day, highwayman by night.  In the latter role she joins forces with Captain Jerry Jackson, played by James Mason, and they soon embark on a torrid love affair.  Typically she refuses to be the junior partner in their criminal relationship, and she expects him to be faithful to her.  

Unsurprisingly, given her recklessness, Barbara's life starts to spiral out of control, leading her to poison to death an aged servant who has found her out, and then betraying Captain Jackson to the authorities when she finds him in bed with a 'doxy'.

Whilst all these shenanigans are going on Caroline thinks she has found love with handsome architect Kit, (played by Michael Rennie, in a splendid flowing wig). Unfortunately she doesn't realise that Barbara and Kit fell madly in love with each other on Barbara's wedding day, so that once the two meet again Caroline is once more in danger of being cast aside.

It all builds to a suitably melodramatic ending, in which Barbara (in her disguise as a highwayman) kills Jackson (who has miraculously survived a hanging), tries to kill Sir Ralph but is fatally wounded by Kit.

When Barbara, on her deathbed, confesses to Kit all of her wrongdoing, he is repelled.  He retreating from her as she crawls after him is a memorably chilling and bleak moment, almost the last of the film.

Thankfully though there is a happy ending in that Sir Ralph and Caroline, who are made for each other, can now marry.