{"id":10118,"date":"2009-12-15T14:30:04","date_gmt":"2009-12-15T21:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=10118"},"modified":"2020-12-22T22:47:08","modified_gmt":"2020-12-23T05:47:08","slug":"rembrandt-1936","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=10118","title":{"rendered":"Rembrandt (1936)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;What is success? A soldier can reckon his success in victories, a merchant in money. But my world is insubstantial. I live in a beautiful, blinding, swirling mist.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Poster-224x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-59173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Poster-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Poster-96x128.jpg 96w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Poster-202x270.jpg 202w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Poster.jpg 496w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nRembrandt van Rijn (Charles Laughton) deals with the death of his wife Saskia, suffers from bankruptcy, and falls in love with his housemaid (Elsa Lanchester).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Artists<\/li>\n<li>Biopics<\/li>\n<li>Charles Laughton Films<\/li>\n<li>Elsa Lanchester Films<\/li>\n<li>Historical Drama<\/li>\n<li>Roger Livesey Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nWhile Charles Laughton is perhaps best known for his Oscar-winning performance as Henry VIII (in Alexander Korda&#8217;s <em>The Private Life of Henry VIII<\/em>, 1933), many believe that his work in this little-seen historical biopic by Korda is even better. Refreshingly, at just 81 minutes long, the episodic <em>Rembrandt<\/em> doesn&#8217;t try to relate every detail of the famed artist&#8217;s life: instead, it starts with the death of Rembrandt&#8217;s (unseen) wife Saskia, then moves on to chronicle Rembrandt&#8217;s financial struggles, his relationship with his sharp-tongued housekeeper (Gertrude Lawrence), and his scandalized but loving affair with a housemaid (Lanchester). Korda&#8217;s decision not to show Rembrandt&#8217;s paintings (with the strategic exception of &#8220;The Night Watch&#8221; &#8212; an essential early plot element) is a wise one; instead, the film&#8217;s impressive attention to visual detail (sets, costumes, and props are all stunning) allows us to feel genuinely immersed in Rembrandt&#8217;s work-a-day world of 17th century Holland. It&#8217;s Laughton&#8217;s central performance that really carries the film, however: even when simply reading scripture passages, the world around him literally stands still, and we along with it. While I&#8217;m not normally a fan of Hollywood biopics (they tend to take themselves far too seriously, not to mention playing fast and furious with the facts), <em>Rembrandt<\/em> stands out a notch above the crowd, and remains worthy viewing for all film fanatics. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Theatre fans will be especially gratified to see Gertrude Lawrence in one of her few cinematic appearances; she&#8217;s a worthy match for Laughton (as is his real-life wife, Elsa Lanchester). Watch also for a nearly unrecognizable performance by Roger Livesey as &#8220;Beggar Saul&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Charles Laughton as Rembrandt<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Laughton2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Laughton2-1024x750.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"469\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-46746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Laughton2-1024x750.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Laughton2-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Laughton2-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Laughton2-768x562.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Laughton2.png 1329w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Elsa Lanchester as Hendrickje<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lanchester2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lanchester2-1024x722.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"451\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-46744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lanchester2-1024x722.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lanchester2-300x211.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lanchester2-128x90.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lanchester2-768x541.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lanchester2.png 1389w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Gertrude Lawrence as Geertje<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lawrence.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lawrence-1024x730.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"456\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-46742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lawrence-1024x730.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lawrence-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lawrence-128x91.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lawrence-768x547.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Lawrence.png 1371w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Georges Perinal&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Cinematograph.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Cinematograph-1024x713.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"446\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-46743\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Cinematograph-1024x713.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Cinematograph-300x209.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Cinematograph-128x89.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Cinematograph-768x535.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Cinematograph.png 1397w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>Vincent Korda&#8217;s stunning sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Sets-1024x720.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"450\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-46741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Sets-1024x720.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Sets-300x211.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Sets-128x90.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Sets-768x540.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Sets.png 1387w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine period detail<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Period-Details.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Period-Details-1024x657.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"411\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-46748\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Period-Details-1024x657.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Period-Details-300x193.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Period-Details-128x82.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Period-Details-768x493.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/Rembrandt-Period-Details.png 1503w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for Laughton&#8217;s noteworthy performance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0028167\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1936\/12\/03\/archives\/laughtons-portrait-of-rembrandt-at-the-rivoli-bears-the-authentic.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s2904kord.html\">DVD Savant (scroll down)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/87948\/rembrandt#articles-reviews?articleId=178905\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;What is success? A soldier can reckon his success in victories, a merchant in money. But my world is insubstantial. I live in a beautiful, blinding, swirling mist.&#8221; Synopsis: Rembrandt van Rijn (Charles Laughton) deals with the death of his wife Saskia, suffers from bankruptcy, and falls in love with his housemaid (Elsa Lanchester). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Artists Biopics Charles Laughton Films Elsa Lanchester Films Historical Drama Roger Livesey Films Review: While Charles Laughton is perhaps best known&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=10118\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10118"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59174,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10118\/revisions\/59174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}