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PLOT SUMMARY: World War II separated pianist Christine Radcliffe from her great love, cellist Karel Novak. Unexpectedly reunited with Karel, Christine desperately tries to hide her wartime dalliance as the mistress of a wealthy, sadistic composer. She'll lie to keep her shameful past a secret. But will she also murder?
The three stars (Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claud Rains) and director (Irving Rapper) of "Now, Voyager" reunite for this glamorous angst-ridden melodrama set to a thrilling Erich Wolfgang Korngold score. A favourite of Davis fans, "Deception" inspired one of the best-known reviews in film history "It's like grand opera, only the people are thinner. I wouldn't have missed it for the world" (Cecelia Ager, PN).
ABOUT THE DVD: This is a release by WARNER HOME VIDEO for the UK market (Region 2 PAL format). The film is presented in its original BLACK & WHITE and in FULL SCREEN format and runs for a total of 107 minutes. AUDIO is the original ENGLISH language ((with GERMAN and SPANISH dubbed audiotracks on the DVD too) - SUBTITLES on the disc are ENGLISH, SPANISH or GERMAN - SPECIAL FEATURES on the DVD include a commentary by Film Historian Foster Hirsch, vintage newreel from 1946, and short sports 'Facing Your Danger', as well as classic cartoon 'Mouse Menace' and theatrical trailers for 'Deception' and 'A Stolen Life'.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Musician Bette Davis (Christine) tracks down her pre-war love Paul Henreid (Karel) who is performing as a cellist and they marry. However, in the years that they have been apart, ie, the 2nd World War years, Davis has had an affair with superstar composer Claude Rains (Hellonius) which she wants to keep a secret from Henreid. This is the deception that will later prove tragic as Rains is not so keen on her alliance with Henreid and does his best to undermine their union.......
This film belongs to Claude Rains and Bette Davis. Rains is excellent in every scene that he is in and provides great entertainment as a jilted, bitchy prima-donna. The dialogue in this film is very good, especially the scenes between Rains and Davis. Davis's performance comes second to Rains and her "Bette Davis eyes" reactions don't disappoint.
The film also succeeds in it's use of music in both the score for the film and the characters playing the instruments - Rains on the piano, Davis on the piano and Henreid on the cello. Unfortunately, Henreid gives a mixed performance. He is dislikable at the beginning but strangely becomes a more sympathetic character in the last half hour. His personality completely changes from a jumped-up jealous type to an understanding, caring soul. Very strange.
There is also a fundamental flaw in the plot for modern audiences. Why doesn't Davis just tell Henreid that she has had an affair with Rains after presuming Henreid had been killed. It's totally understandable so what's the big deal in keeping it a secret? We have to remind ourselves of a bygone time where social mores were very different from today. Without that mindset, the film seems like a total nonsense in terms of plot. Still, the film is an entertaining story about 3 neurotic musicians and it leaves you thinking about what happens next when it has finished.
This film belongs to Claude Rains and Bette Davis. Rains is excellent in every scene that he is in and provides great entertainment as a jilted, bitchy prima-donna. The dialogue in this film is very good, especially the scenes between Rains and Davis. Davis's performance comes second to Rains and her "Bette Davis eyes" reactions don't disappoint.
The film also succeeds in it's use of music in both the score for the film and the characters playing the instruments - Rains on the piano, Davis on the piano and Henreid on the cello. Unfortunately, Henreid gives a mixed performance. He is dislikable at the beginning but strangely becomes a more sympathetic character in the last half hour. His personality completely changes from a jumped-up jealous type to an understanding, caring soul. Very strange.
There is also a fundamental flaw in the plot for modern audiences. Why doesn't Davis just tell Henreid that she has had an affair with Rains after presuming Henreid had been killed. It's totally understandable so what's the big deal in keeping it a secret? We have to remind ourselves of a bygone time where social mores were very different from today. Without that mindset, the film seems like a total nonsense in terms of plot. Still, the film is an entertaining story about 3 neurotic musicians and it leaves you thinking about what happens next when it has finished.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Superb Transfer to DVD
This is one of my favorite films of the 40s. Davis is always watchable, even in her most mannered performances. But I am compelled to add to the chorus of accolades to Claude Rains. His work here is superb...artistry unparalleled. His Hollanius captures the arrogance and wit of creative genius, and I have known one or two such personages in my lifetime. A footnote to my admiration for this film is the superlative score by Korngold. I recently discovered his opera "Die Tote Stadt" - The Dead City - which is beautiful and oddly appropriate to "Deception." If you can approach "Deception" with the right frame of mind, you're in for a treat.
This is one of my favorite films of the 40s. Davis is always watchable, even in her most mannered performances. But I am compelled to add to the chorus of accolades to Claude Rains. His work here is superb...artistry unparalleled. His Hollanius captures the arrogance and wit of creative genius, and I have known one or two such personages in my lifetime. A footnote to my admiration for this film is the superlative score by Korngold. I recently discovered his opera "Die Tote Stadt" - The Dead City - which is beautiful and oddly appropriate to "Deception." If you can approach "Deception" with the right frame of mind, you're in for a treat.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The golden years of hollywood when producers/directors and the stars brought to the world the joy of life. Bette Davis was a big star her movies never failed to entertain you. Wherever she is I hope she is still acting up their in the big ranch.
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