Brief Encounter [VHS]
starring: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey, Cyril Raymond
directed by: David Lean
directed by: David Lean
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To many, Brief Encounter may seem like a relic of more proper times--or, specifically, more properly British times--when the pressures of marital decorum and fidelity were perhaps more keenly felt. In truth, David Lean's fourth film remains a timeless study of true love (or, rather, the promise of it), and the aching desire for intimate connection that is often subdued by the obligations of marriage. And so it is that ordinary Londoners Alec (Trevor Howard), a married doctor, and contented housewife Laura (Celia Johnson) meet by chance one day in a train station, when he volunteers to remove a fleck of ash from her eye (a romantic gesture that, perhaps, inspired Robert Towne's "flaw in the iris" scene in Chinatown).
It so happens that their schedules coincide at the train station every Thursday, and their casual attraction grows, through quiet conversation and longing expressions, into the desperate recognition of mutual love. From this point forward, Lean turns this utterly precise, 85-minute film into a bracing study of romantic suspense, leading inevitably, and with the paranoid, furtive glances of a spy thriller, to the moment when this brief encounter must be consummated or abandoned altogether. Decades later, the outcome of this affair--both agonizing and rapturous--is subtle and yet powerful enough to draw tears from the numbest of souls, and spark debate regarding the tragedy or virtue of the choices made. A truly universal film, with meticulously controlled emotions revealed through the flawlessperformances of Howard and Johnson, and an enduring masterpiece that continued Lean on his course to cinematic greatness. --Jeff Shannon
To many, Brief Encounter may seem like a relic of more proper times--or, specifically, more properly British times--when the pressures of marital decorum and fidelity were perhaps more keenly felt. In truth, David Lean's fourth film remains a timeless study of true love (or, rather, the promise of it), and the aching desire for intimate connection that is often subdued by the obligations of marriage. And so it is that ordinary Londoners Alec (Trevor Howard), a married doctor, and contented housewife Laura (Celia Johnson) meet by chance one day in a train station, when he volunteers to remove a fleck of ash from her eye (a romantic gesture that, perhaps, inspired Robert Towne's "flaw in the iris" scene in Chinatown).
It so happens that their schedules coincide at the train station every Thursday, and their casual attraction grows, through quiet conversation and longing expressions, into the desperate recognition of mutual love. From this point forward, Lean turns this utterly precise, 85-minute film into a bracing study of romantic suspense, leading inevitably, and with the paranoid, furtive glances of a spy thriller, to the moment when this brief encounter must be consummated or abandoned altogether. Decades later, the outcome of this affair--both agonizing and rapturous--is subtle and yet powerful enough to draw tears from the numbest of souls, and spark debate regarding the tragedy or virtue of the choices made. A truly universal film, with meticulously controlled emotions revealed through the flawlessperformances of Howard and Johnson, and an enduring masterpiece that continued Lean on his course to cinematic greatness. --Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Stiff upper lips tremble with repressed emotion
This classic weepie still holds up pretty well and takes us back to a bygone age where people did not feel the need to flaunt themselves and their emotions in public.
Celia Johnson holds this romance together. She's the ordinary mother of two with the stolid, dependable, crossword solving hubby who suddenly falls in love with an equally married doctor she meets in a railway station. The two meet several more times, proclaim their love for one another, almost consummate it -- and then step back ... Read More
Rating: 
- 2 stars out of 4
The Bottom Line:
A romantic movie whose romance is so understated it's almost not even there (even the movie's stars didn't get why their characters *mild spoiler* don't have sex), Brief Encounter may appeal to minimalists but it sure would be a lot more interesting if something actually happened; aside from the inspired black and white photography there's little to recommend about this slow and dated romance.
Rating: - Memorable film but expensive DVD
With all the detailed and erudite reviews of this famous film, let me merely comment that since it was released in 2000, there have been many DVDs released of many classics at a much lower price. Many of them offer much more than Criterion do here. Sure, you do get a very good restored print and commentary but on even the most assembly line Hollywood product, that is almost standard now.
"Brief Encounter" is an exquisite film with an overwhelming performance of heart rending poignancy from ... Read More
Rating: - A classic, ladies and gentlemen!
Although Brief Encounter went for some years being disparaged by smartass comics, the film stands the test of time by virtue of the sensitive performances, Noel Coward's nearly impeccable writing, Robert Krasker's magnificent photography and David Lean's smooth direction, long before he became the Swami of the Sumptuous (River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia et al).This film brought Celia Johnson acclaim with a well-observed performance and she is matched by Trevor Howard in his best acting ever, and it was ... Read More
Rating: - Language: English (YES)Italian (NO)
For "Brief Encounter - Criterion Collection" (1946)
"Brief Encounter - Criterion Collection" is a gorgeous restoration of an exceptional and enduring work of art.
But the Amazon product detail description of "Language: English, Italian" is incorrect.Italian audio is not an option.
- Stiff upper lips tremble with repressed emotionThis classic weepie still holds up pretty well and takes us back to a bygone age where people did not feel the need to flaunt themselves and their emotions in public.
Celia Johnson holds this romance together. She's the ordinary mother of two with the stolid, dependable, crossword solving hubby who suddenly falls in love with an equally married doctor she meets in a railway station. The two meet several more times, proclaim their love for one another, almost consummate it -- and then step back ... Read More
- 2 stars out of 4The Bottom Line:
A romantic movie whose romance is so understated it's almost not even there (even the movie's stars didn't get why their characters *mild spoiler* don't have sex), Brief Encounter may appeal to minimalists but it sure would be a lot more interesting if something actually happened; aside from the inspired black and white photography there's little to recommend about this slow and dated romance.
- Memorable film but expensive DVDWith all the detailed and erudite reviews of this famous film, let me merely comment that since it was released in 2000, there have been many DVDs released of many classics at a much lower price. Many of them offer much more than Criterion do here. Sure, you do get a very good restored print and commentary but on even the most assembly line Hollywood product, that is almost standard now.
"Brief Encounter" is an exquisite film with an overwhelming performance of heart rending poignancy from ... Read More
- A classic, ladies and gentlemen!Although Brief Encounter went for some years being disparaged by smartass comics, the film stands the test of time by virtue of the sensitive performances, Noel Coward's nearly impeccable writing, Robert Krasker's magnificent photography and David Lean's smooth direction, long before he became the Swami of the Sumptuous (River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia et al).This film brought Celia Johnson acclaim with a well-observed performance and she is matched by Trevor Howard in his best acting ever, and it was ... Read More
- Language: English (YES)Italian (NO)For "Brief Encounter - Criterion Collection" (1946)
"Brief Encounter - Criterion Collection" is a gorgeous restoration of an exceptional and enduring work of art.
But the Amazon product detail description of "Language: English, Italian" is incorrect.Italian audio is not an option.
