The Browning Version (1951) on Netflix
Andrew Crocker-Harris teaches classics at an English public school and is retiring because of ill health. His wife, Millie, is having an affair with Frank Hunter, a science master there.
- Netflix4.2/5
- IMDb8.0/105,937 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes89%
Trailer
Plot summary
On the term's final morning the headmaster announces at prayers that Andrew Crocker-Harris, who teaches classics, is leaving after eighteen years because of ill health. His pupils call him the Crock and find him strict, and care little else about him. One boy, Taplow, comes to Andrew's rooms for a lesson on Robert Browning's translation of the Agamemnon, hoping to be promoted. Frank Hunter, who teaches science, is at the house, and Millie, Andrew's much younger wife, is months into an affair with him. At the cricket that afternoon the headmaster says the governors will not give Andrew a pension, and asks him to yield the last word at the prize-giving to Fletcher, who is better liked. Clearing his desk afterwards, Andrew finds the Agamemnon translation he never finished.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Browning Version (1951)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Terence Rattigan and Anthony Asquith could not interest producers in turning the play into a film until they found Earl St. John at Rank; St John, who had managed a small out-of-town cinema, wanted ordinary people in the remotest places to see the best modern British playwrights.
- Eric Portman, who originated the lead role on stage, turned down the film role, and Margaret Lockwood, who was meant to play Millie, turned that down too; Jean Kent took the part, as she often did with roles first envisioned for Lockwood.
