A remake of the superior silent version starring beautiful Gloria Swanson and handsome, rugged Thomas Meighan, Male and Female (1919 - available on legitimate DVD off Amazon) this 1957 version pales in comparison to the older film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. This version stars Kenneth More, Diane Cilento, and Sally Ann Howes as the principal leads, and while they are cute in their roles none of them compare to the acting abilities of the silent film cast, who gave great subtlety and irony and sexuality to their roles. If a viewer liked this nice but rather weak version of James M. Barrie's classic play then the viewer owes it to himself or herself to see the superior silent version; you will love it.
One important aspect of this 1957 film that is totally lacking is the underlying sexual attraction and class friction between Lady Mary and the butler Crichton, which was displayed quite evocatively in the silent version. In the remake, Crichton doesn't seem to be aware of Lady Mary at all sexually until they get to the island, he's all eyes for Tweeny! That wasn't in the original play. In the original play and silent film Crichton treated Tweeny respectfully but also has some disdain for her uncultured ways and speech. In the play and silent version Crichton is much more of a snob himself! Also in the silent version, Crichton never professes he loves Tweeny, and doesn't kiss her. Neither are all the other men attracted to Tweeny on the island in the silent version or in the original play, though Ernest is briefly interested in her in the play.
It seems to me this 1957 version was re-written to give Tweeny (Diane Cilento) a much bigger part than her character was in the original play or silent film. This throws the whole film off kilter and takes away from some of its class distinctions and the romantic relationship and forbidden sexuality between Lady Mary and Crichton.
Even more bizarre, in this version there is no overt jealousy between Tweeny and Lady Mary, no real competition between the two ladies for Crichton! This altered plot device further weakened this version. In the silent version Tweeny literally fought with Lady Mary tooth and nail for Crichton's love and attention, which was far more realistic. In the silent version when the wedding is taking place and a rescue boat is seen in the distance Tweeny is triumphant, grabs Lady Mary's arm and says fiercely, "Do you know what that means, Mary? He's coming back to ME!" There's no equivalent scene like that in the 1957 version. Therefore the rescue doesn't pack the same punch.
The location shoot in Bermuda must have been a difficult one for the cast and crew; it was filmed on a deserted island; whatever modern conveniences they needed they would have had to bring by boat or helicopter. The water and land and sky shots are pretty and I enjoyed seeing the inventions the group came up with to make their lives easier before they were rescued. However the nice location doesn't make up for the fact that the original story has been considerably weakened for this version.
My advice: see the silent version, and even more importantly, read the original play by James Matthew Barrie. It's a great classic.
One important aspect of this 1957 film that is totally lacking is the underlying sexual attraction and class friction between Lady Mary and the butler Crichton, which was displayed quite evocatively in the silent version. In the remake, Crichton doesn't seem to be aware of Lady Mary at all sexually until they get to the island, he's all eyes for Tweeny! That wasn't in the original play. In the original play and silent film Crichton treated Tweeny respectfully but also has some disdain for her uncultured ways and speech. In the play and silent version Crichton is much more of a snob himself! Also in the silent version, Crichton never professes he loves Tweeny, and doesn't kiss her. Neither are all the other men attracted to Tweeny on the island in the silent version or in the original play, though Ernest is briefly interested in her in the play.
It seems to me this 1957 version was re-written to give Tweeny (Diane Cilento) a much bigger part than her character was in the original play or silent film. This throws the whole film off kilter and takes away from some of its class distinctions and the romantic relationship and forbidden sexuality between Lady Mary and Crichton.
Even more bizarre, in this version there is no overt jealousy between Tweeny and Lady Mary, no real competition between the two ladies for Crichton! This altered plot device further weakened this version. In the silent version Tweeny literally fought with Lady Mary tooth and nail for Crichton's love and attention, which was far more realistic. In the silent version when the wedding is taking place and a rescue boat is seen in the distance Tweeny is triumphant, grabs Lady Mary's arm and says fiercely, "Do you know what that means, Mary? He's coming back to ME!" There's no equivalent scene like that in the 1957 version. Therefore the rescue doesn't pack the same punch.
The location shoot in Bermuda must have been a difficult one for the cast and crew; it was filmed on a deserted island; whatever modern conveniences they needed they would have had to bring by boat or helicopter. The water and land and sky shots are pretty and I enjoyed seeing the inventions the group came up with to make their lives easier before they were rescued. However the nice location doesn't make up for the fact that the original story has been considerably weakened for this version.
My advice: see the silent version, and even more importantly, read the original play by James Matthew Barrie. It's a great classic.