The Dark Angel
The Dark Angel

Movie spotlight

The Dark Angel

1935
Movie
106 min
English

Kitty Vane, Alan Trent, and Gerald Shannon have been inseparable friends since childhood. Kitty has always known she would marry one of them, but has waited until the beginning of World War I before finally choosing Alan. Gerald graciously gives them his blessing. Then, Gerald and Alan go to war. Angered over a misunderstanding involving Alan and Kitty, Gerald sends Alan on a dangerous mission that will change all their lives forever.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Director: Sidney FranklinGenres: Drama, Romance, War

Plot Summary

In World War I London, the wealthy and sophisticated Kitty Vane is engaged to the handsome Squadron Leader Alan Duncan. However, her capricious nature leads her to also flirt with the brooding and enigmatic Gerald. When Alan is blinded in combat, his returning home shatters Kitty's perceived obligation to him, and she breaks off their engagement. Gerald, who has quietly loved Kitty from afar, proposes to her, but she is unable to commit, haunted by her feelings and the complexities of her past actions.

Critical Reception

The Dark Angel was met with mixed to positive reviews upon its release. While some critics praised its emotional depth and Bankhead's performance, others found the melodrama overwrought. It is often remembered for its dramatic performances and its exploration of the psychological toll of war on relationships.

What Reviewers Say

  • Tallulah Bankhead delivers a powerful and complex performance as the conflicted Kitty.

  • The film effectively portrays the emotional devastation caused by war on personal relationships.

  • Some found the dramatic narrative to be overly sentimental and melodramatic.

Google audience: Audience reception for The Dark Angel is not widely documented through easily accessible Google user reviews. However, the film is generally appreciated for its dramatic narrative and strong performances.

Fun Fact

Tallulah Bankhead's performance in 'The Dark Angel' is considered one of her most significant dramatic roles of the 1930s, showcasing her range beyond her more flamboyant stage personas.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Despite having quite a solid cast, I found this wartime drama drifted just once too often into the realms of sentimentality and I found it quiet heavy going at times. It's all about a love triangle. "Kitty" (Merle Oberon) has long since bee...