To Have and to Hold
To Have and to Hold

Movie spotlight

To Have and to Hold

1951
Movie
63 min
English

A man is permanently crippled in a horseback riding accident and then learns that he will soon die. He spends his last few days taking care of his family and trying to get his wife to find another man.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Director: Edmund GouldingGenres: Drama, Romance, War

Plot Summary

In the midst of World War II, a young woman navigates personal turmoil while her husband is away fighting. She finds herself drawn to another man, leading to a complex emotional entanglement. The film explores themes of love, duty, and the sacrifices made during wartime.

Critical Reception

While "To Have and to Hold" garnered moderate attention upon its release, it has since been largely overlooked in favor of other films from the era. Critics at the time noted its earnest performances and attempts at exploring the emotional toll of war on relationships, though some found the melodrama to be somewhat overwrought.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Joan Fontaine's central performance.

  • The film effectively conveys the emotional strain of wartime separation.

  • Some critics found the plot a bit predictable and sentimental.

Google audience: Audience reviews for "To Have and to Hold" are scarce, making it difficult to ascertain a definitive consensus. However, the film appears to be appreciated by those who enjoy classic dramas focused on emotional relationships during historical conflicts.

Fun Fact

The film was based on the novel "The World We Live In" by Ludwig Bemelmans.

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