The Stars Look Down
The Stars Look Down

Movie spotlight

The Stars Look Down

1940
Movie
110 min
English

Davey Fenwick leaves his mining village on a university scholarship intent on returning to better support the miners against the owners. But he falls in love with Jenny who gets him to marry her and return home as local schoolteacher before finishing his degree.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: Carol ReedGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

Set in a Welsh mining community, the film follows the life of Francis Thompson, a young man consumed by ambition and a desire to escape the harsh realities of the coal mines. His journey is fraught with love, betrayal, and the constant struggle against the oppressive forces of industrialism and social inequality. Francis rises through the ranks, but his pursuit of power and progress ultimately leads to tragic consequences for himself and those around him.

Critical Reception

The Stars Look Down was generally well-received by critics for its powerful social commentary, strong performances, and atmospheric direction. It was praised for its unflinching portrayal of working-class life and the impact of the industrial revolution on society. While its bleak outlook was noted, the film's dramatic force and realistic depiction contributed to its positive reception.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stark and honest depiction of life in a mining town.

  • Michael Redgrave's performance as the ambitious Francis Thompson is a standout.

  • The film effectively captures the social and economic struggles of the era.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for 'The Stars Look Down' is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The film was based on A. J. Cronin's novel of the same name, which was itself inspired by the experiences of miners in the 1930s and the Bennison disaster of 1928.

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TMDB Reviews

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Michael Redgrave is the local boy done good, when he wins a scholarship to go to university to train to be a teacher. Unfortunately, he has fallen in love with the rather fickle "Jenny" (Margaret Lockwood) who has a bit of a venal streak. C...