Movie spotlight
Madeleine's middle-class family cannot understand why she puts off marrying a respectable young man, as they know nothing about her long-term affair with a Frenchman.
In 1920s Scotland, Madeleine Smith is a beautiful and privileged young woman who leads a double life. While engaged to a wealthy businessman, she secretly falls in love with a handsome Italian family chauffeur. Their clandestine affair leads to scandal and a murder trial that captivates the nation.
Madeleine was a critical and commercial success upon its release, praised for its dramatic tension and Ann Todd's performance. It is considered one of David Lean's earlier, more character-driven films.
Ann Todd's performance is a highlight, portraying a complex and compelling character.
The film successfully builds suspense around the murder trial and the protagonist's motivations.
David Lean's direction is adept at creating a dramatic and atmospheric setting.
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The film is based on the true story of Madeleine Smith, a Glasgow socialite accused of murdering her lover in 1857, though the film shifts the timeline to the 1920s.
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Ann Todd becomes better as she plays herself into the character of a rather devious and unscrupulous girl in this adaptation of a famous Glasgow murder (or, perhaps that should be murrrrdurrrr) tale from 1857. "Madeleine" is the daughter in...