DCSIMG
 
 

Rembrandt (1936)

Rembrandt (1936)
Member Rating:  
Lightning steadfastly refused to strike twice for the director/actor team of Alexander Korda and Charles Laughton. Though the pair had scored an international success with the 1933 quasi-biopic The Private Life of Henry VIII, they couldn't make the magic happen again with 1936's Rembrandt. Laughton's performance is solid throughout, and Korda's recreation of Rembrandt's Holland is meticulous, but the film suffers from a lack of overall dramatic tension. Except for his artistic achievements and the deaths of his two wives, nothing really "happens" to Rembrandt--at least nothing as colorful as the escapades of Henry VIII. The best element of the film is the successful effort by cinematographer Georges Perinal to recreate the famous "Rembrandt lighting" effect in each scene. Laughton is given fine support by Elsa Lanchester (his real-life wife), and by legendary stage star Gertrude Lawrence in a rare film role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Charles Laughton, Gertrude Lawrence, (more)
Director(s):
Alexander Korda
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of Rembrandt

Lightning steadfastly refused to strike twice for the director/actor team of Alexander Korda and Charles Laughton. Though the pair had scored an international success with the 1933 quasi-biopic The Private Life of Henry VIII, they couldn't make the magic happen again with 1936's Rembrandt. Laughton's performance is solid throughout, and Korda's recreation of Rembrandt's Holland is meticulous, but the film suffers from a lack of overall dramatic tension. Except for his artistic achievements and the deaths of his two wives, nothing really "happens" to Rembrandt--at least nothing as colorful as the escapades of Henry VIII. The best element of the film is the successful effort by cinematographer Georges Perinal to recreate the famous "Rembrandt lighting" effect in each scene. Laughton is given fine support by Elsa Lanchester (his real-life wife), and by legendary stage star Gertrude Lawrence in a rare film role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
85 mins

Complete Cast of Rembrandt


Director(s):
Alexander Korda
Writer(s):
Carl Zuckmayer, Arthur Wimperis, June Head
Producer(s):
Alexander Korda
Looking for special editions of Rembrandt?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
 

IN-STORE

 

ON DEMAND

Blockbuster Instant Video

Watch thousands of movies instantly on your TV, tablet, mobile phone or computer with no monthly subscription. You pay only for what you watch.
 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
    Read all (4)
     
    Ann C.

    I thought that Charles Laughton did a remarkable job of portraying Rembrandt. Especially in his appearance, as he managed to look a lot like the Dutch artist at various stages in his life. Other subjects from Rembrandt's paintings appear here and there: Titus, his son, Dr. Tulp, Hendrickje, Dr. Monasseh, etc. Plus, a troop of officers from "The Night Watch." The film's plot is somewhat lightweight, but it's still an enjoyable viewing experience.

    Yes   |   No

     
    PJ A.

    I always enjoy Alexander Korda movies. My only complaint is so many Korda movies, so little time. There should be a movie about his personal life, he was a colorful personality and lived in interesting times and places. This story could have been more "dramatic" but is well worth seeing for the excellent acting, lighting, writing. If you enjoy perfectly crafted black and white movies, you will like this one. Rembrandt could be called a feminist, they chose to show this in several scenes, commendable.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Albert W.

    Though I have one objection in detail, not substance, that Rembrandt's last name of van Rijn is mispronounced -- anyone who does not speak Dutch would make that mistake -- on the whole, this is a very good movie. It shows Rembrandt's talent and the very hard work he did to become one of the world's greatest painters. He endured great heartbreak including the deaths of 3 babies, then his wife, and finally their son. Rembrandt achieved much, including mastering the art of painting pictured of multiple people, indeed doing so in such a way as showed their personalities, almost as though they were biographies. Yet Rembrandt had expensive tastes, and that was his one shortcoming, While he and his wife were both well-endowed financially, he spent too much and had to file for bankruptcy. This shows, while he had character and talent, he did not learn financial discipline.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 4 Reviews
       

      Rating Systems

       

      Blockbuster

      Find Us Online: BLOCKBUSTER Blog - BLOCKBUSTER Widgets - BLOCKBUSTER RSS FEED - BLOCKBUSTER Facebook Page - BLOCKBUSTER Twitter Page - BLOCKBUSTER Wiki

      Email Exclusives

      BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
        2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.

      Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation.   2013 Rovi Corporation.