The Rake's Progress

"The private life of a magnificent heel...who brought out the woman in women!"

1945 1h 40m EN

👍

6.8

SOLID

★6.8TMDB · 13

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Vivian Kenway, a young Englishman from an aristocratic background, flunks out of Oxford, and decides to use his considerable charm to achieve his goal of, apparently, making dissipation his career. His derelictions include seduction, betrayals of sweethearts, family and friends, and Marriage for money. All this with no signs of remorse or redemption, since his life as a completely unprincipled rake is quite enjoyable...for him, at least. Then, World War II breaks out and he is given a chance to die a heroic death for flag and country. Maybe.

“The private life of a magnificent heel...who brought out the woman in women!”

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Cast

Rex Harrison
Vivian Kenway
Lilli Palmer
Rikki Krausner
Godfrey Tearle
Colonel Robert Kenway
Griffith Jones
Sandy Duncan
Margaret Johnston
Jennifer Calthorp
Guy Middleton
Fogroy
Jean Kent
Jill Duncan
Marie Lohr
Lady Angela Parks

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Sidney Gilliat
Writers: Sidney Gilliat, Frank Launder, Val Valentine
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

81 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Sidney Gilliat, shot by Wilkie Cooper. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by William Alwyn. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Thelma Connell shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer and Godfrey Tearle carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "The private life of a magnificent heel...who brought out the woman in women!".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0037950 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 13 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Sidney Gilliat directs. Wilkie Cooper behind the camera. William Alwyn scores. Thelma Connell cuts. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

181 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Directed by Sidney Gilliat, shot by Wilkie Cooper. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by William Alwyn. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Thelma Connell shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer and Godfrey Tearle carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "The private life of a magnificent heel...who brought out the woman in women!".
7IMDB entry: tt0037950 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 13 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.