The Fountain

1934 1h 23m EN

🤯

8.9

MASTERPIECE

★8.9TMDB · 4

DramaRomance

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Set during the first World War in neutral, but pro-German, Holland, Lewis Allison, an interned British officer, is paroled to the castle of Baron Von Leyden and finds living there, but now married to German officer Rupert Von Narwitz, his childhood sweetheart Julie. Long discussions between Julie and Allison, centering on family conflicts that kept them apart, take place before the severely wounded Von Narwitz returns to the castle and more long discussions ensue.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Ann Harding
Julie von Marwitz
Brian Aherne
Lewis Allison
Paul Lukas
Rupert von Marwitz
Jean Hersholt
Baron von Leyden
Ralph Forbes
Ballater
Violet Kemble Cooper
Baroness Van Leyden
Sara Haden
Sophie Van Leyden
Ian Wolfe
Van Arkel

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: John Cromwell
Writers: Samuel Hoffenstein, Jane Murfin, Charles Morgan
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

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

RUNTIME

Did you know

83 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

92 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by John Cromwell, shot by Henry W. Gerrard. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Ann Harding and Brian Aherne and Paul Lukas carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0025133 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 4 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

John Cromwell directs. Henry W. Gerrard behind the camera. Max Steiner scores. William Morgan cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

183 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
292 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Directed by John Cromwell, shot by Henry W. Gerrard. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Max Steiner. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor William Morgan shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Ann Harding and Brian Aherne and Paul Lukas carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0025133 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 4 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.