The Seventh Veil

"It Dares Strip Down a Woman's Mind"

1945 1h 34m EN

👍

6.6

SOLID

⭐

6.7

IMDB

★6.6TMDB · 46★6.7IMDB · 2,575

MusicDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A concert pianist with amnesia fights to regain her memory.

“It Dares Strip Down a Woman's Mind”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

James Mason
Nicholas Cunningham
Ann Todd
Francesca Cunningham
Herbert Lom
Dr. Larsen
Hugh McDermott
Peter Gay
Albert Lieven
Maxwell Leyden
Yvonne Owen
Susan Brook
David Horne
Dr. Kendall
Manning Whiley
Dr. Irving

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Compton Bennett
Writers: Muriel Box, Sydney Box
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

CRAFT

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Compton Bennett, shot by Reginald H. Wyer. 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 Benjamin Frankel. 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 Gordon Hales 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

James Mason and Ann Todd and Herbert Lom carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "It Dares Strip Down a Woman's Mind".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0038924 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Compton Bennett directs. Reginald H. Wyer behind the camera. Benjamin Frankel scores. Gordon Hales cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

181 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
3Directed by Compton Bennett, shot by Reginald H. Wyer. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Benjamin Frankel. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Gordon Hales shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6James Mason and Ann Todd and Herbert Lom carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "It Dares Strip Down a Woman's Mind".
8IMDB entry: tt0038924 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 46 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Reginald H. Wyer
Original score: Benjamin Frankel
Editing: Gordon Hales
Costume design: Dorothy Sinclair
Makeup / hair: Nell Taylor
Runtime: 94 min · 1h 34m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): NR
IMDB: The Seventh Veil (1945)
IMDB rating: 6.7/10 · 2,575 votes
MPAA: Approved

Awards

Won 1 Oscar. 5 wins & 1 nomination total

Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Compton Bennett

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2022-07-01
★ 7/10
Ann Todd ("Francesca") is a renowned concert pianist being treated by psychiatrist Herbert Lom ("Dr. Larsen") after she tried to commit suicide. To establish what has driven her to this, we delve back into her past as she goes to live with her rather austere, wealthy, distant cousin "Nicholas" (James Mason) who starts her off on her rather lonely path to success. Only when she falls in love with "Max" (Albert Lievin) does she start to confront her fears - and Mason - and try to break free from his control. Aside from some wonderful classical accompaniments as she plays the concert halls of Europe; the acting is stylish - Mason exudes a sophisticated, nuanced degree of menace and Lom a caring determination to help his patient as the drama builds to it's climax. Tod I found, was the weak link. She didn't quite reach the heights of her co-stars, and her performance here is just a little stilted and lacklustre; but as en ensemble piece the film delivers well.

Production companies