The Years Between

1946 1h 28m EN

👍

6.7

SOLID

★6.7TMDB · 6

DramaRomance

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

After hearing news that her officer husband has been killed in battle, Diana Wentworth forges a new life for herself, becoming an MP and learning to love again. Then, out of the blue comes the shattering news that her husband is not dead after all.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Michael Redgrave
Michael Wentworth
Valerie Hobson
Diana Wentworth
Flora Robson
Nanny
James McKechnie
Richard Llewellyn
Felix Aylmer
Sir Ernest Foster
Dulcie Gray
Judy
John Gilpin
Robin Wentworth
Edward Rigby
Postman

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

RUNTIME

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

80 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

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

Michael Redgrave and Valerie Hobson and Flora Robson carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0039112 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 6 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

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

188 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
280 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
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.
6Michael Redgrave and Valerie Hobson and Flora Robson carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0039112 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 6 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
Makeup / hair: Nell Taylor
Runtime: 88 min · 1h 28m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: The Years Between (1946)

Also by

Compton Bennett

Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2022-03-27
★ 7/10
Valerie Hobson ("Diana") is widowed during WWII - her late husband, the local Member of Parliament. After an extended period of mourning that shows little sign of ending, her nanny Flora Robson sets a few wheels in motion that results in her former charge being elected to succeed her husband in Parliament. Initially nervous, she ultimately rises to the task, and manages to fall in love again - this time, thanks to a timely air-raid, with "Richard" (James McKenchnie). Then an altogether different sort of bomb drops - and she must rewind her life some four years and deal with some truly unforeseen circumstances. Hobson is good in this film, as is Robson who delivers quite a few poignant one-liners and even a short speech towards the end on the responsibilities and opportunities of those left to win the peace after the war had been won. Michael Redgrave also features, as "Col. Wentworth", a troubled man with a mission that involved all sorts of sacrifices for King and Country. "Diana" develops her newly found role into one of determination and humanity - she takes up the cudgels for a great many women who were left at home, widowed; their children relocated, having to make ends meet as best they can in the face of the horror of war. It's got something more real about it, this film and as their postman always moans: "things will never be the same again" - he might well be right.

Production companies