Watch A Stolen Life
- NR
- 1946
- 1 hr 47 min
-
7.2 (4,043)
A Stolen Life is a compelling 1946 drama directed by Curtis Bernhardt and starring Bette Davis, Glenn Ford, and Dane Clark. The movie tells the story of twin sisters, Kate and Pat, who meet a young artist named Bill Emerson (Glenn Ford) while vacationing on Martha's Vineyard. While Kate is hesitant to pursue a relationship with Bill, Pat falls in love with him at first sight.
Kate (Bette Davis), who is more reserved than her sister, takes a backseat to Pat (also portrayed by Davis) in the pursuit of Bill's affections. However, some time later, Kate is left alone with Bill on a small fishing boat when Pat is called back to the city. During their time together, Kate realizes that she has developed feelings for Bill as well.
As fate would have it, tragedy strikes when the small boat capsizes, and Pat drowns. Kate, heartbroken by her twin sister's death, assumes Pat's identity to start her life anew. She moves to New York City, takes a job as a singer, and begins a relationship with Bill, who is unaware that he is now involved with Kate and not Pat.
The plot thickens when Tony, a man who had been in love with Pat before her death, comes back into Kate's life. He realizes that she is impersonating Pat and blackmails her, demanding she breaks up with Bill, or he will tell him the truth about her identity.
A Stolen Life is a beautiful movie, with brilliant performances by Bette Davis, who effortless brought the two characters of Pat and Kate to life. The film also has impressive cinematography, which makes the Martha's Vineyard scenes resemble a painting. The location scouts and production designers recreated the idyllic setting and made it a character itself in the movie.
One striking aspect of the film is that it was made in a pre-digital age, and the special effects used in some scenes were limited. Thankfully, the plot's complexity and the actors' committed performances made up for any technical shortcomings.
The relationship between Kate and Bill is the movie's driving force, and Glenn Ford delivers a straightforward performance, which effortlessly blends with that of Bette Davis's. The movie also has a well-timed twist â a blackmail attempt by Tony â that raises the stakes and heightens the tension.
Ultimately, A Stolen Life is a story about identity, love, and loss. It is a reminder that sometimes, love comes when we least expect it, and in the most unexpected of situations. This movie offers an engaging and heart-wrenching tale that explores the lengths people will go to pursue their desires.
In conclusion, A Stolen Life is a must watch, especially for fans of classic Hollywood cinema. It is a well-crafted and engaging drama that delivers a compelling story without relying on flashy technical gimmicks. The movie has stood the test of time and provides an insightful look at the human experience that remains relevant decades later.
A Stolen Life is a 1946 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.