Watch The Planter's Wife

The Planter's Wife is a 1952 drama film that tells the story of a young Englishwoman who marries a tea plantation owner in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The film stars Claudette Colbert as the titular character, Gwen Moore, who is a beautiful and independent woman, and Jack Hawkins as her husband, Henry Moores, a strong-willed but caring man who loves his wife deeply. The film also features Anthony Steel as John, Gwen's old flame, who comes back into her life, causing Gwen to question her commitment to her husband and their life together.

The movie is set in the beautiful and exotic landscapes of Ceylon, where Henry and Gwen first met and fell in love. After getting married, they move to Henry's tea plantation where Gwen has to adjust to a new way of life, far different from her pampered upbringing in England. As she faces the challenges of living in a foreign land, Gwen gradually adapts, comes to love the land, and grows to love her husband, too. The film explores the themes of colonialism, women's independence, and the conflict between tradition and modernity.

The story takes a turn when Gwen's old flame, John, arrives in Ceylon. John is a handsome and charming man who has made his fortune and returns to rekindle his relationship with Gwen, who had once been his sweetheart. Although Gwen is happily married, she cannot help feeling a strong attraction to John, and they soon begin seeing each other in secret. However, when Henry finds out about the affair, it sets off a chain of events that will change everyone's lives forever.

Claudette Colbert gives an outstanding performance as Gwen, playing a woman who is both strong-willed and vulnerable. Her performance shows the dichotomy of a modern woman who is also trying to fit into the traditions of colonial Ceylon. Jack Hawkins, as Henry, is equally good, portraying a man who loves his wife deeply but also feels the weight of his responsibilities as a plantation owner. Anthony Steel as John is dashing and charismatic, making it easy to understand why Gwen is drawn to him.

The film is also notable for the beautiful cinematography and the stunning locations. Shot on location in Ceylon, the film shows the lush tea plantations, the tropical forests, and the traditional villages, giving a perfect background to the plot. The images of the tea-plucking and processing, the elephant herds, and the exotic wildlife bring the audience closer to nature and add to the film's intrigue.

Overall, The Planter's Wife is a captivating film that delves into the psyche of a modern woman and a traditional man. The tension between the two worldviews drives the plot, making it engaging from start to finish. The film explores the complexities of love, marriage, and family, and as the story develops, it becomes clear that there is no simple answer. The screenplay by John Baines and Edward Dmytryk keeps the audience guessing, and the direction by Dmytryk ties everything together with panache. All in all, The Planter's Wife is a movie that is not to be missed for lovers of drama, romance, and exotic locales.

The Planter's Wife is a 1952 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.