Watch Travels with My Aunt

Travels with My Aunt is a 1972 British comedy film directed by George Cukor and based on the novel of the same name by Graham Greene. The film stars Maggie Smith, Alec McCowen, and Louis Gossett Jr. and tells the story of a straight-laced banker named Henry Pulling, who is recruited into a globe-trotting adventure by his eccentric Aunt Augusta.

The movie opens with Henry Pulling (Alec McCowen) living a dull, uneventful life in a British suburb, where he spends his days tending to his beloved dahlias in his garden. Following the death of his mother, he meets his Aunt Augusta (Maggie Smith) at the funeral, who he hasn't seen in over 50 years since he was a child. Augusta is a flamboyant, exotic, and adventurous woman who has traveled all over the world and tells Henry of her latest escapades in Africa.

Augusta's arrival in Henry's life turns everything upside down, and she quickly convinces him to go with her on a whirlwind trip around the world. Traveling by train, boat, and plane, Henry and Augusta embark on a quest to find love, excitement, and adventure. Along the way, they encounter eccentric characters, including a bizarre American named Wordsworth (Louis Gossett Jr.), who gets involved in their escapades.

Their first stop is Paris, where Augusta introduces Henry to her old flame, a Senegalese businessman called Mr. Visconti, who needs their help to smuggle a valuable painting out of the country. From there, they travel to Istanbul, where Henry discovers that Augusta is running illegal activities, and they are almost caught by the Turkish authorities. However, Augusta's quick thinking saves them, and they fly off to South America, where they become embroiled in a revolution.

Travels with My Aunt is a movie that captures the essence of the 1970s, with its groovy soundtrack, colorful costumes, and adventurous spirit. It's a road movie, a caper movie, and a love story all rolled into one, featuring a fantastic cast giving some of their best performances. Maggie Smith shines as the free-spirited Augusta, who is both daring and charming, while Alec McCowen holds his own as the mild-mannered Henry, who becomes more and more intrigued by his aunt's wild schemes. Gossett Jr. is also excellent as the eccentric Wordsworth, who provides a touch of humor to the movie.

One of the aspects that make Travels with My Aunt so appealing is the fantastic locations that the characters visit, making the film a travelogue in many ways. From Paris to Istanbul, from South America to Africa, the movie takes the viewers on a magical journey around the world. The cinematography is beautiful, capturing the exoticism and vibrancy of the different countries and cultures.

At its core, Travels with My Aunt is a movie about finding oneself and breaking out of one's comfort zone. Henry starts the movie as a shy, retiring character, but as he embarks on this journey with his Aunt Augusta, he discovers his adventurous side and learns to take risks. The movie is also about the power of love and the different types of love that exist. Augusta's love for her nephew drives her to take him on this life-altering adventure, and Henry's love for his aunt leads him to follow her wherever she goes.

In conclusion, Travels with My Aunt is a charming and delightful movie that will transport viewers to a world of adventure and excitement. With its fantastic cast, beautiful locations, and a heartwarming message, it's a movie that will appeal to anyone who loves a good, old-fashioned adventure.

Travels with My Aunt is a 1972 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.