Set in the wake of the 1916 Easter Rising, a married woman (Sarah Miles) in a small Irish village has an affair with a troubled British officer. (The film is a very loose adaptation of Gustave Flaubert's novel "Madame Bovary".) Alec Guinness turned down the role of Father Collins; it had been written with him in mind, but Guinness, as a devout Roman Catholic, objected to what he felt was an inaccurate portrayal of a Catholic priest. His conflicts with Lean while making "Doctor Zhivago" also contributed. A shame, as Guinness would have added a little more to the production.
Two things I feel are worth noting. One is Robert Mitchum's accent. I may be wrong, but I don't think Mitchum ever naturally had an Irish accent. He pulls it off alright, at least to my American ears. It is nice to see him here in a less gruff role than usual.
Also, this somehow got a PG rating. I know the story about this happened, but really? A nude sex scene was given a PG? Granted, this is not the sort of movie kids are going to run out and rent or buy... but wow. I can understand why jack Valenti thought this was a huge mistake on the part of the MPAA.
Two things I feel are worth noting. One is Robert Mitchum's accent. I may be wrong, but I don't think Mitchum ever naturally had an Irish accent. He pulls it off alright, at least to my American ears. It is nice to see him here in a less gruff role than usual.
Also, this somehow got a PG rating. I know the story about this happened, but really? A nude sex scene was given a PG? Granted, this is not the sort of movie kids are going to run out and rent or buy... but wow. I can understand why jack Valenti thought this was a huge mistake on the part of the MPAA.