Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
liked it.
A powerful drama, The Seventh Veil continues to make an impact decades after its release, in spite of the fact that modern audiences will likely find its psychological underpinnings somewhat dated. As with many films of the period that sought to incorporate psychology into the proceedings,
Veil oversimplifies things tremendously, from the ease with which a patient can be hypnotized (and the extent of what they can reveal under hypnosis) to the ability of a doctor to bring about a total transformation in a matter of a few sessions. Yet, if one looks beyond these flaws, one can appreciate the film's attempt to analyze the complexity of certain male-female relationships in which domination and submission play an important role; it may romanticize and "Hollywood"-ize these relationships, but it still presents them in a compelling manner. Much more importantly,
Veil's drama is solid, presented in a screenplay that is structurally sound and contains several meaty roles, and which is well realized by
Compton Bennett's sturdy, assured, and occasionally imaginative direction. Bennett deserves special praise for the tension he creates in several recital sequences, which is not allowed to resolve until the end of each sequence.
Ann Todd does very well with the leading role (although she's a bit too old to pass for a teenager in the early flashbacks) and creates a character that grabs the viewer's attention and sympathy.
James Mason is totally absorbing, a dark, broody Rochester-ian figure who nonetheless is undeniably attractive, and
Herbert Lom does well as the psychiatrist.
Veil has its flaws, but it keeps the viewer glued to the screen throughout. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide