The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957)

This remake of The Barretts of Wimpole Street pales in comparison with the original, but if taken on its own terms is a perfectly adequate romance. Certainly the physical production is nothing to sneeze at, with MGM giving Barretts a customarily splendid look. Some changes have been made in the screenplay, primarily to accommodate the fact that Jennifer Jones is portraying Elizabeth Barrett as a character less sickly of body than of spirit. These are subtle changes, but they do make an impact. The balance of the film is also a bit off-kilter, with more emphasis placed on the daughter-father relationship than on that of the woman and her lover. This is partly due to John Gielgud's imposing performance as the father, an exemplary portrayal that possesses both strength and nuance. As the lover, Bill Travers looks very good and handles himself well, but he lacks the innate strength to take charge of the screen; he confuses being commanding with being demanding. For her part, Jones clearly relishes the role and is good, but she somehow never quite clicks the way you keep expecting her to. Much better is Virginia McKenna, whose supporting performance is all one could ask for. Less than perfect, this Barretts is still a fine way to pass the time when one is in a romantic mood. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide