Adapted from William Makepeace Thackeray’s novel Vanity Fair, this period drama follows the ambitious and cunning Becky Sharp, a social climber who uses charm, wit, and manipulation to rise from poverty to the upper echelons of British society during the Napoleonic era. Her pursuit of wealth and status leads her through love affairs, political intrigues, and moral compromises, ultimately forcing her to face the consequences of her relentless ambition.
Genre: Drama, Historical, Literary Adaptation
Director: Rouben Mamoulian
Rouben Mamoulian (1897–1987) was an Armenian-American director known for his innovative visual style and technical experimentation in both stage and screen productions. Celebrated for bringing fresh energy and artistic daring to Hollywood films, Mamoulian’s credits include Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), Love Me Tonight (1932), and Queen Christina (1933). With Becky Sharp, he made cinematic history by directing the first feature-length film shot entirely in three-strip Technicolor.
Star cast:
- Miriam Hopkins as Becky Sharp
- Frances Dee as Amelia Sedley
- Cedric Hardwicke as Marquis of Steyne
- Billie Burke as Lady Bareacres
- Nigel Bruce as Joseph Sedley
- Alan Mowbray as Rawdon Crawley
- G.P. Huntley as George Osborne
The film was noted more for its technical achievement than for its storytelling. While critics praised Miriam Hopkins’s lively and sharp performance—earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress—some found the narrative condensed and lacking the full scope of Thackeray’s novel. Nonetheless, Becky Sharp was a milestone in color cinematography and a significant moment in film history.
Fun Facts:
- The Technicolor innovation in Becky Sharp paved the way for later color epics like Gone with the Wind (1939).
- Becky Sharp was the first feature-length film to use the three-strip Technicolor process throughout, revolutionizing cinematic color.
- The film was adapted from Langdon Mitchell’s 1899 stage play, itself based on Vanity Fair.
- Miriam Hopkins had previously played Becky Sharp on Broadway in the 1928 revival of Mitchell’s play.
- Some original scenes were reshot late in production to take greater advantage of Technicolor’s capabilities.
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