Schiavo d'amore

It is unfortunate that the 1934 version of this film has become the precedent by which all following adaptations seemed to be judged. This version does not try to imitate the "classic" and is an entirely different animal (making up for many of the flaws in the original).

Whereas Bette Davis portrayed Mildred as an over-the-top shrew, Kim Novak gave her an almost childlike naivety. It is not that Mildred wants purposely to hurt men but rather that she simply does not know how to behave better. Novak's interpretation gives Mildred the much needed humanity that was absent in the first version. Since Mildred now has genuine moments of kindness, it is much easier to see how Philip (Laurence Harvey) becomes obsessed with her.

Harvey, however, is greatly miscast in this film. As a crippled young man who likes art and helping people through medicine, Philip has a great deal of sensitivity (as seen through Leslie Howard's performance in the original). But Harvey, the actor who relished in being unlikable, is completely unable to deliver this. He fared much better in grimy roles ("Walk on the Wild Side," "Darling") and so he is only convincing in the scenes where he yells and slaps Mildred. (Given the reports that Harvey and Novak loathed each other, it is easy to see why these scenes are the most convincing). He is terrible, however, at looking smitten.

Performances aside, this version is refreshingly modern. Rather than glaze over the seedier bits to appease the censors, you will actually hear words like `whore' and `syphilis.' The final scenes are quite touching too, thanks in part to Novak's humility (she truly looks decrepit towards the end). The score cascades a little too loud and often though in all the pivotal scenes and this version would have benefited greatly from a more realistic approach.

This is a must see if you are a fan of the story and Kim Novak. Somerset Maugham supposedly adored Novak's interpretation of Mildred and it truly is a refreshing take on Of Human Bondage.

In Paris, the clubfooted aspirant painter Philip Carey (Laurence Harvey) is advised by an acquaintance to give-up his artistic ambition since he would be a mediocre artist. Philip joins the medical school in London using his inheritance to pay schooling and to have a simple but comfortable life.

When he meets the waitress Mildred Rogers (Kim Novak) in a restaurant, the shy Philip has a crush on her but she rejects him. Philip stalks Mildred and dates her; however the easy woman scorns him. When Philip proposes Mildred, she tells him that she is going to marry her lover Mille, leaving the brokenhearted Philip obsessed for her. He tries to move on, dating the intellectual Norah Nesbitt (Siobhan McKenna) in an unrequited love. However, when Mildred returns alone and pregnant, Philip lodges her at home.

Sooner Mildred becomes lover of Philip's best friend Griffiths (Jack Hedley) and leaves Philip again. When Philip finds Mildred prostituting on the red light district, he brings Mildred and her baby to live with him. Mildred unsuccessfully tries to seduce Philip but he loathes her. Mildred feels humiliated and wrecks his apartment, and Philip quits the medical school. Meanwhile Philip befriends Thorpe Athelny (Roger Livesey) that introduces his daughter Sally Athelny (Nanette Newman) to him. But Philip is still haunted by his passion for Mildred.

"Of Human Bondage" is an unpleasant romance about unrequited love, betrayal and sexual obsession. I have never read the W. Somerset Maugham's novel but John Cromwell's version of 1934 is better than this 1964 version, with a better development of the whole romance. This 1964 version reduces the whole story to an unrequited romance between Philip Carey and Mildred Rogers and does not emphasize important aspects of the romance. But Kim Novak shines with her beauty and performance, and it is easy to understand why Philip Carey falls in love with Mildred. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Servidão Humana " ("Of Human Bondage")

Not-bad third version of W. Somerset Maugham's depressing story about a sluttish waitress in London and the sensitive future doctor who becomes obsessed with her. Ravaged by critics upon its release (and thought bannable for a time for Kim Novak's suggestive scenes), this remake isn't a classic, nor does it improve on the Bette Davis version, but it does have something. Novak is just fine; Laurence Harvey also good as the smitten medico. The biggest problem is the screenplay's faithfulness to Maugham's plot, which by 1964 standards was pretty creaky. Why couldn't they have updated it just a bit? For all the talk about this version being "too shocking", the movie disappoints by not shocking at all, by playing it too safe. A soap opera, to be sure, though a handsome and interesting one. Novak-diehards will love the film, and her. **1/2 from ****

I do not think this is a movie about love. It is a movie that compares and contrasts MANY human emotions that hold us in bondage - most notably, love and obsession. I pity people who think that what Philip (Harvey) feels for Mildred (Novak) is LOVE! However, of the 3 portrayals of Mildred in this Somerset Maugham tale, this one is the strongest. Maugham, himself, thought so. When you see Novak's Mildred, you will know why.

Bette Davis' performance in the original may have been groundbreaking, but neither the film nor her performance is great. Davis' performance leaves indelible impressions; it earns my respect and admiration. However, it is not very nuanced; she is nothing but a shrew. Also, she is simply not pretty enough to inspire Philip Carey's obsession with Mildred. The original film and the portrayal by Davis are classic not because they are great, but because they are groundbreaking.

For my money, both of the remakes are better movies. Eleanor Parker and Kim Novak both portray a Mildred who is prettier and less shrewish - and consequently more believable. Mildred becomes both more understandable and more pathetic. Also, because they are both prettier than Davis, obsession with either one of them is a great deal more conceivable.

Kim Novak's talent was almost as great as her beauty. She really has a chance to shine in this role. Her Mildred is easily the best portrayal. She delivers an incredibly nuanced performance that renders Mildred much more accessible and sympathetic and less despicable. She truly is human, and in bondage to her obsessions. Bette Davis' one-dimensional portrayal of Mildred absolute pales by comparison with Novak's.

Consequently, this film is also better, for providing a central character that is far more complex and human. Only through the Mildred portrayed with the beauty and complex humanity of Kim Novak does the character of Philip ever make any sense.

Regardless of what you may have heard about Kim Novak or this version of Somerset Maugham's story, give them a shot. I think you'll appreciate this unjustly maligned movie.

Kim Novak after leaving her long term contract at Columbia made "Boys Night Out" at MGM and then this fine version of the great classic novel. MGM filmed "Of Human Bondage" on location in Ireland first billed over British star Laurence Harvey assigning Henry Hathaway,a very well known but gruff, 'shoot em up' Western Director, to helm this film. Hathaway and Novak clashed from the beginning of the filming and Kim Novak walked off the film. MGM had to decide who was more important and soon Kim Novaki was back on the film but a new director assigned. This film had a lot of bad press during the filming due to the Novak-Hathaway feud, but seen today it is a very fine film with Kim Novak superb in the role of Mildred that made Bette Davis a superstar worldwide. In fact I feel Kim Novak is better in this role than Bette Davis was, less shrill, and Ms.Novak is particularly moving in the End of the film. Kim Novak was always regarded as a big box office star, but her work in review demands a more intelligent appraisal of her varied work from "Picnic" thru "Vertigo" to "Middle Of the Night," "Strangers When We Meet" this film and another film bashed when it debuted "Kiss Me Stupid". Walter Matthau before he died gave an Interview where he stated he learned more from Kim Novak than any other person in Hollywood on screen acting.