Brief Encounter

Unremarkable and unmemorable remake of an old, celebrated English film. Although it may be overly maligned as a total disaster (which it is not), it never builds any tension and betrays its TV origins. Richard Burton sleepwalks through his role, and Sophia Loren's closed (in this movie) face doesn't display much passion, either. (**)

29 years after the first film version of Brief Encounter was made and made stars of Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson this television version with Richard Burton and Sophia Loren was done for British television. My same criticism stands, I would love to have seen Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence do Coward's original one act play for the screen.

Both versions are considerably expanded from Coward's stage play. But the 1945 version had a real sense of urgency about it. It was set in wartime where such things if not approved of, at least expected and somewhat tolerated. Updating the play was a mistake, both Loren and Burton in this setting treat their situation as more of an inconvenience.

Of course bringing it back to 1945 would have been impossible because British soldiers just did not bring back brides from the recent enemy's country and no way could Sophia Loren have played the part. And she had to because her husband Carlo Ponti was the producer.

This Brief Encounter is all right, but if you don't encounter it you won't miss all that much.

Brief Encounter is a romantic drama movie directed by Alan Bridges and stars Late Richard Burton and Sophia Loren.

The movie was a remake of 1945 classic with the same name.

The movie could've been a decent romantic movie had the movie been decently executed with a decent pace but due to slow pace the movie falls flatly.

The acting was good in fact the acting was superb, Sophia Loren was charming and Late Burton was great. Screenplay was very slow and is the main reason for the debacle of the movie. Climax was average.

Overall if you have a lots of patience then this is the movie for you otherwise please ignore.

This movie reminded me of Falling in Love, starring Meryl Streep and Robert DeNiro in 1984, since both plots involve two married people falling in love when they meet during their daily train ride to work. In both movies, the affair is built on companionship rather than sex, but when I looked it up to find out if Falling in Love was a remake of Brief Encounter, the director and screenwriter specifically stated that their film wasn't a remake. I suppose in Hollywood, you can get away with something like that, but in my opinion, the original deserved a nod and credit as such. Also, this version is itself a remake of the 1945 Brief Encounter, but at least it gives credit to the Noel Coward play both films were based on.

Brief Encounter stars Richard Burton and Sophia Loren, but for some unknown reason, there isn't much chemistry between the two. And it's Sophia Loren—are we really supposed to believe Richard Burton is only interested in her personality? He's awkward and anxious at best, and she seems utterly disinterested in him, so the overall story doesn't really work. I'd recommend watching the 1984 version instead; it's quite cute.

Lew Grade strikes again as he brings star power together for this television remake of David Lean's classic.

This modern updating has Dr Alec Harvey (Richard Burton) meeting housewife Anna Jesson (Sophia Loren) after she gets some grit in her eye.

Both are trapped in mundane marriages, just pottering along. Harvey and Jesson find a spark, maybe destined to be soulmates.

As Anna works part time at a Citizens Advice Bureau. They start to regularly meet then both go in opposite directions on the train.

Is their growing relationship enough for both of them to walk out on their respective families.

Loren is too glamorous to be an ordinary housewife. Burton at least relishes a chance to be gentle and romantic.

The movie does not work, it is too flat and dull. I think the Lean version was of its time and works in that respect.