Biography
Filmography
..Things Are Looking Up
..The Village Squire
..Gentleman's   
  Agreement
..Look Up and Laugh
..Fire Over England
..Dark Journey
..Storm in a Teacup
..Twenty-One Days
..A Yank at Oxford
..Sidewalks of London
..Gone With the Wind
..Waterloo Bridge
..That Hamilton Woman
..Caesar and Cleopatra
..Anna Karenina
..A Streetcar Named 
  Desire
..The Deep Blue Sea
..The Roman
  Spring of Mrs. Stone
..Ship of Fools
Stage
Appearances
Photo Gallery 1
Photo Gallery 2
etc.

1941

a.k.a.
“Lady Hamilton”

Synopsis:
A drawn and haggard woman, Lady Hamilton, is thrown into prison.  In jail, she begins to discuss her life with a street girl.  The film flashes back, and Lady Hamilton’s voice can be heard doing the narration.  As Emma Hart, she arrives at the Court of Naples, in 1786, and hopes marriage to the nephew of the British ambassador, Sir William Hamilton, will soon take place.  The nephew, her former lover, has no intention of marrying Emma.  As a result, she first becomes Sir William’s mistress, and then, his wife.  In her seven years at court, Emma has made herself enormously like by all.  Coming to Naples with his ships is Lord Nelson, who wishes to request safe harbor and obtain supplies for his vessels.  Sir William and Lord Nelson try to present their predicament to the King of Naples.  When Emma makes Lord Nelson’s acquaintance, she goes and asks the Queen of Naples for her assistance, and he gets what he needs.  During his stay in Naples, Lord Nelson and Emma become close.  He leaves for Egypt, and defeats Napoleon.  On his return, it is evident Lord Nelson has paid a large personal price, having lost an arm and an eye in the conflict.  Recovering from his injuries under Emma’s watchful care, the two fall in love.  Though Sir William knows about their romance, he, nonetheless recognizes the naval hero’s value to his country.  Word of their affair reaches England, and gossip is rampant when Lord Nelson goes home.  After revolution overthrows the Neapolitan throne, he once again returns to England, this time accompanied by Emma, now pregnant with his child.  At this point, Lord Nelson confronts his wife, Lady Nelson, and asks for a divorce.  His wife answers that for the rest of her life she will always be married to him.  As far as Emma’s husband is concerned, Sir William, in poor health, maintains friendly ties with both his wife and Lord Nelson, the lovers now maintaining a home together.  When war looms once again and with fighting going badly, Emma encourages him to rejoin his fleet, even though this separation costs her happiness.  Meeting Napoleon once again, Lord nelson has been mortally wounded.  News of his demise comes to Emma, after Captain Hardy arrives at her country residence.  Her hopes his safe return and a reunion are now gone forever.  His death marks the beginning of her decline.  At the close of the movie, Emma, whose beauty has faded away, finishes telling her story.

Notes:
Three other motion pictures have addressed the subject of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton: “Nelson” (1927); one considered historically accurate, “The Nelson Affair” (1973); and the explicit 1968 German-French film “Lady Hamilton.”

Cast:

Directed By:
Alexander Korda  

Writing Credits:
Walter Reisch
R.C. Sherriff 

Links:
IMDB Information Page