Sin of Esther Waters

I waited up until 2:00 am to see this film back in 1964. Very well done and I was surprised with all the attention paid to "Upstairs;Downstairs" that this film has not made it to video.

The period detail is outstanding and Dirk Borgarde gives a very good performance as does Kathleen Ryan. I have read that Dirk's younger brother played his "son" in this film. By all means, if you have a chance to view this, do so.

Kathleen Ryan is the poor and innocent young maid who gets the normal treatment of a lady and ends up down to her neck in trouble, and she is illiterate at that, but you can't really dislike him since he plays it so well, and he honestly makes an effort. It all ends up in the great Derby, the festivity crowd scenes are the treat of the film, and they are several, including the great rural party in the beginning. It's a Dickensian story convincing enough in its realism of the 1870s to 80s including a long dying scene, of which Dirk Bogarde was such an expert and made so many of, usually coughing to death, while Kathleen Ryan in spite of her hardships actually gets along quite well, not actually needing the sympathetic support of Cyril Cusack as the would be catcher in the rye. It's a lovely film of a serving maiden's tale and particularly a film for horse lovers - the final race is a killer.

For me, the strength of this film is in the accuracy of the racing details, the costumes and the culture of the time. The racing scenes, shot on Epsom Downs recreate the Derby's of 1881 and 1885, and have been thoroughly researched, even the jockeys used for Fred Archer and Fred Webb show an amazing likeness. Also, the scenes in the streets, on the racecourse and in the public house are totally believable.

This is a film made by those who love and cherish the subject. Although to my knowledge, having worked at Racing Post for many years and, written the history of the Derby, very few people today know of the this film. Strangely, a few years ago, I awoke at 4 am, unable to sleep, to find the film just starting and have never seen it since! However, this film has much to offer - a Victorian romance, the struggle of conscious, excitement and, a ripping gambling yarn.

Michael Church.

Remembered today solely for containing Dirk Bogarde's first lead (actually second billed to Kathleen Ryan). This screen version of George Moore's socially concerned 1894 novel starts well with a wonderful opening pan across the Wessex countryside, like most postwar British films looks lovely and has an interesting supporting cast (including Cyril Cusack, Ivor Barnard and a young Pauline Jameson). But one's attention starts to wander as the heroine's fortunes eventually pick up...

Another little triumph for the marvellous 'Talking Pictures TV', this was a complete revelation. One of the most effectively set and shot costume dramas and a tour de force of a performance from a young Dirk Bogarde (his first starring role) and ably supported by Kathleen Ryan. The racing scenes are absolutely first-rate - as the authority, Michael Church, says above) with Derby Day as well evoked as I've ever seen it. Even a nod to Frith's 'Derby Day'. Made me want to read the novel. What a treat on a Saturday afternoon!