There's something magical about the characterisations in this biopic of the legendary 17th century Dutch painter. Not just Charles Laughton in the title role, but Elsa Lanchester as Hendrickje Stoffels and Gertrude Lawrence as Geertje Dirx - the women in his life - all add to the charm and create an effortless depth of personality for this film. Alexander Korda clearly had a rapport with his stars, and a creative vision that enabled this story to flow without resorting to it just being a chronology of his artist achievements. Of course it's all, largely, speculation - but it is an engaging look at not just how he lived his life (quite irresponsibly) but of just how hand-to-mouth many artists of the time lived and yet now - as it states in the prologue "no millionaire could ever fund the acquisition of his works". Geoffrey Toye is to be commended for his gentle, sympathetic accompaniment to this charismatic depiction of artistic greatness - flaws and all, and although Laughton does revert a bit to type at the end (à la Henry VIII from 1933) it's still a super film to watch.

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