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Kind Hearts and Coronets

  • 19491949
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
37K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood, Valerie Hobson, and Dennis Price in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer2:57
2 Videos
74 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Crime

A distant poor relative of the Duke D'Ascoyne plots to inherit the title by murdering the eight other heirs who stand ahead of him in the line of succession.A distant poor relative of the Duke D'Ascoyne plots to inherit the title by murdering the eight other heirs who stand ahead of him in the line of succession.A distant poor relative of the Duke D'Ascoyne plots to inherit the title by murdering the eight other heirs who stand ahead of him in the line of succession.

IMDb RATING
8.0/10
37K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Hamer
  • Writers
    • Roy Horniman(novel)
    • Robert Hamer(screenplay)
    • John Dighton(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Dennis Price
    • Alec Guinness
    • Valerie Hobson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Hamer
  • Writers
    • Roy Horniman(novel)
    • Robert Hamer(screenplay)
    • John Dighton(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Dennis Price
    • Alec Guinness
    • Valerie Hobson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 171User reviews
    • 105Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 4 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos2

    Kind Hearts and Coronets
    Trailer 2:57
    Kind Hearts and Coronets
    Kind Hearts and Coronets - Restoration Trailer
    Trailer 1:31
    Kind Hearts and Coronets - Restoration Trailer

    Photos74

    Alec Guinness in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Joan Greenwood and Dennis Price in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Alec Guinness, Dennis Price, and Anne Valery in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Alec Guinness, Valerie Hobson, and Dennis Price in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Alec Guinness in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Alec Guinness in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Dennis Price in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Joan Greenwood in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
    Dennis Price in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dennis Price
    Dennis Price
    • Louisas Louis
    Alec Guinness
    Alec Guinness
    • The D'Ascoyne Family: The Dukeas The D'Ascoyne Family: The Duke…
    Valerie Hobson
    Valerie Hobson
    • Edithas Edith
    Joan Greenwood
    Joan Greenwood
    • Sibellaas Sibella
    Audrey Fildes
    Audrey Fildes
    • Mamaas Mama
    Miles Malleson
    Miles Malleson
    • The Hangmanas The Hangman
    Clive Morton
    Clive Morton
    • The Prison Governoras The Prison Governor
    John Penrose
    John Penrose
    • Lionelas Lionel
    Cecil Ramage
    Cecil Ramage
    • Crown Counselas Crown Counsel
    Hugh Griffith
    Hugh Griffith
    • Lord High Stewardas Lord High Steward
    John Salew
    • Mr. Perkinsas Mr. Perkins
    Eric Messiter
    Eric Messiter
    • Burgoyneas Burgoyne
    Lyn Evans
    • The Farmeras The Farmer
    Barbara Leake
    Barbara Leake
    • The Schoolmistressas The Schoolmistress
    Peggy Ann Clifford
    • Maudas Maud
    Anne Valery
    • The Girl in the Puntas The Girl in the Punt
    Arthur Lowe
    Arthur Lowe
    • The Reporteras The Reporter
    Stanley Beard
    • Warderas Warder
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Hamer
    • Writers
      • Roy Horniman(novel)
      • Robert Hamer(screenplay)
      • John Dighton(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In prison awaiting execution the next morning, Louis, the 10th Duke of Chalfont, puts down on paper the events that led him to his current situation. His mother has been banished from her family, the D'Ascoynes, after she married Louis' father, who was considered far beneath her. After her death, the D'Ascoynes refused permission for her to be buried in the family crypt. Louis then plots his revenge, and kills all those ahead of him in the succession until he becomes the Duke. Along the way, he becomes involved with the married Sibelia who, when spurned, makes sure he ends up in prison. The day before his execution, Sibelia recants her testimony, saving him not only from the gallows, but also sets him free. Once outside the prison however, he realizes he's forgotten one little thing. —garykmcd
    • actor playing multiple roles
    • great britain
    • prison
    • murder
    • jealousy
    • 207 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • He chopped down the family tree...
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Crime
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sir Alec Guinness nearly drowned in the scene where the Admiral goes down with his sinking ship. Guinness was held down by wires whilst the set filled up with water. Once the scene was wrapped, the crew started to leave, until one technician suddenly realized that they had forgotten to release Sir Alec from the wires holding him underwater. He immediately dove into the waters with some wire-cutters and freed Guinness. Fortunately for all concerned, Guinness took great pride in his ability to hold his breath for long periods of time.
    • Goofs
      The first murder that Louis Mazzini commits involves him swimming fully dressed underwater to release a boat from its moorings. In spite of having brought no change of clothes or even a towel, he is shown shortly after committing the murder paddling down the river with his clothes bone-dry.
    • Quotes

      Sibella: [sobs] Oh Louis! I don't want to marry Lionel!

      Louis Mazzini: Why not?

      Sibella: He's so dull.

      Louis Mazzini: I must admit he exhibits the most extraordinary capacity for middle age that I've ever encountered in a young man of twenty-four.

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits list photos of the 4 leading actors with their character names; in the case of Alec Guinness, 8 photos of the 8 characters he plays are shown, along with the one character name of "The D'Ascoyne Family." In the end credits, the 8 character names are listed for him.
    • Alternate versions
      Was available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Featured in Film Profile: Michael Balcon (1961)
    • Soundtracks
      The Aria is
      Il mio tesoro intanto"

      from Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as Mozart)

      Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte (uncredited)

      The music is played by The Philharmonia Orchestra

      Conducted by Ernest Irving

      Sung by an unidentified soloist

    User reviews171

    Review
    Top review
    eight Guinnesses for the price of one
    "Kind Hearts and Coronets" is really an essay in acting from one of Britain's greatest, Sir Alec Guinness, and what better way to remember him than the film which gave him eight roles to play? True, one or two are barely given time to register before Dennis Price dispatches them (Lady Agatha would have been interesting as a fully rounded character), but those which are developed - Henry, the photography enthusiast in particular, are cleverly played and memorable. Price also does well in his role. The ladies - Joan Greenwood and Valerie Hobson - are excellent. The great strength of this film is in its black humour, and of course in its delicious twist ending. I can't bear to think of it remade with a 2000's gloss.
    helpful•40
    7
    • didi-5
    • Jun 23, 2003

    FAQ4

    • Is "Kind Hearts and Coronets" based on a novel?
    • What is the title "Kind Hearts and Coronets" supposed to mean?
    • Who are Alec Guinness's eight characters, and how do they die?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 14, 1950 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Adel verpflichtet
    • Filming locations
      • Leeds Castle, Kent, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Ealing Studios
      • Michael Balcon Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $35,948
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,004
      • Dec 1, 2019
    • Gross worldwide
      • $145,583
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood, Valerie Hobson, and Dennis Price in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
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