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Okay, the photo is a little color-treated here, but it was the only good one I could find.

The list of Hitchcock movies I need to see gets smaller and smaller, and now I've crossed off another movie. In one sense, I'm surprised I haven't heard more about this movie, because it stars Jospeh Cotten and Ingrid Bergman, who have both been in some of Hitchcock's best movies. In another sense, I can see how it compares with other movies of his and realize that it's a bit slow. But, even a slow Hitchcock movie can be well-made, and Under Capricorn is no exception.

The movie stars Michael Wilding, as well, and he is actually the protagonist. Set in 1831 in Australia, where the deported and reformed criminals of the world have gone and built civilized lives for themselves, Wilding plays Charles, a young Irish man who has come to start a new life there. He is not a criminal, but is cousin to the new governor, and sees potential for his future thanks to his familial connections. Soon after he arrives, he meets the wealthy and moody Sam Flusky (Cotten), falls into his good graces, and becomes a regular member of his household. Lady Flusky (Bergman) is an alcoholic, and is too sick to manage her household or appear in society, until Charles decides to help her (and of course, falls for her). As the dynamics between Charles and Lady Flusky (and hence Chalres and Sam) elevate, stories from the past resurface.

The first half of Under Capricorn moves at a very steady place, sometimes a little too slowly. It's all about the set up and character development, but not a lot actually happens. It isn't until the second hour that things start to move more quickly and more interestingly, but when they do, they pack a sincere emotional punch. I loved Bergman (despite her pink hat) and her character. Lady Flusky is so fragile and uncertain of herself, but her upbringing struggles to shine through, and I highly enjoyed the not unexpected yet still great plot involving the maid, played by Margaret Leighton.

I liked the setting of New South Wales in its earlier years. I don't think I've seen many movies set in an exiled colony, except perhaps Papillon, which is an entirely different movie. There's a social code in New South Wales: people who have served time are able to start a new life without being asked about why they were sent to Australia. The idea is an interesting one. I can't imagine starting up a new life in a place where everyone was once a convict, and there's no website to look up local offenders and find out which people around me are the most dangerous. Of course, in this case, the story is made for the big screen, and it even took me back to places I visited on our tour last fall, so it was very romanticized. Does anyone know of other movies with a similar setting? I think it would be so interesting.

At any rate, once things kick into gear, all of the actors are in top form, the writing comes to fruition, and the once-secret stories of why the Fluskies are in Australia come to light. The themes of crime, honor, and love all come together quite nicely, and what I thought was a quiet movie in the beginning turned out to be one that I would probably watch again. Props to Hitchcock for the nice shots in the beginning, when Charles first comes to the Flusky estate. Ha. Did I just say "Props to Hitchcock"?!