The Browning Version

The Browning Version (Criterion #294).
1951 The Rank Organisation & Janus Films.
Starring: Michael Redgrave, Jean Kent, Nigel Patrick, Brian Smith
Director: Anthony Asquith
Available from Amazon.

A film adaptation of Terence Rattigan's play of the same name, which was first performed in 1948.

Michael Redgrave is Andrew Crocker-Harris is an aging Classics teacher at a private school in Britain, who is forced to retire by his increasing ill health. As his career winds down, Crocker-Harris has to come to terms with his feelings that his entire life may be a failure, after years of scorn from students and colleagues alike, and no kind of thanks of any kind for all of the years he has taught. Not only is his job ending, so is his marriage to Millie (Kent), who is openly having an affair with Frank Hunter (Patrick), the school's chemistry teacher.

One student, though, actually doesn't openly despise Crocker-Harris. Taplow (Smith) gives the teacher a parting gift: Robert Browning's translation of the Agamemnon, with a Greek phrase he inscribed the gift with that translates as "God for afar looks graciously upon a gentle master". The teacher still maintains his stoic image, despite all that's going wrong for him, but he still grapples with remorse. This changes after Millie leaves him for good right before the graduation ceremonies. Crocker-Harris ultimately discards his prepared speech, and delivers a lengthy and emotional apology for having failed them as their teacher.

Recommended movie. This could very well change into a highly recommendation upon repeated viewings, though!