That Hamilton Woman

About That Hamilton Woman

'That Hamilton Woman', also known as 'Lady Hamilton' and released in 1941, is a historical drama film directed by Alexander Korda. The film centers around the real-life love affair between Emma, Lady Hamilton, and Admiral Horatio Nelson.

The story starts with Emma Lynton who lives in poverty in England, she then becomes the mistress of Charles Greville. Charles introduces Emma to his uncle Sir William Hamilton, she soon becomes his wife. Emma's beauty attracts the interest of the heroic naval officer Horatio Nelson, they start an affair which leads to high-stakes political and familial turmoil.

Making / Production

This movie was directed by Alexander Korda and was produced by London Film Productions. The screenplay was written by Walter Reisch and R.C. Sherriff. The cinematography is credited to Rudolph Mate and Franz Planer.

Actors

• Vivien Leigh (Emma, Lady Hamilton): Vivien Leigh played Emma with an alluring charm, capturing her transformation from a naive girl into a woman caught up in a scandalous affair.
• Laurence Olivier (Admiral Horatio Nelson): Laurence delivers an impactful performance as Admiral Nelson, portraying his heroism and emotional vulnerability.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This film is the third of three films that real-life couple Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier made together.
• The film was a major propaganda piece in Britain during World War II, aiming to boost morale during the London Blitz.

Quotes

• "Emma, you are very beautiful." - Admiral Horatio Nelson
• "I am a woman. I am not a piece of furniture." - Emma, Lady Hamilton

Music, Soundtrack

• The score was composed by Miklós Rózsa, whose symphonic style evocatively captured the emotions of the film.
• The soundtrack, while not released separately, is memorable for its rich and dramatic orchestration, particularly the love theme.