Blithe Spirit
Seen it?1945 | 96 min | Comedy, Fantasy
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (78% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and fantasy fans. If you loved Beetlejuice, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 36 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1945: an older pace and style.
While holding a séance for skeptical novelist Charles Condomine, self-proclaimed 'spiritualist medium' Madame Arcati inadvertently summons the spirit of his deceased first wife Elvira, leading to an increasingly complex love triangle with Ruth, his current wife of five years.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
78% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Oscar: Best Special Effects.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 69K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by David Lean
- Rex HarrisonCharles Condomine
- Constance CummingsRuth Condomine
- Kay HammondElvira Condomine
- Margaret RutherfordMadame Arcati
- Hugh WakefieldDr. George Bradman
- Joyce CareyViolet Bradman
- Jacqueline ClarkeEdith
- Marie AultCook (uncredited)
- Johnnie SchofieldR.A.C. Man Directing Traffic (uncredited)
- Noël CowardNarrator (uncredited)