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Poster for Dark Victory

Dark Victory

Seen it?

1939 | 104 min | Drama, Romance

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (85% 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 romantics. If you loved The Theory of Everything or The Fault in Our Stars, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 44 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1939: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Socialite Judith Traherne lives a lavish but emotionally empty life. Riding horses is one of her few joys, and her stable master is secretly in love with her. Told she has a brain tumor by her doctor, Frederick Steele, Judith becomes distraught. After she decides to have surgery to remove the tumor, Judith realizes she is in love with Dr. Steele, but more troubling medical news may sabotage her new relationship, and her second chance at life.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    85% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.0 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 3 Oscars.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 81K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Edmund Goulding

  • Bette DavisJudith Traherne
  • George BrentDr. Frederick Steele
  • Humphrey BogartMichael O'Leary
  • Geraldine FitzgeraldAnn King
  • Ronald ReaganAlec
  • Henry TraversDr. Parsons
  • Cora WitherspoonCarrie
  • Dorothy PetersonMiss Wainwright
  • Virginia BrissacMartha
  • Charles RichmanColonel Mantle