Dulcima – 1971 | 98 mins | Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Adaptation of H.E. Bates 1953 novella that remains fairly true to the original story. Produced by Bryan Forbes EMI Films and written and directed by Frank Nesbitt, the deceptively powerful tale, described by Bates as a tragedy of the underdeveloped, is slow-paced but builds to a sordid and tragic climax.

Set in rural England on a rundown Gloucestershire farm. Miserly and frisky farmer, Mr Parker (John Mills), falls under the spell of a pitiful gold-digger who comes to work for him. Dulcima Gaskain (Carol White) is tired of being used as a skivvy by her father George (Bernard Lee) and is determined to escape her squalid upbringing, so begins working as a housekeeper for the unkempt Parker.

Parker invites Dulcima to move in, and she begins manipulating the old widower in all ways possible by the use of a non-existent boyfriend named Albert. The pair becomes lovers and Parker proposes marriage, but a handsome young gamekeeper (Stuart Wilson) has caught the eye of Dulcima. Parker’s jealousy combined with Dulcima’s deceitfulness ultimately leads to tragedy.