Uncle Silas

Uncle Silas - 1947 | 98mins | Drama | B&W

The Production Team

Director: Charles Frank.
Producer: Laurence Irving and Josef Somlo.
Script: Ben Travers. (from the novel by Sheridan Le Fanu)
Cinematography: Robert Krasker.
Editing: Ralph Kemplen.
Production Design: Laurence Irving
Costume Design: Elizabeth Haffenden.
Sound Department: John Cook, Desmond Dew and Kenneth Heeley-Ray.
Original Music: Alan Rawsthorne.

The Cast

Jean Simmons - Caroline Ruthyn
Katina Paxinou - Madame de la Rougierre
Derrick De Marney - Uncle Silas
Derek Bond - Lord Richard Ilbury
Sophie Stewart - Lady Monica Waring
Esmond Knight - Dr. Bryerly
Reginald Tate - Austin Ruthyn
Manning Whiley - Dudley Ruthyn
Marjorie Rhodes - Mrs. Rusk
John Laurie - Giles

Plot Synopsis

Victorian gothic melodrama based on the novel by Sheridan Le Fanu from a screenplay adapted by Aldwych farceur Ben Travers. This creepy chiller is saved from the doldrums by Robert Krasker’s atmospheric cinematography, and fine performances from the ensemble cast. The BBC later filmed the story for television in 1987.

In 1845, 17-year-old Caroline (Jean Simmons) is nursing her dying father. He has enough faith in the reform of his reprobate brother, Silas (Derrick de Marney), suspected but in the clear of murder, to place her under his wing after his death. The hitherto naïve heroine soon learns that scheming Uncle Silas is planning to kill her in order to get his hands on the family fortune, aided by the equally corrupt governess Madame de la Rougierre With debt collectors circling overhead, Silas, locks Caroline in a room and makes plans for her murder. Dr. Bryerly (Esmond Knight) grows to distrust Silas and believes the correspondence sent in Caroline’s name to be forged. Young Tom (Robin Netscher) manages to raise warning of Caroline’s impending peril and Silas’ plot is foiled in the nick of time.