Search - Since You Went Away on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Adult Situations Movie Release: 1944 DVD Release: 10/19/2004 Format: DVD - Black and White - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 57 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 10 Genres: Drama, War Drama, Family Drama

David O. Selznick's first production since 1940's Rebecca, Since You Went Away, based on Margaret Buell Wilder's bestselling novel, is a long but rewarding paean to the World War 2 "home front". Claudette Colbert plays the wife of a businessman who, though well past draft age, volunteered to serve his country as an officer (though the husband is never seen, he is "played"-via a photograph-by Neil Hamilton). Fighting back her own fears and anxieties, Colbert does her best to maintain a normal, stable household for the sake of her growing daughters Jennifer Jones and Shirley Temple. She is offered moral support by cynical-but-kindly boarder Monty Woolley, by maid Hattie McDaniel (who willing foregoes her salary "for the duration") and by Navy man and friend-of-the-family Joseph Cotten, whose relationship with Claudette remains staunchly platonic. The harsh realities of war hit home several times throughout the film, first when it seems as though Colbert's husband is missing in action, and later when Jennifer's young boyfriend, GI Robert Walker, is killed in combat. From the vantage point of the 1990s, it is easy to see why Since You Went Away scored with its wartime audiences. Though the leading characters are slightly more financially secure than most of the moviegoers of 1944, the various vignettes presented throughout-complaints about rationing and priorities, shoulder-to-shoulder sacrifices, the weekly escape to the local movie house, tender partings, joyous reunions, the returning wounded, the dreaded wire from the war department-all had the ring of truth and topicality. Even today, the film's emotional highlights, particularly the much-imitated farewell scene at the railroad station, are sufficient to bring tears to the eyes of the most jaded viewer. Enhancing the film's heartstring tugging tenfold is Max Steiner's Oscar-winning musical score. If you can remain objective while watching Since You Went Away (it isn't easy), see if you can spot Ruth Roman, Guy Madison and John Derek, making their screen debuts in microscopic roles ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Claudette Colbert - Anne Hilton
Jennifer Jones - Jane Hilton
Joseph Cotten - Lt. Tony Willett
Shirley Temple - Bridget "Brig" Hilton
Agnes Moorehead - Emily Hawkins
Monty Woolley - Col. Smollett

David O. Selznick's epic wartime soap opera drama Since You Went Away (1944), directed by John Cromwell, was promised on laserdisc in the late '80s and was then canceled. And early in the DVD era of the late '90s, it was promised from Anchor Bay entertainment -- and was again canceled. So it was a pleasant surprise when MGM/UA, which acquired the Selznick library in 2003, promised us Since You Went Away and actually delivered it in October 2004, just in time for its 60th anniversary. The 177-minute movie is well mastered here in a rich, full-screen (1.33:1) image that looks slightly better than the best television showings that the movie received in the '60s and '70s (it was a holiday favorite for decades on TV, not only because its subject matter was endearing to audiences who remembered the war, but its nearly three-hour running time [not counting commercials] made it beloved to television station programmers who could cover a whole afternoon's airtime by scheduling it). It was also a favorite of Jennifer Jones fans. Jones was allowed to achieve womanhood in this film, and her first appearance onscreen, just seconds short of ten minutes into the movie, is the visual embodiment of spirited girlhood on the edge of marriageability. On the big screen, it was enough to stop the hearts (for one beat) of any male under the age of 85, and it's pretty impressive here, too, even if it is reduced in size and scope. And the glittering black-and-white image generally looks as good as any movie of its vintage issued to date on DVD. The 177-minute movie has been given a paltry 16 chapters, but otherwise is pretty well treated with optional English, French, and Spanish subtitles. The volume level is pitched just right with excellent fidelity, and the movie even includes the full five-minute overture, which had disappeared from theatrical showings and was never used in television presentations. The disc opens automatically to a simple, easy-to-use menu offering "play," "chapter selection," and "Subtitle" options. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide