Libel (1959)

Libel - 1959

Our next film is 1959's "Libel", the story of an aristocratic British war veteran whose lack of memory about some of the war years results in a fight for his family home, his wife, and his good name.

The film's cast includes Dirk Bogarde, Olivia de Havilland, Paul Massie, Robert Morley, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Anthony Dawson, Richard Wattis, and Sebastian Saville.

In England, a television program that takes viewers on historical tours of some famous houses is airing.  The current segment takes place at Ingworth House, the home of Sir Mark Loddon.

A Canadian pilot named Jeffrey Buckenham who served with Sir Mark in World War II is drawn to the television when he hears Mark's name and sees him being interviewed.  During the course of the program, Jeffrey becomes convinced that Sir Mark is actually Frank Wellney, who served with both Mark and Jeffrey and bore an almost twin-like appearance to Mark.

Sir Mark and his wife Margaret show viewers through the house.  When the host asks some specific questions about an earlier period in Mark's life, he is unable to answer them, further strengthening Jeffrey's belief that he is not Mark.

And Mark, it turns out, is suffering from a sort of PTSD.  He paces the house late at night, shouting at shadows in mirrors, and upsetting his wife.

Jeffrey comes to see Mark.  Mark initially is glad to see him, but Jeffrey uses the occasion to add proof to the fact that Mark is not Mark, but Frank.  "Mark" has a part of a missing index finger just like Frank.

Jeffrey even gets one of Mark's distant cousins (who would be the baronet if Mark had not come back from the war) to back up his claim and support him in a court case.

Mark's wife Margaret is astonished when she reads the report in the newspaper.  She's not sure what to believe.  She confronts Mark, but he tells her that he is exactly who he's said he was all along.

A court case is commenced.  Both sides offering compelling arguments as to Mark's identity.

Mark's inability to answer fully or fill in details causes Margaret to doubt her husband.

During the course of the trial, the relationship between Mark and Frank is examined.  We learn that Frank is a particularly nasty character.  He opens Mark's letters and reads them before handing them over to Mark.

When Margaret is put on the stand to testify on behalf of her husband, the amount of evidence against him makes her say that he is not Sir Mark Loddon, to the general astonishment of the crowd and Mark himself.

When Mark goes to Margaret later that night, she is cold towards him and sends him off into the night to do some deep thinking.

As he walks the streets of London, Mark unlocks parts of his memory that were deeply buried.  The next day, he is able to provide evidence which proves conclusively that he is who he says he is.

Margaret rushes to him.  Mark takes her in his arms and they embrace before walking out of the courtroom hand in hand.

Cast rundown:

   Dirk Bogarde.....................................Sir Mark Loddon/Frank Wellney

   Olivia de Havilland..............................Lady Margaret Loddon

   Paul Massie........................................Jeffrey Buckenham

   Robert Morley.....................................Sir Wilfred

   Wilfrid Hyde-White..............................Hubert Foxley

   Anthony Dawson.................................Gerald Loddon

   Richard Wattis....................................The Judge

   Sebastian Saville.................................Michael Loddon

And that's it for Libel.  Ingworth House, the home of Sir Mark Loddon, is actually Longleat. It is the home of Ceawlin Thynn, Marquess of Bath.  The house is famous for its many sculpted mazes and its very own drive-through safari park.

As always, if you wish to leave a comment, please remember our posting rules.