Stupid me, I was not anticipating her death and - in that way - joining up with Captain Gregg. I kept thinking that the Captain would come back. Alternatively, I thought that she would just keep doing her daily walks and living her lonely life.
shareShe had lived a long life in the end. And this is a great love story. Two people connected between worlds by love, so I had hoped that the lovers would be reunited.
If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world
The only downer regarding the ending was that Lucy snapped at Martha and hurt her feelings....however, had I been Lucy, I would probably have snapped at her long before that. Martha really WAS bossy--holy smokes!
shareThe original GAMM movie script does have her apologize... as she does in the book. Sadly, it got cut. Most unfair. It is the only thing about the movie that I don't like.
How sad, that you were not born in my time, nor I, in yours.
ghost fan:
Lucia (Lucy) was in pain from her impending heart attack, (MI). That is what made her snap as she did criticizing her doctor.
"A stitch in time, saves your embarrassment." (RIP Ms. Penny LoBello)
You have a good point, but I still think it is sad that she died before making up with Martha, as she did in the book.
How sad, that you were not born in my time, nor I, in yours.
My wife (who is never wrong) and I (I am wrong once in a while) both would swear we saw an ending where the voice of Capt. Gregg calls to Lucy to call Martha back and apologize, which she does, before she drops the milk and dies. Did we imagine that? Or has that ever been shown?
shareNo.... it never made it to the final print. It was in the book... and it was in the original script, but never in the movie. I have it on dvd... no calling her back, sadly.
How sad, that you were not born in my time, nor I, in yours.
I thought I saw that same ending decades ago. Maybe I imagined it .
shareI always thought it was unfortunate that Lucy and Martha's last exchange was unpleasant with Martha being visibly upset. I always wish there was some way that Lucy could have made it up to her before walking off with Captain Gregg.
shareBut the point of Lucy not getting to "make up" to Martha is that when our time comes, we shall all leave certain things unsaid and undone.
Most great films deserve a more appreciative audience than they get.
Good take here, Scope. I think you are right.
As for the ending in general, count me as one who thought it was great. I did not really anticipate it, either, but it really worked.
This is one of the two film endings to which I always refer people who are confused about what happened to Old Rose at the end of James Cameron's TITANIC - The other film is SOMEWHERE IN TIME. This usually ends their confusion, as these are pretty much where he got his ending from.
In my case, self-absorption is completely justified.
@Harold.
I had to think about you response for a while. Of course, Rose reunites with Jack just as Lucy reunites with the Captain.
When THE GHOST AND MRS MUIR came out on DVD, I must've watched that final scene a dozen times the first week - I got to be like Pavlov's dog, didn't even need the rest of the movie preceding it to make me boo-hoo.
In my case, self-absorption is completely justified.
In fact, MY tears begin even earlier -- during the kitchen conversation between Mrs. Muir and the adult Anna over the Captain.
When I showed this movie to my sister years ago, she thought it was excellent. Since then, though, I was disappointed at her telling me she could never watch it again: She finds it too sad when that glass of milk drops from Lucy's hand.
Most great films deserve a more appreciative audience than they get.
I always choke up because the ending is so well acted and photographed and the score is perfect. I know they are going to be together for eternity now. It's just beautiful.
"Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government."
-Dennis
The Bernard Hermann score is at least half of the beauty of this film. His music is simply exquisite....he was one of the best ever, and he scored films all the way up to the late 1970's.
There was a reason why the best directors--Welles, Robert Wise, Hitchcock, Mankiewicz, Scorsese, etc.--always wanted Hermann to write the music to their films.
I react even sooner - at Captain Gregg's farewell speech to Lucy: when he says, while fading away "What we've missed, Lucia. What we've both missed."
Rex Harrison is so completely committed to that whole scene, I find it just wrenching.
Yessssss *sigh*
I get chills just thinking about that scene. He plays it so beautifully, so heartbreakingly tender and remorseful.
I felt the same way, I'm usually pretty good at predicting the endings but this one weirdly surprised me. Don't know why I wasn't expecting that. It was beautiful though.
shareMovie girl: I first saw this on TV when I was about 10 or 11 in the 60's. I really hoped the captain would come back too! But I love how it did end, but too bad Lucy did not have a chance to patch up her argument with Martha.
Movie girl: I first saw this on TV when I was about 10 or 11 in the 60's. I really hoped the captain would come back too! But I love how it did end, but too bad Lucy did not have a chance to patch up her argument with Martha.
Very similar ending to the 1939 book (one of my favorites) Tryst by Elswyth Thane. I wish there were more romance movies like this. This movie proves love is more than kissing and sex.
shareMovie girl: So true! I loved watching movies like this as a kid on TV. Too bad all that has lessened over the years. Romance is the most important thing, I think. This movie does prove a lot about real love! (Sadly, since the late 60's and 70's the censorship was lessened in the films and some people were glad, but not me who loved those old movies of the 30's and 40's. Hand in band the romance lessened, sadly. Today TCM helps with showing our great films.
shareMovie girl: The book was very good too! I read it long ago. The film is superb. Just had to rewatch the other day.
shareSomething to watch for: Not once in the entire film do the lead characters even touch each other, except at the end of the film. Imagine that, a love story where the two main characters never even kiss.
Her ghost called to Martha as she went up the stairs.
share