'The End of the Affair' (1955) Movie of the Book by Graham Greene

'The End of the Affair' (1955) is a British romantic drama film directed by Edward Dmytryk, adapted from Graham Greene’s 1951 novel of the same name. The film stars Deborah Kerr as Sarah Miles, Van Johnson as Maurice Bendrix, and Peter Cushing as Henry Miles. It explores themes of love, jealousy, faith, and betrayal, staying close to Greene’s introspective and morally complex narrative.

Plot Summary: Set in World War II-era London, the story revolves around a passionate and doomed love affair between Maurice Bendrix, a cynical novelist, and Sarah Miles, the beautiful but unhappy wife of a civil servant, Henry Miles.

Maurice and Sarah’s relationship begins as an intense secret affair, but it ends abruptly without explanation. Two years later, Maurice’s lingering obsession with Sarah leads him to hire a private detective, Parkis, to uncover why she left him. Through the investigation, Maurice discovers that Sarah broke off their relationship after making a secret vow to God—if Maurice survived a bomb blast during the Blitz, she would end the affair as an act of faith.

As Maurice learns the truth, the film delves into themes of spiritual conflict and sacrificial love. Sarah, torn between her love for Maurice and her religious promise, is caught in a painful moral struggle. The story takes a tragic turn when Sarah falls seriously ill, reinforcing the themes of fate, faith, and the painful consequences of human desire.

Themes
Love and Jealousy: Maurice’s obsessive love for Sarah is marked by jealousy and a deep need for answers.

Faith and Doubt: The film explores Sarah’s religious transformation and her inner turmoil between spiritual duty and romantic passion.

Moral Sacrifice: Sarah’s decision to honor her vow reflects Greene’s interest in the complexities of human conscience and divine intervention.

Differences from the Novel: While the film captures the central love triangle and spiritual themes, it softens some of Greene’s darker religious undertones and emphasizes the romantic melodrama over the novel’s deep existential questions.

Critical Reception: The 1955 adaptation received mixed reviews. While praised for Deborah Kerr’s nuanced performance and Dmytryk’s atmospheric direction, some critics felt it lacked the emotional and theological depth of Greene’s novel. It remains a notable adaptation for its faithful portrayal of wartime London and the tension between love and faith.