The Seventh Veil facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Seventh Veil
The Seventh Veil film poster
Directed by	Compton Bennett
Produced by	Sydney Box
Written by	Sydney Box Muriel Box
Starring	James Mason Ann Todd
Music by	Benjamin Frankel
Cinematography	Reginald Wyer
Editing by	Gordon Hales
Distributed by	General Film Distributors (UK) Universal Pictures (US)
Release date(s)	18 October 1945 (UK) 15 February 1946 (US) DVD 2012 (UK)
Running time	94 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	£92,000
Money made	£2 million (by Feb 1948)

The Seventh Veil is a British film from 1945. It is a melodrama, which means it tells a dramatic story with strong emotions. The movie was directed by Compton Bennett. It stars James Mason and Ann Todd.

The story is about a talented piano player named Francesca. She suddenly cannot use her hands to play music. A special doctor helps her by using hypnosis. This helps Francesca remember important parts of her life. These memories show her how different relationships have shaped her. The film's title comes from a saying. It means that people hide their deepest secrets, like a seventh veil. The doctor helps Francesca remove these "veils" to understand herself better.

The Story of The Seventh Veil

Francesca Cunningham is a very gifted concert pianist. But she believes she has lost the use of her hands. Feeling very sad, she leaves the place where she is staying. She jumps into a river, but she survives.

However, Francesca cannot speak or respond to anyone. Dr. Larsen, a psychiatrist, tries to help her. He uses hypnosis to guide Francesca. This helps her remember past events in her life. These memories appear as flashbacks in the film.

Francesca's Early Life

When Francesca is 14, music is her whole world. A teacher hits her hands, which stops her from winning a piano contest. Soon after, her father dies suddenly. This means she must live with his cousin, Nicholas. Nicholas is a strict, unmarried man who uses a cane.

At first, Nicholas does not pay much attention to Francesca. But then he learns she is a very talented pianist. Nicholas himself is not a good player. However, he is an amazing and inspiring teacher. They practice for many hours every day. But Nicholas gets angry if Francesca tries to show him thanks.

Studying Music

Francesca goes to the Royal College of Music. She is very happy there. But then Nicholas "takes away all her happiness." She meets Peter, a lively American musician. Peter is studying in London. He shows Francesca a new world. He also introduces her to a waltz song. Nicholas calls this song "suburban shop girl trash."

Francesca decides to marry Peter. Nicholas hears this news. He calmly tells her to pack a bag. He says they are leaving for Paris in the morning to continue her studies. Francesca tries to refuse. But Nicholas reminds her that she is only 17. He has full control over her until she turns 21. Francesca tells Dr. Larsen that Nicholas watched her closely for seven years. He wanted her to become the perfect concert pianist. He often reminded her to protect her "precious hands."

Concert Success and Challenges

Francesca's first big concert is in Venice. It is a huge success. But an old school friend reminds her about the failed music exam. The stress is so great that Francesca faints on stage. She tells Dr. Larsen, "I could almost feel my fingers swelling."

Later, Francesca performs at the Royal Albert Hall. The audience cheers loudly. She quickly moves past Nicholas. She wants to find Peter. She finds him by chance on a poster. He leads a band at an elegant nightclub. The band plays their special waltz. They dance together. Francesca does not tell the doctor what happened next.

New Relationships and an Accident

Instead, Francesca tells Dr. Larsen about Maxwell Leyden. Max is an artist. Nicholas hired him to paint Francesca's portrait. Francesca and Max soon fall in love. They plan to live in Max's house in Italy. Nicholas is very angry about this.

Francesca tells Nicholas she is thankful for some things. But she will never forgive him for others. She plays a part of Beethoven's Piano Sonata Pathétique. She plays it louder and louder. It drowns out Nicholas's long, angry speech. He says she belongs to him. Furious, Nicholas slams his cane down on the piano keys. He just misses her hands. She screams and runs to Max. Max quickly drives her away in his car.

Then, there is a car accident. Francesca wakes up in the nursing home. Her hands have slight burns and bandages. But she is wrongly convinced she can never play again. This brings the story back to the beginning.

Finding the Truth

While under hypnosis, Dr. Larsen gets Francesca to play the music. But the memory of Nicholas makes her faint. Max takes her out of the nursing home. He does not want Dr. Larsen to continue the treatment.

Dr. Larsen goes to Nicholas. He plays a recording of Francesca's music. Nicholas breaks the record. Dr. Larsen thanks him. He says this shows how much Francesca means to Nicholas. Nicholas then goes to Max's house. He convinces Francesca that Dr. Larsen can help her.

Meanwhile, Dr. Larsen sees Peter. Peter tells him that the night Francesca returned, he told her he was married. Dr. Larsen brings Peter to Nicholas's home. Max is also waiting there. They all go upstairs. We hear Peter's waltz playing. Then we hear Francesca playing the Beethoven music.

Dr. Larsen comes downstairs while Francesca is still playing. He tells the three men that Francesca is a new person. She is no longer afraid. She will want to be with the one she loves, trusts, and has been happiest with. Nicholas quietly goes into another room. Francesca comes downstairs, smiling. She runs through the door and into Nicholas's arms.

Meet the Cast

• James Mason as Nicholas
• Ann Todd as Francesca
• Herbert Lom as Dr. Larsen
• Hugh McDermott as Peter Gay
• Albert Lieven as Maxwell Leyden
• Yvonne Owen as Susan Brook
• David Horne as Dr. Kendall
• Manning Whiley as Dr. Irving
• Grace Allardyce as Nurse
• Ernest Davies as Parker
• John Slater as James

How the Film Was Made

Sydney and Muriel Box were a husband-and-wife team. They were first asked to make a documentary. It was about soldiers dealing with stress from war. These soldiers were being helped with hypnosis. Muriel then thought that using hypnotherapy could make a great movie story. The couple wrote the script together. Sydney then produced the film.

Actor James Mason said that the first script ended differently. It showed Francesca choosing Peter. But Mason and his wife thought this ending was "wrong" and "boring."

The film's music was written by Benjamin Frankel. It also included famous piano pieces by Chopin, Mozart, and Beethoven. Parts of the Grieg and Rachmaninoff 2nd piano concertos were also used.

A pianist named Eileen Joyce played the piano music for the film. Her name is not in the movie credits. She also made a short film to help Ann Todd practice her arm movements. Eileen Joyce even coached Ann Todd in person. It is Eileen Joyce's hands that you see in all the close-up shots of the piano playing.

Other Versions of the Story

The story of The Seventh Veil was also adapted for radio and stage.

• On October 5, 1946, a radio show called This Is Hollywood presented The Seventh Veil. Ray Milland and Ann Todd starred in this version.
• The Lux Radio Theatre presented the story twice. First, on September 15, 1947, with Joseph Cotten and Ida Lupino. Then, on December 13, 1948, with Ingrid Bergman and Robert Montgomery.
• Another radio version was broadcast on February 3, 1952. This 30-minute show starred David Niven.
• In 1951, Ann Todd and Herbert Lom acted in a stage play of the story in London. Leo Genn played the role that James Mason had in the film.