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Separate Tables

Play trailer 2:24 Poster for Separate Tables Released Dec 15, 1958 1h 39m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
During the off-season at the Beauregard Hotel, the secrets of some guests are exposed. Lovely but vulnerable Ann Shankland (Rita Hayworth) travels to the hotel in hopes of starting over with her ex-husband, John (Burt Lancaster), but she does not know that he is already engaged to Pat Cooper (Wendy Hiller), the manager of the hotel. Meanwhile, Mrs. Railton-Bell (Gladys Cooper) and her daughter Sibyl (Deborah Kerr) discover the hidden truth about war veteran Major Pollack (David Niven).
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Separate Tables

Critics Reviews

View All (18) Critics Reviews
Peter John Dyer Sight & Sound Because [Terence] Rattigan here cares more for theatrical effects than human beings, the implication is assumed in headlines rather than established: his grey little world of failure remains obstinately out of touch with reality. Mar 18, 2020 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Rated: 4/5 Jan 27, 2004 Full Review Zita Short InSession Film These little touches make the film worth watching and with an exquisite Wendy Hiller on screen for a few highly memorable scenes it is hard not to be riveted. Feb 10, 2023 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Separate Tables is not a noteworthy title for any of the considerable talents involved. While historically it may stand as one of the most prized adaptations of the brilliant Terence Rattigan, it also happens to be his most sanitized. Rated: 2.5/5 Nov 4, 2020 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Deborah Kerr, her beauty hidden under the mousy façade of a faded and timid spinster, proves again that she is one of the finest actresses on the international screen. Oct 21, 2019 Full Review Isabel Quigly The Spectator It seems the perfect vehicle for social realism; but somehow it is not real. Jul 19, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nicoletta M Poignant, well acted, and soothingly just. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/27/24 Full Review Jeff M My biggest takeaway when this movie ended was wondering how the devil Niven not only got nominated but actually WON Best Actor for his performance here. He's fine - there's nothing wrong with him - but it's in no way award-worthy, and I'd even suggest it may be a supporting role. And I know it's not his fault, but it didn't help matters that every time he opened his mouth, all I could think of was Harvey Korman's flamboyant stage actor character on THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW. The film surrounding him is a disappointingly lackluster affair. The cast assembled is brilliant - it almost feels like an assemblage for one of those Agatha Christie adaptations. The being said, Gladys Cooper and Deborah Kerr tend to over-play their roles. Wendy Hiller appears bored throughout, and not once do you believe she and Lancaster would say hello passing on the street let alone be engaged. Only Lancaster and Hayworth breathe life into their roles, and their scenes together are the movie's best. The pedigree here is outstanding, but the result is not much different than a passionless episode of the 80s primetime soap HOTEL. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/24 Full Review Anthony J I was hoping for more from what proported to be something of a 'classic.' It may have been, once, in a long ago era. Now it seems stuffy and badly dated, except for the Burt Lancaster scenes which, though well acted, clash with the shabby genteel oh-so British atmosphere. Niven is good, not actually playing standard David Niven, but not 'Oscar good, certainly not by today's standards. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Great actors, nostalic, classic comedy and drama. A gem. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member You can appreciate Rattigan's writing, especially since a lot of the material about shame and judgment clearly came from his own experience as a gay man in the mid 20th century, while also recognizes that this all plays a lot better on stage. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Deborah Kerr constantly proves she's one of the greatest Classic Hollywood actresses ever! she should've WON The Oscar over Wendy Hiller (another actress who i think was NOT worth the Oscar!), just like Burt Lancaster should've been nominated for Best Actor, not just WIN over David Niven! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Separate Tables

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis During the off-season at the Beauregard Hotel, the secrets of some guests are exposed. Lovely but vulnerable Ann Shankland (Rita Hayworth) travels to the hotel in hopes of starting over with her ex-husband, John (Burt Lancaster), but she does not know that he is already engaged to Pat Cooper (Wendy Hiller), the manager of the hotel. Meanwhile, Mrs. Railton-Bell (Gladys Cooper) and her daughter Sibyl (Deborah Kerr) discover the hidden truth about war veteran Major Pollack (David Niven).
Director
Delbert Mann
Producer
Harold Hecht
Screenwriter
Terence Rattigan, John Gay
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 15, 1958, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
1h 39m
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