Separate Tables

Released Dec 15, 1958

1h 39m

Drama

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List

67%

18 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

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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

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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

william d

The dramatic aspects of the story have not aged very well. However, the stellar ensemble cast turns in some outstanding performances.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Delbert Mann

Director

David Niven

Major Angus Pollock

Burt Lancaster

John Malcolm

Deborah Kerr

Sibyl Railton-Bell

Rita Hayworth

Ann Shankland

Wendy Hiller

Pat Cooper

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Separate Tables: Trailer 1

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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
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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