Beloved Enemy

Released Dec 25, 1936

1h 30m

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

43%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In 1921, British Lord Athleigh (Henry Stephenson) arrives in Dublin with his daughter, Helen (Merle Oberon), to engage in peace talks. As wanted Irish rebel leader Dennis Riordan (Brian Aherne) is not recognized in public, he is able to move about freely and saves the Athleighs from an assassination attempt by a radical faction. Dennis and Helen meet again and, unaware of his position, Helen falls in love with him. Later when Dennis admits his identity, Helen must make a fateful decision.

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Variety Staff

Variety

They have conceived a romantic tragedy between the leader of the Irish insurrectionists and the titled daughter of a British conciliator, and the result is more fantastic than anything. G.A. Henty ever invented.

Dec 27, 2023

Full Review

Frank S. Nugent

New York Times

A fine and mature and dignified drama of the Irish Rebellion of 1921, it has the stamp of quality on each of its departments -- story, direction, performance and production -- and it tempts us mightily to revise our tentative list of this year's best ten.

Dec 27, 2023

Full Review

Pare Lorentz

McCall's

It is too long and too delicate to be a legend of Michael Collins; it is too well-produced and played not to be seen.

Dec 27, 2023

Full Review

Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Its weakness seems to be that it has too many elements and too many points of view, that it tends to mount its horse and ride off in all directions.

Oct 7, 2019

Full Review

TV Guide Staff

TV Guide

The screen is charged with fiery passion, good chase sequences, fine melodrama, and touching dialog between the two lovers about the stupidity of killing in the name of political gain. Strong performances from everyone involved.

Feb 23, 2012

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nick s

Great production value for the era with awesome sets, but it soon became clear this was going to be another forbidden romance with all the usual conflicts.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Romantic drama with a decent enough historical background and period setting to it. It's a little ordinary in this respect, but well made.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

good mix of weepie plus rom-dram= this one

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

great cast good stuff

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

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H. C. Potter

Director

Merle Oberon

Helen Drummond

Brian Aherne

Dennis Riordan

David Niven

Captain Gerald Preston

Karen Morley

Cathleen O'Brien

Theodore von Eltz

Sean O'Brian

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Synopsis

In 1921, British Lord Athleigh (Henry Stephenson) arrives in Dublin with his daughter, Helen (Merle Oberon), to engage in peace talks. As wanted Irish rebel leader Dennis Riordan (Brian Aherne) is not recognized in public, he is able to move about freely and saves the Athleighs from an assassination attempt by a radical faction. Dennis and Helen meet again and, unaware of his position, Helen falls in love with him. Later when Dennis admits his identity, Helen must make a fateful decision.

Director: H. C. Potter
Producer: Samuel Goldwyn
Screenwriter: William Brown Meloney, John L. Balderston, Rose Franken
Production Co: Howard Productions, The Samuel Goldwyn Company
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1936, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 14, 2020
Runtime: 1h 30m

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