The Enchanted Cottage

Released Feb 15, 1945

1h 31m

Romance

List

100%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

83%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

Disfigured from wounds suffered in war, pilot Oliver Bradford (Robert Young) runs away in shame from his beautiful fiancée (Hillary Brooke) and his mother (Spring Byington). Renting a cottage from the kind-hearted Mrs. Minnett (Mildred Natwick), Oliver meets the plain-looking but gentle housekeeper Laura Pennington (Dorothy McGuire). As the veteran and the maid begin to learn more about one another, they see past their outer imperfections to discover that true beauty lies within.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

For Valentine's Day, try this romantic classic.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Shouldn't be missed.

Jun 17, 2010

Full Review

NZ Herald Staff

New Zealand Herald

After her clever performance in that silly film Claudia, Dorothy McGuire gives a remarkable demonstration of her versatility as Laura.

Nov 6, 2020

Full Review

Christopher Lloyd

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Might have been just another run-of-the-mill midcentury romance, except for the bold way it depicts the debilitating effects of World War II on the very face and body of its male star.

Rated: 4/5

May 2, 2013

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Sensitive, occasionally touching romantic fable, well directed by John Cromwell and well acted by Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire.

Rated: B-

Jan 30, 2012

Full Review

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rated: 4/5

Aug 22, 2003

Full Review

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Celeste D

This is a classic romance from 1945, and the cottage is a large part of the romance. Dorothy McGuire, Robert Young and Mildred Natwick play it so you live it, you are there! This is an excellent film with dialogue which so many films seem to have forgotten. If you like charm coziness sweetness romance and music this is a good film for you!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

Full Review

Bonnie L

What a lovely story showing us true beauty. Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire are so natural and convincing of the truth that love comes from the heart. It is because of the acting and beyond the acting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/24

Full Review

Steve D

The acting raises it above the schlock.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

Full Review

Raven M

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures about being in love. Two broken people find each other and despite the brokenness make each other whole through love. It's said that love is blind, that it prevents us from seeing the faults of each other. That's only partially true. It can also open our eyes to the best in a person, some of the things that ambivalence doesn't allow others to see. But people who truly love one another see youth, beauty and vibrance no matter what's on the outside of a person. No how much time passes between people; true love keeps them forever the same person one falls in love with.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/22

Full Review

Audience Member

What a beguiling little film. A month after screening it I'm still sharing the storyline with others and they're hanging on every word.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

joe m

A three handkerchief movie! "The Enchanted Cottage" is one of those old fashion tear-jerkers that Hollywood did so well back in the 1930's and 1940's. SPOILER ALERTS! A scarred WW II fighter pilot returns to what was suppose to be his honeymoon cottage, morose and in despair. A plain, young woman working as the maid brings him back to humanity - and love! "The Enchanted Cottage" might have been just good, yet it is really enhanced by the stellar performances by Dorothy McGuire and Robert Young as the two lovers. McGuire in particular brings real heart to her role - sympathy and pity, but not pitiful. Her Laura shows steely determination and real strength of character. Outstanding acting on her part! Add to that the great supporingt performance by Mildred Natwick as the housekeeper of the cottage - aloof and frosty, but hiding a heart of gold. The rest of the cast, especially Spring Byington, really do a bang-up job. And the sets and scenery all add to the magical feel of the entire film. If you want to see quality, maudlin movie making that you can't get on Lifetime, "The Enchanted Cottage" is the film for you!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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John Cromwell

Director

Robert Young

Oliver Bradford

Dorothy McGuire

Laura Pennington

Herbert Marshall

Major John Hillgrove

Mildred Natwick

Mrs. Abigail Minnett

Spring Byington

Violet Price

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Synopsis

Disfigured from wounds suffered in war, pilot Oliver Bradford (Robert Young) runs away in shame from his beautiful fiancée (Hillary Brooke) and his mother (Spring Byington). Renting a cottage from the kind-hearted Mrs. Minnett (Mildred Natwick), Oliver meets the plain-looking but gentle housekeeper Laura Pennington (Dorothy McGuire). As the veteran and the maid begin to learn more about one another, they see past their outer imperfections to discover that true beauty lies within.

Director: John Cromwell
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre: Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 15, 1945, Original
Release Date (DVD): Dec 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 31m