Magnificent Obsession

1935

1h 52m

Drama

List

67%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

53%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

Helen Hudson (Irene Dunne) is left widowed and penniless after the hospital is unable to save the life of her charitable husband, Dr. Hudson, because another drowning victim -- the spoiled Robert Merrick (Robert Taylor) -- required the hospital's only resuscitation device. Merrick seeks Helen out to offer recompense, but she rebukes him. He soon falls in love with her, but an accident leads to Helen's loss of eyesight, which threatens their relationship and eventually her life.

Read More

Read Less

Variety Staff

Variety

With its metaphysical theme of godliness and faith, the spiritual background of Magnificent is magnificent.

Feb 23, 2012

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Its melodrama builds futilely and proceeds at a lethargic pace that detracts from platitudes about obsession, miracles, and blind love. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

May 26, 2022

Full Review

James T. Hamada

The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu)

It's a long film, slow In tempo, but is beautifully directed, acted and photographed.

Jun 24, 2020

Full Review

Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

The wonder of this picture is how the women will weep. And weep. Otherwise it's as smooth as that superb butler, Arthur Treacher, who is in the cast.

Apr 16, 2020

Full Review

Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

If you can really believe in the unaccountable way people act in this picture it will probably make you cry. It was made with that idea in mind.

Oct 2, 2019

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B+

Feb 18, 2013

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

wow tough call here-this great but i think the douglas sirk version is better but this one comes in a close second.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The Sirk version of this some 20 years later is better known (and tighter, he amalgamates a few roles) and just better. Without all the technicolor and with more lame slapstick (and English butler jokes), this really is not as good. Robert Taylor's make-up as the younger Bob also looks really odd.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

John M. Stahl

Director

Irene Dunne

Helen Hudson

Robert Taylor

Robert Merrick

Charles Butterworth

Tommy Masterson

Betty Furness

Joyce Hudson

Sara Haden

Mrs. Nancy Ashford

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

83%

65%

Walking on Water

40%

36%

The Confession

49%

72%

The Judge

TRAILER

for The Judge

92%

85%

I, Daniel Blake

TRAILER

for I, Daniel Blake

100%

91%

Toni

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Helen Hudson (Irene Dunne) is left widowed and penniless after the hospital is unable to save the life of her charitable husband, Dr. Hudson, because another drowning victim -- the spoiled Robert Merrick (Robert Taylor) -- required the hospital's only resuscitation device. Merrick seeks Helen out to offer recompense, but she rebukes him. He soon falls in love with her, but an accident leads to Helen's loss of eyesight, which threatens their relationship and eventually her life.

Director: John M. Stahl
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 52m