I have watched this film several times and still find it quite captivating, despite the piano/singing sequences. The story by Hartley is much reminiscent of D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover, written earlier. It has secret passion, deceit and class differences for main themes. I think some of the contents of the film may be a bit confusing or unclear for someone who has not read the book, but otherwise it is a good adaptation.
*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD***
Throughout the film we cannot help feeling sorry for the ever-running boy Leo (Dominic Guard), especially in two scenes: first when he is scolded by Marian (Julie Christie) for initially avoiding her request; she then manipulates him, making him feel guilty to get her own way. The cruelty lies in the use of her privileged status, which makes it easy for her to win over his resistance by reminding him of his poor background. Second when he is caught in his lies by Mrs Maudsley we can only pity him despite his mistakes.
The feeling of an imminent disaster is well present and the building of the tension announces the end of the deceit for Ted (Alan Bates) and Marian, as well as the young boy's lost innocence (after his initial ignorance about sexual matters or the details of the love affair itself). As soon as the secret is out, the triangular links are destroyed : the days of complicity between Leo and the two illicit lovers are over, and the truth is fatal to the other triangle formed by Ted, Marian and Hugh.
One of the interests of the film is in the use of a certain language ("spooning"), as well as the subtext ( Marian explaining to Leo : "I must marry him (Hugh)", implies the social pressure, the society expectation and probably the fact she must know she is pregnant at this stage).
Despite the tragic denouement and Leo's trauma there is a notion of hope at the end; Now a much older man Leo is given a last mission as a "postman". His revisit of the Hall is a journey into the past as well as an opportunity for him to discover the present results of what happened years ago.
*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD***
Throughout the film we cannot help feeling sorry for the ever-running boy Leo (Dominic Guard), especially in two scenes: first when he is scolded by Marian (Julie Christie) for initially avoiding her request; she then manipulates him, making him feel guilty to get her own way. The cruelty lies in the use of her privileged status, which makes it easy for her to win over his resistance by reminding him of his poor background. Second when he is caught in his lies by Mrs Maudsley we can only pity him despite his mistakes.
The feeling of an imminent disaster is well present and the building of the tension announces the end of the deceit for Ted (Alan Bates) and Marian, as well as the young boy's lost innocence (after his initial ignorance about sexual matters or the details of the love affair itself). As soon as the secret is out, the triangular links are destroyed : the days of complicity between Leo and the two illicit lovers are over, and the truth is fatal to the other triangle formed by Ted, Marian and Hugh.
One of the interests of the film is in the use of a certain language ("spooning"), as well as the subtext ( Marian explaining to Leo : "I must marry him (Hugh)", implies the social pressure, the society expectation and probably the fact she must know she is pregnant at this stage).
Despite the tragic denouement and Leo's trauma there is a notion of hope at the end; Now a much older man Leo is given a last mission as a "postman". His revisit of the Hall is a journey into the past as well as an opportunity for him to discover the present results of what happened years ago.