Over the years, the term “Pre-Raphaelite” has wandered far beyond its original meaning. It’s become a modern shorthand for a dress style, a certain mood, or flowing hair.
But when watching Blanche Fury (1948), “Pre-Raphaelite” leapt to mind for a completely different reason. Instead of an abundance of loose curls, Blanche’s pinned hair falls in soft, heavy sections reminiscent of Elizabeth Siddal.
It’s that particular Siddal quality, as if the pins in her hair are only suggestions.
Georgiana Burne-Jones once described Siddal’s hair as “very loosely fastened up, so that it fell in soft, heavy wings.” And that is exactly the phrase that kept whispering through my mind as I watched Blanche Fury. Blanche’s hair forms similar wings, giving the impression of weight and softness.
As for the film itself, this melodramatic gothic tale has plenty of atmosphere, but loses its grip too quickly, like a story that sets up a storm but forgot the lightning it’s been promising.
Interestingly, the people closest to it seemed to feel something similar.
Producer Anthony Havelock-Allen later admitted the film took too long, cost too much, and didn’t connect with audiences the way they’d hoped. He described it as a “hard” film with too much real hatred mixed in with the romance, and not enough of the lush escapism the public wanted at the time.
Actress Valerie Hobson, who was married to Havelock-Allen at the time (and later married the scandalous MP John Profumo) spoke about the film with tenderness. She’d just had their son, who was born with Down’s Syndrome, and she said the film was meant as a “loving gift,” a way to restore her to leading lady status, although she ultimately felt the film didn’t fully work.
And yet: I keep thinking the plot does have strong bones.
Which is why, despite my frequent grumbling about Hollywood’s remake machine, I can’t help imagining a retelling that actually leans into what Blanche Fury only half grasps.
A version with real gothic bite and a heavy Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic.
Perhaps this film needs to be reimagined.
