21 Days Together (1940) in Color — Starring Vivien Leigh & Laurence Olivier

21 Days Together (1940) — Buy This Classic in Color

Buy 21 Days Together (1940) in color — Basil Dean’s gripping British drama of love, guilt, and sacrifice, now professionally colorized and restored in stunning HD quality. Starring the legendary real-life couple Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier in one of their rare on-screen pairings, this atmospheric pre-war classic delivers raw emotional intensity and superb performances. Based on John Galsworthy’s play The First and the Last, this film is a must-have for fans of classic British cinema. Available as an instant, DRM-free digital download for immediate enjoyment.

Plot Summary

Larry Durrant (Laurence Olivier), a charming but reckless young man, accidentally kills the abusive husband of Wanda (Vivien Leigh), the woman he loves, during a violent confrontation. Though the death was unintentional, Larry and Wanda find themselves trapped in a web of concealment and mounting dread. Larry’s brother Keith Durrant (Leslie Banks), a respected barrister, discovers the truth and is torn between family loyalty and his duty to the law. As fate would have it, an innocent vagrant named Henry Wallen (Esme Percy) is wrongly arrested and charged with the killing, plunging the lovers into an agonizing moral crisis. This classic movie continues to captivate new generations of viewers.

For twenty-one fleeting days, Larry and Wanda attempt to live freely, wandering through the foggy streets of London and savoring stolen moments of happiness before Keith’s trial begins. The relentless solicitor Mander (Francis L. Sullivan) circles ever closer to the truth, while Beavis (David Horne) and Swinton (Frederick Lloyd) play their parts in the unfolding legal drama. As the Lord Chief Justice (William Dewhurst) presides over the wrongly accused man’s fate, the weight of guilt becomes unbearable for Larry. The film builds toward a devastating conclusion as justice, love, and conscience collide in a final act of startling self-sacrifice. Originally filmed in black and white, this intimate British drama remains a powerful study of moral compromise and the cost of hidden truth.

Cast & Crew

• Director: Basil Dean
• Starring: Vivien Leigh as Wanda, Laurence Olivier as Larry Durrant, Leslie Banks as Keith Durrant, Francis L. Sullivan as Mander, David Horne as Beavis, William Dewhurst as Lord Chief Justice, Frederick Lloyd as Swinton, Robert Newton as Tolly, Esme Percy as Henry Wallen, Elliott Mason as Frau Grunlich
• Runtime: 72 minutes
• Year: 1940
• Rated: Approved
• Genre: Drama, Romance

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This restored colorized version of 21 Days Together brings Basil Dean’s moody London drama to life with era-accurate colorization applied frame by frame. The fog-shrouded London streets take on a new atmospheric depth, with muted grays and blues enhancing the tension-filled exterior scenes, while warm amber and golden tones illuminate the intimate moments shared between Larry and Wanda. Vivien Leigh’s luminous screen presence is even more captivating in color, her expressive eyes and period wardrobe revealing details that black and white photography could only suggest. Laurence Olivier’s brooding intensity gains additional layers as the colorization highlights his character’s shifting emotions through subtle changes in lighting and environment.

The professional colorization process preserves every detail of the original cinematography while adding depth and dimension to each scene. The richly furnished interiors of Keith Durrant’s chambers, the starkness of the courtroom, and the wintry beauty of 1940s London all benefit from carefully researched period-appropriate hues. Experience this rare pairing of two of cinema’s greatest legends the way modern audiences can best appreciate it — in vivid color that enhances every dramatic beat and emotional turning point.

Historical Significance

Released in 1940, 21 Days Together (also known as 21 Days and The First and the Last) holds a unique place in cinema history as one of only two films in which Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier appear together as romantic leads. Filmed in 1937 but shelved by Columbia Pictures, the movie was only released after both stars had achieved international fame — Leigh for Gone with the Wind (1939) and Olivier for Wuthering Heights (1939). The film’s delayed release transformed it from a modest British production into a highly anticipated event, as audiences clamored to see the celebrated couple share the screen. Based on John Galsworthy’s one-act play The First and the Last, the story reflects the era’s fascination with moral dilemmas and class tensions, themes that resonated deeply with pre-war British audiences facing their own uncertain future.

Technical Details

• Original Format: Black and White (1940)
• Colorized: Professional frame-by-frame HD colorization and restoration
• Resolution: HD 720p
• File Format: MP4 / MKV
• Running Time: 72 minutes
• Language: English
• Delivery: Instant download link on-screen and sent to your email upon purchase
• Price: €15.00
• License: Personal, non-commercial use

This classic film is also available in colour for international audiences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Why was 21 Days Together released three years after it was filmed?
The film was completed in 1937 but Columbia Pictures shelved it, unsatisfied with the commercial prospects of a low-budget British drama. After Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier became international superstars in 1939 with Gone with the Wind and Wuthering Heights respectively, the studio seized the opportunity to capitalize on their fame and finally released the picture in 1940. This delayed release gives the film a fascinating behind-the-scenes story that enriches the viewing experience.

Q: Is this the same film as “The First and the Last”?
Yes, 21 Days Together was released under several alternate titles including 21 Days and The First and the Last, the latter being the original title of John Galsworthy’s source play. The story follows the same characters and plot regardless of the title, centering on the doomed romance of Larry Durrant and Wanda during their final days of freedom.

Q: What makes the Leigh-Olivier pairing special in this film?
Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier were in a passionate real-life relationship during filming in 1937, and their authentic chemistry infuses every scene with raw emotional credibility. This is one of the rarest opportunities to see two of the twentieth century’s most acclaimed actors performing opposite each other as romantic leads, making 21 Days Together an essential piece of classic cinema history.

Digital Download Questions

Q: Is this the original film with added color?
Yes, this is the original 1940 black and white film professionally colorized frame-by-frame for authentic, vibrant visuals while preserving the restored original audio and performances.

Q: What devices can I watch this on?
Any device that supports MP4 playback, including Smart TVs, Windows and macOS computers, tablets, and iOS or Android mobile devices.

Q: Is the download DRM-free?
Yes, your digital download is completely DRM-free for personal use. No special software or accounts are required to enjoy the film.

Q: How and when will I receive my download?
You will receive a secure download link on the confirmation page immediately after purchase. A copy of the link will also be sent to your email address.

Related Colorized Classics

• Waterloo Bridge (1931)
• Wuthering Heights (1939)
• Rebecca (1940)
• The 39 Steps (1935)
• Jamaica Inn (1939)