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Colorized poster of Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) starring Dennis Price

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) in Color — Starring Dennis Price & Alec Guinness

He chopped down the family tree...Jun. 21, 1949United Kingdom104 Min.Approved

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IMDb 9 41,036 votes

Comedy Crime

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Synopsis

Browse More: 📅 More from 1949 🎭 Comedy Movies 🎭 Crime Movies 🌍 UK Movies

Is Kind Hearts and Coronets in colour? Yes — this is the colorized version

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), the comedy classic starring Dennis Price and Alec Guinness, was originally released in black and white — no official colour version was ever produced by the studio. What you are looking at is the professionally colorized restoration: every frame recoloured, available as an instant DRM-free HD (720p) download. You can judge it yourself — the colour preview plays on this page before you buy.

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) — Buy This Classic in Color

Savour the wickedest comedy in British cinema history with Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), now available to buy as a professionally colorized version. Starring Dennis Price as a debonair serial killer and Alec Guinness in an astonishing tour de force playing eight members of the same aristocratic family, alongside Joan Greenwood and Valerie Hobson, this classic film is a masterpiece of dark wit and elegant murder. Originally released in black and white, this restored black comedy has been meticulously enhanced through frame-by-frame HD colorization. Download your instant, DRM-free copy today for just €15.00 and watch this crown jewel of Ealing Studios in vivid color.

Plot Summary

Louis Mazzini is the impoverished son of an Italian singer and an English noblewoman who was disowned by her family, the aristocratic D’Ascoynes, for marrying beneath her station. When Louis’s mother dies in poverty, denied even a place in the family crypt, Louis resolves to avenge her humiliation in the most methodical way possible — by murdering every D’Ascoyne who stands between himself and the family dukedom.

What follows is one of cinema’s most deliciously audacious murder sprees, narrated with impeccable composure by Louis himself from a prison cell as he awaits execution. Each D’Ascoyne — all played with extraordinary versatility by Alec Guinness — meets a different ingeniously arranged demise: a photographer is poisoned, a clergyman is dispatched in his own church, a suffragette expires in a hot-air balloon, an admiral goes down with his ship. Louis dispatches them with the fastidious elegance of a man arranging flowers, never raising his voice or losing his manners.

Meantime, Louis juggles two romantic entanglements: the scheming, sensuous Sibella, his childhood sweetheart who represents everything base and thrilling about his nature, and the refined, innocent Edith, the widow of one of his victims, who represents the respectable life his mother was denied. As Louis climbs closer to the coronet, the question becomes whether his perfect crime can survive the complications of the human heart. This classic movie remains the supreme achievement of British dark comedy.

Cast & Crew

Starring: Dennis Price, Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood, Valerie Hobson
Director: Robert Hamer
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 1949
Rated: Approved
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Country: UK

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized and restored version brings a sumptuous new visual dimension to this sophisticated comedy of manners and murder. The colorization process reveals the Edwardian splendour of the D’Ascoyne estates, the lush English countryside, and the elegant period costumes in rich, atmospheric tones that complement the film’s aristocratic setting. Alec Guinness’s eight distinct characterizations become even more remarkable when viewers can distinguish each D’Ascoyne through the subtle differences in complexion, wardrobe colour, and environment that black-and-white photography could only hint at. Joan Greenwood’s sultry beauty and Dennis Price’s cold-blooded elegance are enhanced by the warmth and depth of full color. Now also available in colour.

Buy now for an instant, secure digital download with no DRM restrictions. Compatible with all devices that play MP4 files.

Historical Significance

Kind Hearts and Coronets is widely regarded as the finest film produced by Ealing Studios and one of the greatest comedies ever made in any language. Released in 1949, it established Alec Guinness as one of the most versatile actors in cinema — his performance as all eight D’Ascoynes, ranging from a militant suffragette to a bumbling clergyman to a pompous admiral, remains one of the most celebrated acting achievements in film history. Director Robert Hamer crafted a screenplay of extraordinary literary polish and moral ambiguity, creating a protagonist who is simultaneously a cold-blooded murderer and an utterly charming narrator. The film pushed the boundaries of what was permissible in post-war British cinema, treating serial murder with an insouciant wit that shocked and delighted audiences in equal measure. It has been consistently ranked among the greatest British films ever made and directly influenced generations of dark comedies.

Technical Details

Original Format: Black and White (1949)
Colorized: Frame-by-frame HD colorization
Resolution: HD 720p
File Format: MP4 / MKV
Running Time: 106 minutes
Delivery: Instant download link on-screen and sent to your email upon purchase.
Price: €15.00
License: Personal, non-commercial use

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: What is Kind Hearts and Coronets about?
A charming but ruthless man systematically murders the eight aristocratic relatives who stand between him and a dukedom, narrating his crimes with impeccable wit and composure.

Q: Does Alec Guinness really play eight different characters?
Yes, Guinness plays all eight members of the D’Ascoyne family — men and women, young and old — in one of the most celebrated virtuoso performances in cinema history.

Q: Is this a comedy or a crime film?
It is both — a pitch-black comedy of manners where murder is treated with the delicacy of afternoon tea. The film’s genius lies in making the audience root for a charming serial killer.

Digital Download Questions

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

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

Q: Is the download DRM-free?
Yes, this digital download is DRM-free for your personal use.

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.