Libel (1959) in Color — Starring Dirk Bogarde & Olivia de Havilland

Libel (1959) — Buy This Classic in Color

Plunge into a gripping courtroom thriller of identity and deception with Libel (1959), now available to buy as a professionally colorized version. Starring Dirk Bogarde, Olivia de Havilland, and Robert Morley, this classic film follows a wealthy English baronet who is publicly accused of being an imposter — a former POW who stole the identity of a dead fellow prisoner — and must prove his own identity in a sensational libel trial. Originally released in black and white, this restored thriller has been carefully enhanced through frame-by-frame HD colorization. Download your instant, DRM-free copy today for just €15.00 and watch this riveting legal drama in color.

Plot Summary

Sir Mark Sebastian Doddsworth Doddsworth Doddsworth is a respected English baronet living quietly on his ancestral estate with his beautiful wife, Lady Margaret. His world is shattered when a Canadian acquaintance publicly accuses him of being an imposter — claiming that the real Sir Mark died in a German prisoner-of-war camp during the war, and that the man now living as Sir Mark is actually Frank Doddsworth, a common-born actor who bore an uncanny resemblance to the baronet and assumed his identity.

Sir Mark sues for libel, and the resulting trial becomes a national sensation. The courtroom becomes a stage where every detail of the accused man’s past is dissected: his memories, his mannerisms, his knowledge of the family estate and its history. The prosecution presents witnesses who knew the real Sir Mark before the war and detect subtle differences. The defense counters with evidence of trauma-induced memory loss from the POW camp.

Lady Margaret watches the proceedings with mounting anguish. She married this man after the war and has always accepted him as her husband — but now even she begins to wonder. The most devastating question is not whether Sir Mark is who he claims to be, but whether his wife can still love him if the answer is uncertain. As the trial reaches its climax, the truth proves to be more complex and more heartbreaking than either side imagined. This classic movie delivers powerful courtroom drama laced with psychological complexity and genuine emotional depth.

Cast & Crew

• Starring: Dirk Bogarde, Olivia de Havilland, Robert Morley, Paul Massie, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Anthony Dawson, Millicent Martin
• Director: Anthony Asquith
• Runtime: 100 minutes
• Year: 1959
• Rated: Not Rated
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• Country: United Kingdom

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized and restored version brings sumptuous visual richness to this elegant British courtroom thriller. The colorization process reveals the dark-paneled grandeur of the English courtroom, the beautiful country estate interiors, and the period clothing in warm, authentic tones that ground the drama in its world. Dirk Bogarde — one of the finest actors of his generation — delivers a performance of extraordinary subtlety that gains additional expressive dimension in color; every micro-expression of doubt, defiance, and vulnerability becomes more visible. Olivia de Havilland’s patrician beauty and emotional depth are even more striking against the richly colored English settings. Robert Morley brings commanding wit and gravitas to the courtroom scenes, and the visual contrast between the warm security of the country house and the cold, adversarial courtroom heightens the film’s central tension between public truth and private love. 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

Libel was directed by Anthony Asquith, one of the most polished and literate directors in British cinema, whose work spanned from the silent era to the 1960s. Based on Edward Wooll’s successful stage play, the film brought together a remarkable Anglo-American cast. Dirk Bogarde, who had recently transitioned from matinee idol to serious dramatic actor, gave a tour-de-force triple performance that demanded he play three distinct personalities — the aristocrat, the actor, and the ambiguity between them. Olivia de Havilland, the two-time Oscar winner who had defined intelligent, emotionally complex heroines in Hollywood, brought her formidable dramatic intelligence to the role of the wife tormented by uncertainty. Robert Morley, in brilliant form as the prosecuting barrister, demonstrated why he was considered one of the great scene-stealers in British film. Wilfrid Hyde-White added his signature blend of geniality and shrewdness. The film explored themes that fascinated postwar British society — identity, class, the malleability of memory, and the thin line between truth and performance — with intelligence, wit, and genuine dramatic power.

Technical Details

• Original Format: Black and White (1959)
• Colorized: Frame-by-frame HD colorization
• Resolution: HD 720p
• File Format: MP4 / MKV
• Running Time: 100 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 Libel about?
A wealthy English baronet is publicly accused of being an imposter who stole the identity of a dead POW, and must prove who he really is in a sensational libel trial.

Q: Who stars in this film?
Dirk Bogarde in a remarkable multi-layered performance, alongside Oscar winner Olivia de Havilland and Robert Morley, directed by Anthony Asquith.

Q: Is this a courtroom drama?
Yes, the film centers on a riveting libel trial that explores questions of identity, memory, and truth, with powerful performances from all the principals.

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.

Related Colorized Classics

• Night of the Demon (1957)
• This Gun for Hire (1942)
• The Black Cat (1941)
• Dear Murderer (1947)
• The Glass Key (1942)