The End of the Affair (1955) in Color — Starring Deborah Kerr & Van Johnson

The End of the Affair (1955) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the powerful romantic drama The End of the Affair (1955) Colorized, directed by Edward Dmytryk and starring Deborah Kerr and Van Johnson, a deeply moving adaptation of Graham Greene’s celebrated and intensely personal novel about a passionate wartime love affair in London during the Blitz, the devastating consequences of its abrupt ending, and the unexpected spiritual journey that follows when a novelist becomes consumed by jealousy and hires a private detective to investigate why the woman he still desperately loves suddenly and inexplicably left him, revealing a secret that transforms everything he believed about love and faith, now available for purchase in stunning color for just €15.00. This digitally enhanced version brings this powerful drama to vivid new life. Own this DRM-free digital download today.

Plot Summary

London during the Second World War, the years of the Blitz — a city of blackouts, bomb shelters, and desperate uncertainty. Into this atmosphere of heightened emotion comes an affair of consuming passion between Maurice Bendrix, a successful novelist, and Sarah Miles, the beautiful wife of a decent but unexciting senior civil servant named Henry Miles.

Maurice and Sarah’s affair is intense, reckless, and all-consuming. They meet in borrowed rooms and secret locations while the bombs fall around them, their love affair inseparable from the atmosphere of wartime London where every meeting might be the last. Henry, trusting and wrapped up in his government work, suspects nothing.

Then, during a particularly devastating bombing raid, Maurice is caught in a direct hit on the building where they have been meeting. Sarah rushes to find him lying beneath the rubble, apparently dead. In that moment of absolute desperation, Sarah makes a desperate promise — a bargain with God. If Maurice is allowed to live, she will end the affair and never see him again.

Maurice survives. And Sarah, true to her desperate vow, abruptly ends their relationship without explanation. Maurice is devastated and bewildered. His love curdles into bitter jealousy and obsession.

Two years later, Maurice encounters Henry by chance and learns that Henry suspects Sarah may be seeing someone. Maurice, consumed by jealousy, hires a private detective to follow Sarah. The investigation reveals not what Maurice feared — another lover — but something far more unexpected: Sarah has been struggling with the religious faith that her wartime promise awakened, visiting churches and questioning the nature of God, love, and sacrifice.

The discovery of Sarah’s diary reveals the full truth of her bargain and the torment she has endured in keeping it — loving Maurice still but bound by a promise she cannot break.

Cast & Crew

Director: Edward Dmytryk

Stars: Deborah Kerr as Sarah Miles, Van Johnson as Maurice Bendrix, John Mills as Albert Parkis, Peter Cushing as Henry Miles, Michael Goodliffe as Smythe

Deborah Kerr delivers a luminous and deeply affecting performance as Sarah Miles, conveying with extraordinary subtlety the conflict between passionate love and spiritual commitment. Van Johnson brings unexpected depth and bitter intensity to Maurice Bendrix, while Peter Cushing is touchingly restrained as the unknowing husband Henry.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The colorization of The End of the Affair brings wartime London to atmospheric life — the muted grays and deep navy blues of the blackout streets where Maurice and Sarah conduct their secret meetings, the warm amber and honey glow of borrowed rooms lit by firelight during bombing raids, the soft rose and cream of Sarah’s elegant wardrobe that marks her as a woman of refined beauty and quiet taste, the deep brown and mahogany tones of London pubs where Maurice drowns his jealousy in whisky, the pale gold candlelight of the churches where Sarah struggles with her faith, the rich burgundy and dark green of the Miles’ proper Clapham Common drawing room where Henry sits unknowing, the cold gray drizzle of post-war London streets that mirrors Maurice’s emotional desolation, the subtle flesh tones and warm complexions that bring Deborah Kerr’s extraordinary beauty to vivid life, the deep olive and khaki of wartime London’s military presence, and the soft blue-gray of winter light filtering through church windows during Sarah’s private moments of spiritual crisis. Now also available in colour. Buy The End of the Affair (1955) Colorized today for €15.00 and own this powerful drama in a DRM-free format.

Historical Significance

The End of the Affair occupies a significant place in the history of literary adaptations, bringing one of Graham Greene’s most autobiographical and emotionally raw novels to the screen with sensitivity and intelligence. Greene himself — notoriously critical of film adaptations of his work — was involved in the production. The film captures the very particular atmosphere of wartime and post-war London with documentary-like authenticity, and its exploration of the intersection between romantic love and religious faith was unusually sophisticated for 1950s cinema. The casting of American star Van Johnson in the role of the very English Maurice Bendrix was controversial but ultimately effective, while Deborah Kerr’s Sarah Miles is one of her finest and most emotionally complex performances. Peter Cushing, years before his association with horror films, delivers a quietly devastating performance as the cuckolded Henry. The film’s London locations provide an invaluable visual record of the city still bearing the scars of wartime bombing. Through colorization, this important literary adaptation is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes, professional AI-assisted colorization
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 105 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this based on the Graham Greene novel?
A: Yes, The End of the Affair is adapted from Greene’s 1951 novel, which is widely regarded as one of his finest and most personal works, drawing heavily on his own wartime affair.

Q: How does this compare to the 1999 version?
A: This 1955 adaptation is more restrained and period-appropriate in its treatment of the affair, while the Ralph Fiennes/Julianne Moore version is more explicit. Both are excellent interpretations of Greene’s complex novel.

Q: Is Peter Cushing in this film?
A: Yes, Peter Cushing delivers a moving performance as Henry Miles, the unknowing husband, years before he became famous for his roles in Hammer horror films and Star Wars.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in HD 720p resolution, compatible with virtually all modern devices and media players.

Q: Is the download DRM-free?
A: Yes, your purchase is completely DRM-free. You own the file outright and can watch it on any device without restrictions or recurring fees.

Q: How quickly will I receive the download?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment is confirmed. You can begin watching The End of the Affair (1955) Colorized within minutes of your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• Eye of the Devil (1966)
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