The Great Lie (1941) in Color — Starring Bette Davis & Mary Astor

The Great Lie (1941) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the powerful melodrama of The Great Lie (1941) in color for just €15.00. Directed by Edmund Goulding, this film features Bette Davis and Mary Astor in a riveting duel of wills, with Astor’s performance earning her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. George Brent co-stars in this tale of love, sacrifice, and deception. Available now as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for instant viewing on any device.

Plot Summary

Maggie Patterson (Bette Davis) is devastated when the man she loves, aviator Pete Van Allen (George Brent), impulsively marries glamorous concert pianist Sandra Kovak (Mary Astor) during a drunken evening. When the marriage is discovered to be legally invalid due to Sandra’s previous divorce not being finalized, Maggie seizes the opportunity and marries Pete herself. Shortly after their wedding, Pete departs on a dangerous flying assignment to South America and his plane goes missing, presumed crashed.

With Pete believed dead, Maggie learns that Sandra is pregnant with Pete’s child. Maggie, desperate for any connection to the husband she has lost, strikes a remarkable bargain with Sandra. She will finance Sandra’s seclusion during the pregnancy and in return, Sandra will give up the baby, allowing Maggie to raise the child as her own. Sandra, whose career ambitions and temperament make motherhood unappealing, agrees to the arrangement.

The two women retreat to a remote Arizona property where their uneasy alliance is tested through months of forced proximity. Sandra chafes under Maggie’s strict health regimen while Maggie struggles with jealousy and suspicion. Their relationship becomes a complex battle of wills that reveals unexpected depths in both women. When the baby is born, Sandra relinquishes the child as promised, and Maggie returns to society with the infant she claims as her own.

But Pete is found alive, and when he returns, the fragile construction of lies threatens to collapse. Sandra, now regretting her decision, wants her child back and has the ultimate weapon — the truth. Maggie must fight to keep both her husband and the child she has come to love as her own.

Cast & Crew

Director: Edmund Goulding

Stars: Bette Davis, Mary Astor, George Brent, Lucile Watson, Hattie McDaniel, Grant Mitchell

While Bette Davis took top billing, it was Mary Astor who stole the film and won the Oscar, bringing fierce intelligence and complexity to what could have been a simple villainess role. Davis herself reportedly helped rewrite Astor’s scenes to strengthen the character. Lucile Watson provides sharp comedy as Pete’s aristocratic aunt, and Hattie McDaniel brings warmth as Maggie’s devoted companion.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized edition of The Great Lie transforms the visual experience with rich period detail. The contrast between Maggie’s elegant Maryland estate and the harsh Arizona desert becomes vivid and dramatic, while Sandra’s glamorous concert gowns and Maggie’s understated wardrobe visually express their opposing personalities. The emotional power of the central performances gains an added dimension of intimacy in color. Now also available in colour.

Buy your DRM-free MP4 copy today for just €15.00 and enjoy instant download access on any device.

Historical Significance

Released in 1941, The Great Lie earned Mary Astor the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a performance that Davis herself championed. The film is notable for the creative collaboration between its two leading ladies, who reportedly worked together to strengthen their scenes beyond the original screenplay. Edmund Goulding’s sensitive direction allows both actresses to create complex, sympathetic characters in a story that defies simple moral judgments. Through colorization, this compelling drama is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes, from original black-and-white
• Audio: Original English mono
• Runtime: 108 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — play on any device
• Instant download: Delivered immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Did Mary Astor really win an Oscar for this film?
A: Yes, Mary Astor won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Sandra Kovak. Bette Davis was instrumental in strengthening Astor’s role, and the two reportedly collaborated on rewriting many of their scenes together.

Q: Is the rivalry between Davis and Astor genuine or just acting?
A: Contrary to expectations, Davis and Astor worked together harmoniously on the film. Davis, already an established star, actively helped improve Astor’s part because she understood that a stronger antagonist would make the film better for both of them.

Q: What role does Tchaikovsky’s music play in the film?
A: Astor’s character is a concert pianist, and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 features prominently in the film. The musical performances add cultural depth and help establish Sandra as a woman of genuine artistic talent, complicating any simple reading of her as villain.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file compatible with all major devices and media players.

Q: Is this download DRM-free?
A: Yes, the file has no digital rights management restrictions, so you can watch it on any device without limitations.

Q: How quickly will I receive my download?
A: Instantly — a download link appears on screen and is also sent to your email immediately after purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• Now, Voyager (1942)
• The Letter (1940)
• Dark Victory (1939)
• The Maltese Falcon (1941)
• Jezebel (1938)