Lavish and luxurious poduction of the Alexandre Dumas clasic about a dying woman , Margarita Gautier nicknamed La Dame aux Camille : Greta Garbo, a beautiful woman who has found success as Parisian courtesan , but has never found love , until she has a love affaire for a younger and innocent gentleman called Armand : Robert Taylor , while another suitor, a wealthy Baron goes after her by giving money . Still, Camille agress to give him up, realizing her scandalous past will jeopardize hus future .

Nice film graced with the vulnerable and distant quality that only the great goddess Greta Greta Garbo could deliver by giving one of the best acting of her short career . As the attractive Garbo , beautifully dressed in gowns by Adrian, plays the sick courtesan providing sensibility and sweetness that only she could bring to character .The combined magic of Metro Golwyn Mayer's big studio and Greta's extraordinary presente along with the handsome Robert Taylor -soon to be one of MGM's biggest stars- legitimized this vintage film , an archaic creaker into an unforgettable flick. There are various adaptations based on this story , though this one remains the consummate rendition of this popular and tragic love story .

The motion picture was competently directed by George Cukor and it is still a masterpiece of its kind . Cukor was one of the best Hollywood filmmakers shooting several classic and successful movies with penchant for melodrama , comedy and musical, such as : David Copperfield, Little Women, Adam's rib , Born Yesterday , The Women , Corn is Green, Dinner at eight , My Fair Lady , Les Girls , Gaslight , A star is born , Philadelphia Story, Holiday , Heller in Pink Tights , I Should Happen to You, What price Hollywood? , Double Life , Woman's Face , and his last one : Rich and Famous, among others. Rating : 7/10 . Above average . This Alexandre Dumas story somewhat manages to escape the clichés and stands as one if the most telling monuments to Garbo's unique presente and magic in a movie . The yarn will appeal to Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor fans .

While I am a huge fan of the films of Hollywood's Golden Age, I not especially impressed by this classic film. Most of this, I think, is that the film hasn't aged well. The extreme melodrama and over-acting sat fine with early audiences, but today it just seems awfully silly and campy. While Greta Garbo's performance is at times way over-the-top, my biggest problem actually was the character played by her very ardent suitor, Robert Taylor. Despite very little apparent reason, he is totally smitten with a woman who is essentially a high-priced prostitute and chases her repeatedly even though she gave every indication through the first half of the movie that she was a heartless skank. As a result, Taylor just looked like a very pretty wimp--not the sort of man that anyone in the audience could respect. Only after being lied to and emotionally abused did he finally show some backbone--but by the end of the film, this had once again vanished and he was back to being a wimp. I sure would have liked to have Jimmy Cagney handle this role--he wouldn't have put up with it or chased after Garbo like a moon-eyed puppy! Now back to Garbo. While I have always felt that her performances have aged poorly (she was so often given scripts that were too formulaic and melodramatic), I must admit that the times in the movie when she needed to cry, she was incredible. This is especially true in the side shot of her as you see tears almost shooting from her eyes--that is great acting. But, then to have her droop around for so much of the film with what appeared to be TB detracted from the overall effort. It just seemed a bit overdone.

The same day I saw this film, I also saw the silent 1921 version starring Nazimova and Rudolph Valentino. For 1921, this style of film was perfect, but even by 1936, it must have caused a few groans among the patrons since the plot was definitely getting very old indeed. The only HUGE improvement in the 1936 film was the role played by Lionel Barrymore as Robert Taylor's dad--it was much more sensitive and compelling than the character in the earlier film and did a lot to give the story life.

The bottom line is that if you don't particularly care for old movies, this movie will probably be very dull and tough viewing. If you love old films, you might be able to look past its style and enjoy the picture--at times I could do this, but frankly there are just so many better romances out there.

"Perhaps it ill be better if I live in your heart, where the world can't see me. If I'm dead, there will be no staying of our love."

The novel/play by Alexandre Dumas Fils LA DAME AUX CAMELIAS has attracted a lot of artists. Verdi wrote his opera LA TRAVIATA basing its content on this play. The film industry have also made a lot of adaptations of the play from the period of silent era up till modern times. However, if one hears a movie title CAMILLE, what usually comes to one's mind is the film by George Cukor with Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor. Why? There is something magical about this version that made it stand a test of time, something that helped it be appreciated for almost seven decades. Is it performances, cinematography, or Garbo's presence that make it so enchanting to watch? The answer is not so easy because the movie is a masterpiece of beauty at multiple levels.

The performances are absolutely outstanding. It is difficult to say if Garbo gives her best performance in CAMILLE or GRAND HOTEL. I think that it is more a matter of personal preferences. One thing is sure - she does something more than acting. She totally feels the role, every movement, every gesture is extremely natural as if you were watching reality not a movie. As a result, Garbo achieves something really outstanding in CAMILLE, some kind of the ultimate masterpiece of performance. Robert Taylor very well fits to the role of Armand Duvall. He manages to stress the most important feature of his role - delicacy and sincerity. Henry Daniell is a perfect choice for Baron De Varville - cruel, unemotional, cynical, and very selfish. I shall never forget the scene when Marguerite plays a lyrical piece on the piano expecting Armand's visit. However, it is Baron who comes unexpectedly. While Armand is trying to get to the house, Baron plays the piano and Marguerite has to behave as if she wasn't expecting anyone. The scene ends with hysterical laughter of them both and a magnificent acting. Laura Hope Crews also gives a lovely performance as Prudence Duvernoy stressing her frivolity and extravagance. Consider her performance at the party at the mansion. Yet, Lionel Barrymore, though not given much time on screen, is memorable, particularly in the scene of his meeting with Marguerite. What a lovely presentation of two different world views! Not a better or a worse view but DIFFERENT views - Marguerite attached to love and emotions and Monsieur Duval to social ties and reputation.

The cinematography is superb. Almost each scene has a "soul" which makes watching the movie a real admiration of beauty. The most memorable decorations are in the scene in a candle-lit boudoir filled with delicate lighting and shadows. Marguerite is looking at her reflection in the mirror and suddenly notices Armand from behind. A delicate classic musical piece is being played in the background. UNFORGETTABLE! The film's gorgeous imagery is a very strong point for the movie.

Perhaps, you will wonder why I praise this movie so much. But if you asked me if I can ever forget CAMILLE, my answer would be "never" because the imagery of this movie and the effect it has on a viewer is endless. How is it possible to forget a beautiful scene of Marguerite's first meeting with Armand? Is it also possible to skip a lovely idyllic pastoral sequence with sheep and flowering trees? How to forget a touching moment when Gaston, Marguerite's true friend, is putting a beautiful bunch of camellias at her side while she is lying ill in bed? Finally, the touching final shot and Marguerite's beautiful words that I entailed at the beginning of my review. These words, which purely refer to spiritual love, are the last words that Marguerite says.

Yes, CAMILLE is a masterpiece, one of the very few movies that promotes real beauty. It is not only a tearjerker. It is not only a story of love. It is a movie that teaches high respect for precious values in life. 10/10!