Bearing no small resemblance to Maytime and Smiling Through without the other worldly visits, Enchantment is a delightful film about two generations of romance in an English family. David Niven as one of three siblings and the family butler Leo G. Carroll both play young and later on are heavily made up for old age which in this film is during World War II.At that time the only occupants of the old family estate are Niven and Carroll when a niece from America arrives in the person of Evelyn Keyes. She has made a promise to her father who is Philip Friend now deceased to look up her uncle, the last of that generation. A rather crotchety Niven bereft of his usual charm in old age reluctantly takes her in. Soon enough she takes herself a fella in flier Farley Granger who is a nephew of Niven's lost love.Back to those days before World War I and the children who grow up to be David Niven, Philip Friend, and Jayne Meadows are told that they are taking in an orphan girl who is the daughter of their father's friend who with his wife was recently killed in a train wreck.The boys are agreeable enough, in fact as adults they're most interested in the girl who grows up to be Teresa Wright. But Cinderella's stepsisters never treated Wright the way Meadows does. She never misses a chance to demean her and when the boys especially Niven show any interest she schemes like mad to keep them apart.Meadows who as I write this is the last survivor of the adult cast members is one cool, calculating and incredibly evil woman. Sam Goldwyn who produced Enchantment should have pushed for a Best Supporting Oscar for her. This may be her career role.If you know what happens in Maytime and in Smiling Through you have some idea how all this ends. But don't skip Enchantment and its message of when true love comes along only trust your heart.

I just saw this movie this morning at 4 am, and found it like many other oldies to be a goodie. A well told story, with complexity and sentiment woven together like a fine tapestry. Not a particular David Niven fan, but like Cary Grant, he possessed a kind of boyish sincerity and vulnerability that was probably a big part of his appeal.But...if you enjoyed this movie and seek something similar, and especially if you are a Niven fan, then look for "A Matter of Life and Death," AKA "Stairway to Heaven." This film is equal to "Enchantment," and that is a high compliment. Good luck in finding it, and enjoy.

This is possibly David Niven's very best performance. It took several scenes before I realized that it was actually a heavily made-up Niven who was portraying the elderly Rollo. Even Niven's voice is different for the elder Rollo - about an octave lower - than for the younger Rollo! He portrays the younger Rollo, with his usual charm, panache and sympathy. Niven's performance is worth the effort to see this movie; I gained much respect for him as an actor.Likewise, Teresa Wright is perfect as Lark. While I regard her more as cute (possibly "pretty"), rather than beautiful, she always radiates a glow. Her eyes are extremely expressive; they sparkle with soulfulness. Little Gigi Pereau, as the young Lark, initially steals our hearts, and it would have been great to see more of her. However, as the older Lark, Teresa Wright, is no less effective in her "larceny" than her young counterpart. We embrace her and root for her through the entire film. She is excellent.The best performance, however, is given by Jayne Meadows as Selena. Selena is a more complex character, and Meadows delivers a nuanced performance. From the moment of her arrival, little Lark arouses feelings of jealousy and insecurity in young Selena (who has also lost her own mother). These feelings mold the character portrayed by Meadows, yet so do the feelings of love and responsibility she feels toward her brothers - especially Rollo. Meadows' Selena never comes across as a mere evil step-sister. Her affection and concern for Rollo (however misdirected) always come across as genuine. Although we do not like Selena, we understand her. She is never one-dimensional.Another commentator has provided great insight into the scene transitions. They are masterful and set the story-telling apart. This film is a technical treat - in any age. The costumes, sets, props - everything is first-rate.BUT, this is not a love story. It is two stories told simultaneously, much like the more recent "French Lieutenant's Woman." Each informs the other. ONE of the stories is a love story, but the other is a story of UNFULFILLED love. Rollo, having missed out on the love of his life, becomes intent on seeing his niece, Grizel, and her Canadian beau, Pax, avoid the same mistake he made. In the end, it seems that he succeeds with them where he failed in his own life.The failure of Lark and Rollo to get together is due more to the common (and annoying) plot device of miscommunication (or more precisely, total lack of communication) between the two sweethearts than to Selena's machinations. That lack of communication between people who are supposedly in love is very frustrating for me to watch. Consequently I found Lark and Rollo's love story more frustrating than romantic - as I do the plethora of films that rely on this overused device. Thus, while the latter love story between Grizel and Pax ends happily, the earlier love story between Lark and Rollo does not. So if you like stories about love's being fulfilled, this movie may not satisfy you: half of it ends unhappily.

I saw the movie Enchantment in 1948 when I was 11 years old. I was so moved by the story, when I returned home I wrote down the complete story, so I would never forget. I have seen the movie 5 times in the last 50 years and if I owned the movie I would watch it every week.