Anthony Adverse (1936)

In the twilight of the 18th century, beneath Italy's vibrant skies, a stunning young woman is bound by marriage to a wealthy but heartless older man. Her heart, however, belongs to a man of younger years. When her husband uncovers this secret, fiery jealousy fuels a deadly swordfight, ending the life of her lover. In the aftermath, he embarks on a lengthy journey across the diverse landscapes of Europe, with his wife in tow. Their travels conclude tragically when she succumbs to death during childbirth. The indifferent husband, now a father, abandons the newborn at a convent. Here, the child grows under the stern watch of nuns until the age of ten, when he's taken under the wing of a local merchant. The boy is christened "Anthony Adverse", a name reflecting the misfortunes that mar his early life. Yet, this is just the onset of Anthony's trials. Destiny steers his path to Cuba, Africa, and the artistic heart of Paris, each location nurturing growth and hardship in equal measure. "Anthony Adverse" is a tale of a boy born from tragedy, navigating through a world as beautiful as it is cruel, in a quest for survival and, ultimately, meaning.

Anthony Adverse is an adventure movie featuring Fredric March and directed by Mervyn LeRoy.

Anthony Adverse is currently streaming on DIRECTV.