The Browning Version (1951)

In the hallowed halls of an English boys school, the stern and daunting figure of classics teacher Andrew Crocker-Harris casts a long, formidable shadow. Known to his students as "The Crock," his uncompromising strictness and unyielding sternness have earned him eighteen years of respect tinged with contempt. Today, under the weight of whispers and speculation, he makes his departure, having accepted a position at another institution. Crocker-Harris, a man of academic brilliance, is as renowned for his icy demeanor as he is for his intellectual prowess. His long tenure is met with apathy by the school administrators, who treat him with an unsettling disregard. Trapped in the shambles of his personal life, he grapples with a heart ailment that echoes the painful rhythm of his failing marriage. His vivacious younger wife, Millie, is a stark contrast to his austere persona, her youthful energy now directed towards a passionate affair with Frank Hunter, another teacher. Her love for her husband has long since vanished, replaced by a love for a man who cannot return her affections. Amidst the turmoil of his last day, an unexpected gesture of kindness emerges. Taplow, a student who harbors sympathy rather than hatred for "The Crock", presents him with a modest parting gift. This small token sets in motion a series of introspective revelations; a retrospective journey leading Crocker-Harris to confront his past, consider his future and decide how he will conclude his final chapter at the school. As he stands on the precipice of change, the cold, stoic teacher finds himself reevaluating the life he has led, the relationships he has fostered, and the legacy he will leave behind.

The Browning Version is a drama movie featuring Michael Redgrave.

The Browning Version is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy The Browning Version on Amazon Video and Apple TV.