The Wicked Lady (1945)

In the cobwebbed corners of seventeenth-century England, the innocent and unspoiled Caroline, on the brink of her wedding, invites her cousin and lifelong companion, Barbara Worth, from the bustling heart of London to share her joy. The man Caroline is set to marry is the affluent magistrate, Sir Ralph Skelton, a man who is about to be ensnared in Barbara's spider-like web of deceit. Barbara, whose nature is as wicked as her beauty is irresistible, cunningly seduces the unsuspecting Ralph, causing the heartbroken Caroline to call off the impending nuptials. Seizing this opportunity, Barbara weds Ralph, her unsuspecting victim, and thus begins her descent into a life of crime and thrill. When Barbara loses a cherished jewel, a keepsake from her mother, in a reckless game of chance with Lady Henrietta Kingsolver, she assumes the cloak and mask of the infamous highwayman, Captain Jerry Jackson. Not just to recoup her losses, but to taste the electrifying thrill of crime. Riding under the pall of darkness, she intercepts stagecoaches, her hunger for excitement growing with every daring heist. Her life takes a turn when she crosses paths with the real Jerry Jackson. The encounter sparks a fiery passion between them, transforming Barbara from a mere thief to a ruthless killer. At the same time, her husband, Ralph, finds his heart yearning for the pure love he once shared with Caroline. But it seems the sands of time may have run their course, leaving their love lost in the shadows of Barbara's wicked deeds. As Barbara further immerses herself in a life of crime and passion, she leaves a trail of chaos in her wake. Unaware that her biggest threat is her own doting husband, Ralph, the local magistrate. How much deeper will Lady Skelton sink into her criminal escapades, and at what cost? The tale of 'The Wicked Lady' is a thrilling journey into the heart of deceit, passion, and thrilling high-stakes adventure.

The Wicked Lady is an adventure movie featuring Margaret Lockwood and directed by Leslie Arliss.

The Wicked Lady is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy The Wicked Lady on Amazon Video and Apple TV.