Kind Hearts and Coronets

"He chopped down the family tree..."

Jun 14 1950 Approved 1h 46m
Comedy, Crime

When his mother eloped with an Italian opera singer, Louis Mazzini was cut off from her aristocratic family. After the family refuses to let her be buried in the family mausoleum, Louis avenges his mother's death by attempting to murder every family member who stands between himself and the family fortune. But when he finds himself torn between his longtime love and the widow of one of his victims, his plans go awry.

Plot

In prison awaiting execution the next morning, Louis, the 10th Duke of Chalfont, puts down on paper the events that led him to his current situation. His mother has been banished from her family, the D'Ascoynes, after she married Louis' father, who was considered far beneath her. After her death, the D'Ascoynes refused permission for her to be buried in the family crypt. Louis then plots his revenge, and kills all those ahead of him in the succession until he becomes the Duke. Along the way, he becomes involved with the married Sibelia who, when spurned, makes sure he ends up in prison. The day before his execution, Sibelia recants her testimony, saving him not only from the gallows, but also sets him free. Once outside the prison however, he realizes he's forgotten one little thing.

Written by

Roy Horniman, Robert Hamer, John Dighton

Directed by

Robert Hamer

Production Countries

United Kingdom

Production Companies

Ealing Studios

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award4 wins & 3 nominations total

Scores
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Average Rating
8 out of 10
Metascore
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