IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > The Private Affairs of Bel Ami (1947)

The Private Affairs of Bel Ami (1947) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   160 votes
Your Rating:
Saving vote...
Deleting vote...
/10   (delete | history)
Sorry, there was a problem
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Guy de Maupassant (novel) and
Albert Lewin (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Private Affairs of Bel Ami on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 April 1947 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
Writer Georges Duroy (George Sanders) is one social-climbing S.O.B. who does most of his climbing over the warm (and cold) bodies of women... more | add synopsis
User Reviews:
The Eternal Cad more (8 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Women of Paris (USA) (reissue title)
more
Runtime:
USA:112 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #12023, Adult Audience)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The producers held a contest for artists to create a painting about the temptation of Saint Anthony for use in the film. Although Max Ernst won the contest and got his painting on screen, Salvador Dalí's contribution (featuring a parade of spider-legged elephants tormenting the saint) became better known. more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: At 9', a piano player and a violin player are doing a number. We hear a vibrato on the violin, but the left fingers of the player are not moving at all. more
Movie Connections:
Version of "Bel Ami" (1971) more
Soundtrack:
My Bel Ami more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
7 out of 7 people found the following review useful.
The Eternal Cad, 1 January 2007
7/10
Author: bkoganbing from Buffalo, New York

The Private Affairs of Bel Ami gave George Sanders to play a leading role as Guy de Maupassant's gentleman cad who rises in Parisian society over the bodies of a number of seduced and abandoned women. Sanders is a former dragoon who uses his charm to acquire money and power and in the end a title of minor nobility in Third Republic France. The one woman whom he truly loves, Angela Lansbury, is forever lost to him. Would she have brought him real happiness? It's for the audience to judge.

The comparisons between Bel Ami and Sanders's Oscar winning Addison DeWitt have to be made. Both men are cynics about human nature, but whereas theater critic DeWitt is an observer and a behind the scenes manipulator of others, Bel Ami is doing it all for his own advancement. Both performances have that touch of cad about them and they rank as some of the best work George Sanders did.

Look for good performances from John Carradine as Sanders's only true male friend and Angela Lansbury who he loves, but who can't give him the social standing he needs.

Also of course look for Warren William in his farewell role as Sanders's main antagonist. A not very brave, but a fairly shrewd sort, Sanders regularly bests him until the very end.

The Private Affairs of Bel Ami was a rather daring film for Code run Hollywood, it doesn't surprise me it was an independent movie, released by United Artists.

Fans of The Eternal Cad George Sanders will eat it up.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (8 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Private Affairs of Bel Ami (1947)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Devil Wears Prada Madame Bovary Dangerous Liaisons Chocolat The Hours
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.