Dark Victory

A poignant tale of love and loss as a woman confronts her mortality while striving to live fully.

Critics broadly admire Bette Davis's powerful performance and the film's poignant, expertly crafted melodrama, while acknowledging its manipulative sentiment and medically implausible ending.

• Judith becomes manic and depressive after learning the tumor will kill her, then pursues life intensely while her marriage to Steele unfolds
• The plot moves through her hope for a cure, the surgery, and the failing eyesight that signals she is dying
• Critics describe the film as a three-hanky melodrama that manipulates emotion expertly, with Davis dominating the tragic arc

• Camilleshared tragic romance melodrama, terminal illness weepie register, star-driven emotional intensity
• Stella Dallasshared 1930s Hollywood women's melodrama with a dying heroine and stoic doctor love interest
• Love Storyshared tearjerker romance about a doomed love and bravery in the face of death

Director

Edmund Goulding

Release Date

1939-04-20

Runtime

104 min

Rating

7.0 / 10 (168)

What is Dark Victory about?

A socialite facing a fatal brain tumor throws herself into love and life while her doctor husband searches for a cure.

What is Dark Victory like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dark Victory as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Dark Victory violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Dark Victory.

What did critics think of Dark Victory?

Critics broadly admire Bette Davis's powerful performance and the film's poignant, expertly crafted melodrama, while acknowledging its manipulative sentiment and medically implausible ending.

Which films are like Dark Victory?

Films with a similar feel include Camille, Stella Dallas, and Love Story.

How long is Dark Victory?

Dark Victory runs 104 minutes.

Where can I watch Dark Victory?

In United States, Dark Victory streams on Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player, Plex Channel, Tubi TV.