A Woman's Face (1941) (MOD)

In the 1940's Joan's career really started to unravel. She was no longer the sweet little working girl. Joan wanted to branch out and show her true acting capabilities, and "A Woman's Face" was her first shot at that, and one of her most ambitious feature presentations.In this gorgeous black and white film, Joan played Anna Holm, otherwise known as Ingrid Paulson. Anna lived with a severe facial scar that left her disfigured. Joan looked completely different as Anna because she was no longer glamorous or dressed to the nines. Even when she played the poorest working girl, Joan always looked devastatingly beautiful. In "A Woman's Face" she relied on her natural talent of acting to shine through by letting the viewers see a unique and diverse piece of her.Here are Miss Crawford's personal comments about this film: I have nothing but the best to say for "A Woman's Face." I finally shocked both the critics and the public into realizing the fact that I really was, at heart, a dramatic actress.The apparent self-hatred that Anna feels is very evident. This woman can hardly even look in the mirror, let alone allow anyone to look at her face. She is in constant pain. Because, like an old newspaper the world just threw her away and discarded her without a second thought. Anna would think nothing of conning anyone because she hates everyone, but most of all, she hates herself.Anna soon has a new lease on life, thanks to Dr. Dr. Gustaf Segert (played by the legendary Melvyn Douglas) who performs surgery on her face and transforms her into the beauty that we are all more familiar with. But she gets mixed up with her lover, Torsten Barring, (Conrad Veidt) who only wants to use her and take advantage of her for his own dishonest gain.This is one of those rare movies that Joan made where her true acting really shines brighter than anything else. It was also a rather unique picture because Joan's character was so corrupt, yet so vulnerable. I consider this role a pivotal part for Joan, just as Sadie Thompson was in  Rain  and  Harriet Craig  was (movie same title.) Because all of these women were so perpetually abused and all of them had so much hostility. But, "A Woman's Face" is altered from the others, because the transformation of Anna was perhaps more subtle and mysterious.The director of the film is the renowned George Cukor ( Camille  & Two Faced Woman ) and the film is 105 minutes in length. Like the majority of her movies, throughout her fifty year career, this movie was produced by MGM. And, like the majority of her films today, "A Woman's Face" is distributed by Warner Home Video.Some people can't believe that someone who's barely out of their teens would be infatuated with a woman who made movies half of a century ago. There is so much about Joan that fascinates me. She just gave so much of herself. She gave everything she had when she made a movie. Joan was the quintessential example of what a true movie star was (and should be.) And besides, there aren't any stars of my generation who have the talent, determination, stamina, drive and sheer will-power that Joan Crawford always possessed.

In most Crawford films she comes across larger then life, and the audience can't forget that they are watching Crawford. This is the first film I have seen with her where I did forget it was Crawford. I actually saw the character, not the star. You believe her performance as a tough burn victim with half a face.The story itself is good, not great, but entertaining. It almost feels like two films combined. Starts out with Crawford attempting to blackmail a ditsy women, to have her face restored, to pleasing her lover by planning on attempting to kill a small child. At the same time, the overall story is taking place in a court room where everything is a flashback.I can't say it is the best movie I have ever seen, but if you like Crawford pictures (especially her more later years dramatic ones like "The Damned Don't Cry"), I think you'll like this one as well.

This movie was astonishing! Joan, at the height of her beauty, allowed herself to be hideously scarred by the makeup department only to transform into an amazing human being from the monster that she was before her revelations. She gives an amazing performance and so does that villain, Conrad Veight. He was excellent. That little boy? Lars-Erik? He is adorable. The sleigh ride chase at the climax is not to be missed. Joan Crawford in a mink coat with a gun! What is better?

4 stars overall for this 1941 Movie on DVD.4 stars for Joan Crawford for her excellent and believable character portrayal as Anna Holm..3 stars for Melvyn Douglas, Conrad Veidt, and Osa Massen in primary roles.3 stars for Donald Meek and Marjorie Main in supporting roles..Told in several flashbacks from the vantage point of several witnesses in a murder trial. Movie is about a female blackmailer whose face was disfigured by a fire during her childhood. And the consequences of her decisions..Plastic surgery removal of this disfigurement has positive and negative repercussions on the alleged murder suspect. Several subplots converge at the end of the movie..Joan Crawford was an underrated dramatic actor..

I'm almost ashamed that until recently I didn't even know about this movie, but having watched it, I am amazed that it wasn't nominated for multiple awards, especially for Joan Crawford. Really wonderful, and deserves more recognition.

This is an MOD (made on demand) dvd -- essentially a DVD-R but slightly better in quality that most people make at home. Chapter marks are every 10 minutes, regardless of plot breaks. As this was one of Crawford's most known films, I wanted it for my collection, but would have preferred an actual DVD at least. Maybe someday it will be in Blu-ray -- when everything else is streaming....

This is a great movie for fans of Miss Crawford's early movies. I really prefer her earlier ones.

If you think Crawford couldn't act this is a film to see , she definitely gave a great but low key version hereA Hollywood version of a Swedish film starring Ingrid Bergman before she Cale to the US this Hollywood version has the signature MGM treatment complete with a more positive ending

Will play on a Canadian dvd player

Aunque no soy consumidor de DVD y es un formato que no me gusta nada, he de reconocer que Un Rostro de Mujer contiene un buen máster y que no me ha decepcionado. Además, se trata de un clásico inolvidable y extraordinario. Con ediciones así puedo pensar el comprar alguna película en DVD:

Definitely one of my favourites movies staring Joan Crawford (other being Mildred Pierce), so I was more than pleased to find this on Amazon, having searched for it on DVD format for years. Was a bit hesitant that it appears to be in Spanish but as the description said, there is an english audio option. Watched it immediately once I received it, and was captivated for the next 2 hours. A must for any Crawford fan.

Todo ok

I find this version more enjoyable than the Ingrid Bergmann original albeit that the changes to the plot sometimes stretch credulity. The disc itself was pristine and I would buy from this seller again. Indeed I have always been satisfied with the purchases made there.