The Divided Heart (1954)
Directed by Charles Crichton
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Based on a true story, The Divided Heart is an effective, high-gloss British soap opera. Cornell Borchers stars as Inga, a young German woman who disappears and is presumed killed during WW2. Inga's infant son is placed in an orphanage; years later, the boy is adopted by childless couple Sonja (Yvonne Mitchell) and Franz (Armin Dahmen). The adoptive parents' future happiness is shattered when Inga returns, insisting that the child be returned to her. The film is scrupulously fair to both Inga and Sonja, giving generous screen time to the wartime horrors experienced by the former and the eminent parental suitability of the latter. Of the supporting cast, Alexander Knox stands out as the judge presiding over the climactic custody battle.
Characteristics
Keywords
adoption, biological-family [vs. adoptive], boy, child, claim, concentration-camp, couple, custody, custody-battle, death, dilemma, father, foster-family, Germany, maternal, mother, natural, parent, partisan, return, sentimental, shoot-out, sister, son, wound [injury]
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