AllMovie

Although it condenses and simplifies things rather too much, this is a very effective adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's The Light That Failed. It may indeed be a little too effective for those who do not buy into Kipling's world view, which tends to emphasize the beauty of male friendship and to cast suspicion on the worthiness of women in general. For those who can put this aside, The Light That Failed will prove a very moving and involving melodrama. Certainly, director William Wellman has done an excellent job of creating atmosphere and period, and of building up the strengths of the story and allowing the characters to come through vividly. He is helped enormously by Ronald Colman and Ida Lupino, both of whom are perfectly cast and turn in stunning performances. Colman, of course, is the glue that holds the picture together, and he uses his mellifluous voice to wonderful effect. His work throughout is outstanding, but never more so than as the film nears its end and the hero's life continues down its tragic path. Lupino is his match, delivering a turn that is startling in its intensity and bravado; there's a very good reason why this role proved a turning point in her career and put Hollywood on notice that she was a force to be reckoned with. These two performances by themselves would make the movie worth watching (and make up for Walter Huston's rather mannered effort herein).