Watch Beware of Pity

Beware of Pity, directed by Maurice Elvey, is a dramatic film based on the novel of the same name by Stefan Zweig. The movie is set in the years leading up to World War I and depicts the complex relationship between a solider and a young woman with a physical disability. The story follows Anton Hofmiller (Albert Lieven), a young cavalry officer in the Austrian army, who is invited to a party hosted by a wealthy landowner, Herr von Kekesfalva (Cedric Hardwicke). There, he meets Edith de Kekesfalva (Lilli Palmer), Herr von Kekesfalva's daughter, who is confined to a wheelchair due to a spinal condition. Anton feels sorry for Edith and asks her to dance, but the encounter leaves a lasting impact on both of them.

Anton, not wanting to hurt Edith's feelings, continues to visit her regularly, and the two form a close bond. Edith becomes infatuated with Anton, while Anton gradually realizes that he has feelings for her, but is hesitant to act on them due to her disability.

However, when Anton mistakenly believes that Edith has feelings for him and proposes marriage, he is met with a shocking response. Edith rejects his proposal, and Anton realizes that his pity for her had clouded his judgment and that he had misinterpreted their relationship.

As tensions rise in Europe and war becomes imminent, Anton is sent to the front lines, where he is traumatized by the horrors of war. He is eventually injured and returns to his hometown, where he hopes to see Edith once again.

Beware of Pity is a masterful exploration of human emotions and the complexities of relationships. The film features exceptional performances from the lead actors, particularly Lilli Palmer, who portrays Edith with a nuanced and heartbreaking performance.

The film's cinematography is also noteworthy, with striking visuals that capture the era's opulence and the brutality of war. The film's exploration of disability and the social stigmas that often accompany it is ahead of its time and still resonates with modern audiences.

Overall, Beware of Pity is a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful film that beautifully captures the human experience.