Zeus

The Seventh Sin (1957)

• Directors
  • Ronald Neame
  • Vincente Minnelli(uncredited)
• Writers
  • Karl Tunberg(screenplay)
  • W. Somerset Maugham(novel "The Painted Veil")
• Stars
  • Eleanor Parker
  • Bill Travers
  • George Sanders

  A remake of The Painted Veil (which was itself based upon a novel by W. Somerset Maugham), The Seventh Sin stars Eleanor Parker as Carol Carwin, a cold, self-centered woman married to a caring, dedicated doctor (played by Bill Travers). Ignorant of what a fine man she is married to and eager for excitement, Carol has been having an affair with the more sensually appealing Paul Duvelle (Jean-Pierre Aumont). Dr. Carwin, about to leave on an expedition to Hong Kong to fight a terrible outbreak of cholera, confronts his wife about her infidelity. He gives her an ultimatum: she can either accompany him on his mission of mercy, or he will divorce her in a very public, very messy manner that will leave her a social outcast. Given this choice -- and given the fact that Duvelle would be appalled at the idea of such a scandal -- she goes with her husband. She is bored and angry in Hong Kong, amused only when in the company of the cynical Tim Waddington (George Sanders). Gradually, however, she comes to value her husband and her heart genuinely goes out to the victims of the epidemic, especially the children.