21 Days Together (1940)
Directed by Basil Dean and produced by Alexander Korda, 21 Days Together (released in the UK simply as 21 Days) is a brooding British romantic crime drama adapted from John Galsworthy’s 1919 play The First and the Last. The film stars real-life couple Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, whose off-screen chemistry adds a layer of emotional intensity to this tale of love under moral siege.
Plot Summary
Larry Darrent (Laurence Olivier), a barrister, accidentally kills his lover’s estranged husband during a confrontation. His brother, Keith (Leslie Banks), a respected judge, urges him to remain silent—especially when another man is arrested for the crime. Larry agrees, but the guilt gnaws at him.
He and Wanda (Vivien Leigh) decide to spend the next 21 days together, knowing that once the trial ends, Larry must either confess or let an innocent man hang. Their time becomes a bittersweet escape, filled with stolen joy and looming dread. The film ends with Larry choosing conscience over freedom, surrendering to the law as Wanda watches him walk away.
Cast Highlights
- Vivien Leigh as Wanda
- Laurence Olivier as Larry Darrent
- Leslie Banks as Keith Darrent
- Francis L. Sullivan, Robert Newton, and Elliott Mason in supporting roles
Behind the Scenes Trivia
- Though filmed in 1937, the movie’s release was delayed until 1940 due to internal studio politics and concerns about its dark themes.
- This was one of the earliest screen pairings of Leigh and Olivier, who were romantically involved but not yet married. Their chemistry was so palpable that it reportedly caused tension on set.
- The screenplay was co-written by Graham Greene, who added psychological nuance and moral ambiguity to Galsworthy’s original play.
- Director Basil Dean clashed with Olivier during production, leading to a strained working relationship. Olivier later criticized Dean’s direction as “pedestrian.”
- The film’s title was changed to 21 Days Together for the U.S. release to emphasize the romantic angle over the legal drama.
