MovieChat Forums > The Seventh Veil (1946) Discussion > I don't understand the ending

I don't understand the ending

posted 14 years ago by sc_taylor
15 replies | jump to latest

How does she come to choose to spend her life with Nicholas who has brutalised her and tried to smash her hands to ruin her musical career "If you won't play for me, you will play for no one!" He has shown her nothing but coldness and disdain.

She has two other guys to choose from, both of whom love her very much. What on Earth is she doing choosing Nicholas? It goes completely against the run of the film.

I guess in the pathology of the 1940s women were supposed to accept brutality and contempt from men and consider it their lot.

Did anyone else find the ending surprising and unbelievable?

[–] SiggieHolmes 13 years ago

It's SM dear

You can 'elp me gather some Hollyhocks!

[–] mister_tmg 13 years ago

Yes, it is a bit bizarre. We can only come to the conclusion she likes being dominated!

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Skating and sinning...

[–] generalusgrant 12 years ago

Though I'm in no way excusing Nicholas' brutality, you are ignoring one obvious fact: James Mason was incrddibly sexy in this role and almost impossibly handsome. The men that Francesca cavorts about with are ugly dogs compared to James Mason. Obviously Francesca isn't blind and his voice, male beauty and sexiness were going to cast a spell on her. What woman would say no to James Mason!??

[–] manderstoke 11 years ago

No woman in her right mind would say no to James Mason.

In the film book, Francesca frequently notes Nicholas' beauty and seems quite captured by it, even as she opposes him at every step, using passive-aggressive tactics. I think for awhile she is a perfect foil to him, but begins to lose ground not because of his behavior, but because of her conflicted feelings for him. Finally, the love/hate dynamic overwhelms her and she retreats into a quasi-catatonic state. As for Nicholas, in the end, his desire for her to be well wins out and he begs (yes, Nicholas begs) her to return to therapy, even though he fears this means that he will lose her. Our Nicholas, not always the selfish monster he portrays himself as.

[–] mcannady1 9 years ago

Movie girl: This is well-said, too Manderstoke! Yes. they developed a growing love for each other which was fraught with conflict. Nicholas was all for Francesca returning to therapy because he loved her and wanted her to get well. Though he might lose her, he had to take the chance.

Also, the scene where he smashes at the piano keys with his cane was Nicholas's
anger and an inner fear that he was losing ground. His ward might leave and marry or live with Max the painter.

Franceasca tells Max that she feels very controlled by Nicholas. He asks why she
remains there and she does not know. Here we see that she is becoming aware of
her regard for Nicholas, but soon leaves with Max. She is definitely conflicted in her feelings.

[–] bonettastiltfur 12 years ago

Her father died when she was 6, her mother died when she was 14. Read up on the psychology of orphans.

[–] georgeuriah 12 years ago

I just saw this movie yesterday and I was ready to start a similar topic, until I found out your board! You've got a point, it's pretty bizarre, especially when this person has recently shown that he is capable of, when someone doesn't do his bidding. Maybe bonettastilftur is right about orphan psychology, it still seems a peculiar choice. Why didn't she choose the musician? After all, he was divorced and he really seemed like a guy that could bring laughter in her life. Heck, you never can be sure with the ladies!!

[–] Midgegirl 11 years ago

In the original screenplay written by Sidney & Muriel Box, she chose Peter the band leader. But James Mason and his then wife felt that was "dull" and it would be more "interesting" to go off with Nicholas. Practically, it made sense for the heroine to go off with the biggest British male movie star of the 1940s, but within the pretext of the film, I suppose therapy has made her a strong woman who can now stand up for herself (if only these things really did work so easily!) and the truest bond she ever made was with her hither-to unacknowledged soul-mate Nicholas. Now that she's strong, she won't be overwhelmed by him, and by extension of her own therapy, Nicholas will learn that his domineering attitude was actually due to repressed love. Ridiculous, I know, but that's gothic melodrama for you. I liked it; just don't let impressionable girls believe it's a decent paradigm for their own love-lives.

[–] denham 11 years ago

Dr Larsen says, 'She's no longer afraid - whether you will be entirely satisfied with the change in her, I don't know.' Nicholas looks apprehensive and decides to make his exit. Francesca rushes to him and they embrace. THE END. What happens afterwards is that the cane is transferred from a male to a female hand, and it is going to see frequent and vigorous service...

"I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken."

[–] Jamal-Nazreddin 11 years ago

Yes, you're right. I wish we could get to see a glimpse of their passionate relationship.

The ending is too rushed; I had to rewind to see her choose Nicholas.

[–] manderstoke 10 years ago

Of course she chooses Nicholas, who is the one who loves and cherishes her. Peter, who may or may not have been in love with her seven years ago, announces his current feelings when he says that turning back the clock never did anyone any good. So much for where he stands. As for Max, even when Dr. Larsen tells him that without continued therapy, Francesca will only suffer more. What does Larsen say - "It is a risk I am prepared to take." Ha. Easy for him to say. It is Francesca who will be taking the risk. In the end, Nicholas (cold, aloof, contemptuous) wants what is best for Francesca and begs (yes, he begs) her to return to Larsen, even though he fears that he will lose her. So, who really is in love with Francesca?

[–] manderstoke 10 years ago

Sorry, correction to previous post. It should read: What does Max say - "It is a risk I am prepared to take."

[–] smdpi-mail-com 10 years ago

When I first watched the film, I was appalled that she chose Nicholas, but as I've come to watch it more over the years, I realise that in the end, he wanted what was best for her, and she comes to understand his emotionally fractured state, and knows that he would never really hurt her.

[–] mcannady1 9 years ago

Movie girl: I feel the same. Nicholas had an inherent love for his ward for a
long time. In suppressing his feelings he appeared cold and disdainful.

Nicholas wanted what was best for this lovely girl he had come to admire, but fears
she will leave. After her second attempt for freedom (in running off with Max) he is devastated and initially feared he had injured Francesca with his cane. When he learns from Dr. Laydon that it is emotional damage, Nicholas wants to do everything he can for his ward. Ay first he is annoyed when the doctor plays a record Francesca had made of her piano playing and breaks it. Dr. Laydon says that now he knows what Nichols's true feelings are.

It is very touching in the end. WE see Nicholas sadly limping into the library and
closing the door. He cannot bear to watch which man she will choose - Max or Peter.
When Francesca runs down the stairs both men are watching from the bottom of the
stairwell. She bestows a lovely smile on them and rushes past them to the library door which she now opens with confidence. I am always thrilled by the scene where she rushes to Nicholas for his embrace.

[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 8 years ago

I commented on the ending elsewhere, but I do want to say, I think the filmmakers did a fabulous job - much better than is generally done in film, certainly today, but even back in 1945 - showing true humanity in the (male especially) characters.

Nicholas spends most of the film giving the impression he's selfish, controlling, a real bastard. At the end he exhibits true caring, selflessness and love towards FrancescaLikewise, the painter (Leighton, I believe), while caring and loving toward Francesca, exhibits traits that might lead the audience to believe he, also, just wants to possess Francesca (he flat out refuses the doctor's pleas to let him continue treating her, his immediate displeasure at seeing Nicholas visiting her at the end, etc). Only Peter Gay is shown in a 100% positive light. I found this shading very realistic, and loved seeing it.