Overview
A passionate romance unfolds against the backdrop of political intrigue and societal expectations.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- romantic
- wistful
- melodramatic
- classic movie night
- historical romance night
What critics said
Critics broadly admire the film’s sympathetic treatment of its famous love affair, Vivien Leigh’s performance, and its impressive period presentation, while finding the historical spectacle sometimes dilutes the intimate drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Emma Hamilton and Horatio Nelson’s famous relationship is placed against the Napoleonic Wars and British diplomatic history.
The romance unfolds through ambassadors’ residences, royal courts, naval settings, and expansive historical scenes.
The film’s 1941 production context and depiction of Nelson’s service connect the lovers’ drama to contemporary British morale.
Emma moves from financial insecurity and uncertain social standing to life as Lady Hamilton and an intimate of the Neapolitan court.
Films like That Hamilton Woman, and why
Fire Over England
lavish period romance centered on a famous adulterous love affair and charismatic performers
Mayerling
classic biographical romance combining court intrigue, historical spectacle, and doomed passion
Gone with the Wind
romantic historical drama shaped by wartime politics, social hierarchy, and emotionally heightened performances
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
old hollywood period melodrama about forbidden love against a broad historical backdrop
Movie Details
- Director
- Alexander Korda
- Release Date
- 1941-04-03
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (95)
Cast
- Vivien Leigh
- Laurence Olivier
- Alan Mowbray
- Sara Allgood
- Gladys Cooper
- Henry Wilcoxon
- Heather Angel
- Halliwell Hobbes
- Gilbert Emery
- Miles Mander
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is That Hamilton Woman about?
- A lavish classic romance dramatizing Emma Hamilton’s passionate relationship with Admiral Nelson amid the courts and conflicts of Napoleonic Europe.
- What is That Hamilton Woman like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of That Hamilton Woman as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is That Hamilton Woman violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in That Hamilton Woman as mild.
- What did critics think of That Hamilton Woman?
- Critics broadly admire the film’s sympathetic treatment of its famous love affair, Vivien Leigh’s performance, and its impressive period presentation, while finding the historical spectacle sometimes dilutes the intimate drama.
- Which films are like That Hamilton Woman?
- Films with a similar feel include Fire Over England, Mayerling, Gone with the Wind, and The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex.
- How long is That Hamilton Woman?
- That Hamilton Woman runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch That Hamilton Woman?
- In United States, That Hamilton Woman streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
