Sanctuary


1h 40m 1961

Brief Synopsis

In the Misssissippi of the 20s, the black maid of a white woman, tormented by her love affiars, kills the latter's newborn in order to give her employer a way out of a predicament, but then ends up facing the death penalty for her crime.

Film Details

Genre
Drama
Adaptation
Release Date
Jan 1961
Premiere Information
New York opening: 21 Feb 1961
Production Company
Darryl F. Zanuck Productions, Inc.
Distribution Company
Twentieth Century--Fox Film Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Sanctuary by William Faulker (New York, 1931) and his novel Requiem for a Nun (New York, 1951) and the play Requiem for a Nun by Ruth Ford (New York, 26 Nov 1957).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 40m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Synopsis

In 1928, in the county of Yoknapatawpha, Mississippi, Nancy Mannigoe, a 30-year-old Negro woman, is condemned to death for the willful murder of the infant son of Mrs. Gowan Stevens, the former Temple Drake. On the eve of the scheduled execution, Temple tries to save Nancy by telling her father, the governor, of the events leading up to the murder. Six years earlier, Temple was a pleasure-loving college girl carrying on a flirtatious romance with young Gowan Stevens. One night Gowan got drunk and took her to a backwoods still where she was raped by Candy Man, a Cajun bootlegger. The next morning, although in a state of semi-shock, she willingly submitted to more of his lovemaking and then agreed to live with him in a New Orleans brothel. Nancy became her personal maid, and Temple reveled in her new life, until Candy Man was reported killed in an auto accident and Temple was forced to go home. Marriage to Gowan followed; but for Temple it was a dull life, and she hired Nancy as a servant to remind her of the brothel life she had loved so much. Suddenly, Candy Man returned, and Temple decided to abandon her home and marriage and once more run off with him. To bring Temple to her senses and prevent her from ruining her life, Nancy sacrificed the infant child by smothering it to death. Though shocked by the candor of his daughter's confession, the governor is unable to grant a pardon for Nancy. The next morning Temple visits Nancy in her cell. As the two women beg each other's forgiveness, Temple realizes that it is only through Nancy's sacrifice that she has been able to find salvation.

Film Details

Genre
Drama
Adaptation
Release Date
Jan 1961
Premiere Information
New York opening: 21 Feb 1961
Production Company
Darryl F. Zanuck Productions, Inc.
Distribution Company
Twentieth Century--Fox Film Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Sanctuary by William Faulker (New York, 1931) and his novel Requiem for a Nun (New York, 1951) and the play Requiem for a Nun by Ruth Ford (New York, 26 Nov 1957).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 40m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

Faulkner's Sanctuary was filmed by Paramount in 1933 and released as The Story of Temple Drake.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1994

Released in United States Spring March 1961

American feature directorial debut for Tony Richardson.

Scope

Released in United States 1994 (Shown in New York City (Walter Reade) as part of program "Laughter in the Dark: Tony Richardson" August 26 - September 13, 1994.)

Released in United States Spring March 1961