Is Quartet Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Quartet is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 120 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Quartet Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1948, Quartet emerges as a significant entry in the Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Somerset Maugham introduces four of his tales in this anthology film: "The Facts of Life," "The Alien Corn," "The Kite," and "The Colonel's Lady. Unlike standard genre fare, Quartet attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Quartet features a noteworthy lineup led by W. Somerset Maugham . Supported by the likes of Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Quartet (1948) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Quartet Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Quartet is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Quartet Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Quartet concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Quartet reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Quartet?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
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Full Cast & Crew of Quartet
- W. Somerset Maugham – Himself
- Basil Radford – Henry Garnet (segment "The Facts of Life")
- Naunton Wayne – Leslie (segment "The Facts of Life")
- Mai Zetterling – Jeanne (segment "The Facts of Life")
- Ian Fleming – Ralph (segment "The Facts of Life")
Top Highlights
W. Somerset MaughamHimself
Basil RadfordHenry Garnet (segment "The Facts of Life")
Naunton WayneLeslie (segment "The Facts of Life")
Mai ZetterlingJeanne (segment "The Facts of Life")
Ian FlemingRalph (segment "The Facts of Life")
Jack RaineThomas (segment "The Facts of Life")
Angela BaddeleyMrs. Garnet (segment "The Facts of Life")
James Robertson JusticeBranksome (segment "The Facts of Life")
Jack WatlingNicky Garnet (segment "The Facts of Life")
Nigel BuchananJohn (segment "The Facts of Life")
Parents Guide & Age Rating
Quartet has not been officially rated yet.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.2/10, and global collection metrics, Quartet stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1948 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quartet movie hit or flop?
Quartet has received mixed reviews with a 6.2/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Quartet worth watching?
Quartet is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Quartet online?
Quartet may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How Quartet Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Quartet
Introduced by the man himself, this is a compendium of four short stories from W. Somerset Maugham. Each deals with a scenario that looks at human nature, love, trust and integrity amongst a myriad of other emotions with the four directors taking a different slant to each of the tales. The cast is superb - all four feature perfectly fitting characters with the likes of Cecil Parker, Nora Swinburne, Mai Zetterling, Ian Fleming, George Cole, Honor Blackman and Dirk Bogarde all working their magic with the gently comedic writing. My favourite is probably the last one ("The Colonel's Lady") with Parker and Swinburne - it has something particularly classy and poignant about it as a married couple for over 30 years hit a few unexpected bumps on their otherwise tranquil road - she has published a book suggesting that she may have been unfaithful some years ago - before the couple address the effects time has had on their relationship. It is engagingly constructed and the stories, though different, are complementary to each other leaving us with a feeling akin to enjoying a good three course meal...
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
