The Light That Failed
The Light That Failed Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 11, 2026
Movie Overview: The Light That Failed
| Movie | The Light That Failed |
| Release Year | 1939 |
| Director | William A. Wellman |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 97 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Light That Failed (1939) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Light That Failed are led by Ronald Colman . The supporting cast, including Walter Huston and Muriel Angelus , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Light That Failed does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Light That Failed has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Light That Failed
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1939, The Light That Failed is a Drama film directed by William A. Wellman. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ronald Colman.
Ending Explained: The Light That Failed
The Light That Failed Ending Explained: Directed by William A. Wellman, The Light That Failed attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Ronald Colman. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Light That Failed reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Light That Failed?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Light That Failed
All Cast & Crew →



























The Light That Failed Parents Guide & Age Rating
1939 AdvisoryWondering about The Light That Failed age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Light That Failed is 97 minutes (1h 37m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Light That Failed is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1939 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Light That Failed worth watching?
The Light That Failed is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Light That Failed parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Light That Failed identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Light That Failed?
The total duration of The Light That Failed is 97 minutes, which is approximately 1h 37m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Light That Failed
How The Light That Failed Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Light That Failed
Rudyard Kipling excelled at telling tales of Empire - his detailed knowledge and vivid imagination has been the source of many a strong adventure. This one is a bit different though. Ronald Colman ("Dick") is a war correspondent in the Sudan who is injured in action. Sent back home to convalesce, he becomes a bit of a sensation with this paintings and after meeting childhood sweetheart "Maisie" (Murial Angelus) again, things look set fair. Unfortunately, he begins to notice that his eyesight isn't what it was, and after consulting a physician, he learns that he is going blind. He decides to go out with a bang - his masterpiece - and so decides to paint "Betty" (Ida Lupino) a young girl living with his best friend "Torpenhow" (Walter Huston) who helped save him in the desert. When his work is complete, jealousy rears it's ugly head and he is left with little else than to return to the army, again as a correspondent, where he once more rides against the Dervishes. At times, this is quite slow - but Colman and Angelus have a certain charm to their performance, and as the artist's eyesight deteriorates, I did feel a certain degree of sympathy for this rapidly declining melancholic man soon to be robbed of much of his raison d'être. I wasn't so sure of Lupino - her efforts just a bit forced and her dialogue doesn't really allow her character to come across as much more than an angry young woman. I could have done with a little more action, the romances subsume it largely after about twenty minutes; but it is still an enjoyable watch.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Ronald Colman










