The Swan (1956)
A luminous Grace Kelly leads this elegant MGM romantic comedy about a princess torn between royal duty and the allure of an unexpected romance.
The Swan - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Swan
- Release Year: 1956
- Directed by: Charles Vidor
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Romance, Drama, Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 26, 1956 (United States), December 6, 1956 (Germany - 6), January 18, 1975 (South Korea)
- Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Swan - Plot
Princess Beatrice's days of enjoying the regal life are numbered unless her only daughter, Princess Alexandra, makes a good impression on a distant cousin when he pays a surprise visit to their palace. Prince Albert has searched all over Europe for a bride and he's bored by the whole courtship routine. He is more interested in the estate's dairy than Alexandra's rose garden. And then he starts playing football with the tutor and Alexandra's brothers. Invite the tutor to the ball that night and watch how gracefully Alexandra dances with him.
The Swan - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the timeless elegance of this classic MGM romance unfold:
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The Swan - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Charles Vidor
Main Cast
- Grace Kelly
- Alec Guinness
- Louis Jourdan
- Agnes Moorehead
- Jessie Royce Landis
- Brian Aherne
- Leo G. Carroll
- Estelle Winwood
- Van Dyke Parks
- Christopher Cook
Writers
- John Dighton
Producers
- Dore Schary
The Swan - FAQs
Where can you watch The Swan (1956)?
The Swan (1956) is available to rent or buy digitally through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. It is not currently available on a major subscription streaming platform, so purchasing or renting through one of these digital storefronts is the most accessible option for viewers today.
Was The Swan Grace Kelly's final film?
The Swan was one of Grace Kelly's last films before she retired from acting to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco in April 1956. Her role as Princess Alexandra — a noblewoman pressured into a royal marriage — carried a poignant real-life resonance, as Kelly herself was transitioning from Hollywood star to actual royalty at the time of the film's release.
Who are the main actors in The Swan?
The Swan stars Grace Kelly as Princess Alexandra, Alec Guinness as Prince Albert, and Louis Jourdan as Dr. Nicholas Agi, the charming tutor. The supporting cast includes Agnes Moorehead, Jessie Royce Landis, Brian Aherne, Leo G. Carroll, and Estelle Winwood, forming an accomplished ensemble of classic Hollywood and international talent.
What is The Swan (1956) about?
The Swan follows Princess Alexandra, whose mother schemes to secure her future by impressing a visiting royal suitor, Prince Albert. However, Alexandra finds herself drawn to the family's witty tutor, Dr. Nicholas Agi. The film is a graceful romantic comedy of manners exploring duty, desire, and the constraints placed on women of noble birth.
Who directed The Swan (1956)?
The Swan was directed by Charles Vidor, the Hungarian-American filmmaker known for his polished work on classic Hollywood productions. Vidor brought an elegant, continental sensibility to the film, well-suited to its aristocratic European setting and the refined performances of its distinguished cast.
Is The Swan based on a true story or a play?
The Swan is based on a 1920 Hungarian play by Ferenc Molnár titled 'A Hattyú.' The screenplay was adapted by John Dighton. The story had previously been filmed twice before — as a silent film in 1925 and again in 1930 — making the 1956 version the third and most celebrated screen adaptation of Molnár's romantic comedy.
How long is The Swan (1956)?
The Swan has a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes (112 minutes). It was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and released theatrically in the United States on April 26, 1956, arriving in cinemas just weeks before Grace Kelly's real-life wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
What movies are similar to The Swan (1956)?
Viewers who enjoy The Swan may also appreciate other classic romantic comedies and royal-themed films such as Love Me Tonight (1932), The Prince and the Pauper (1937), A Royal Night Out (2015), and Stanley & Iris (1990). These films share similar themes of class, romance, and the tension between personal desire and social expectation.
More About The Swan
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