All That Heaven Allows

Douglas Sirk’s Technicolor melodrama masterpiece is one of the high points of 1950s Hollywood – and one of the most romantic films ever made.

Affluent, thirtysomething widow Cary (Jane Wyman) feels that her life is empty, until a dashing (and younger) gardener (Rock Hudson) helps her out with some tree surgery… Charting the travails of their will-they/won’t-they romance, the film is not simply a love story, but a smart critique of the prejudices and hypocrisy of suburban America.

Set during the richly hued New England fall and a snow-covered Christmas, the film is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the heart. Every shot feels like it should be a painting, with such brilliant use of the saturated colours that you almost want to gasp out loud.

USA 1955. Director Douglas Sirk. With Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Agnes Moorehead. 89 mins. U

This is one of 6 films showing at BAC as part of Too Much: Melodrama on Film, a season organised by the BFI and the Film Audience Network. The season will be screening at cinemas across the UK during autumn 2025.

Tickets from £5. 10% off for BAC Supporters

Special offer
Buy tickets for 5 or more films and receive a 25% discount.
All tickets will need to be purchased at the same time. This offer only applies to full priced tickets in the Sep-Dec 2025 programme and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers (eg BAC Supporters’ discount). Offer excludes Metropolis and Met Opera broadcasts.

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