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The Razor's Edge

Play trailer Poster for The Razor's Edge 1946 2h 26m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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56% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
An American fighter pilot, Larry Darrell (Tyrone Power), returns from World War I sickened by the violence and fighting he has witnessed. In search of meaning, he travels to Paris, where he tries to live modestly. However, this leads Larry's fiancée, the status-seeking Isabel Bradley (Gene Tierney), to break off the engagement. But Isabel returns to Larry's life when he becomes romantically involved with Sophie (Anne Baxter), a troubled alcoholic recovering from tragedy.
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The Razor's Edge

Critics Reviews

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Jeremiah Kipp Slant Magazine May 15, 2005
2.5/4
Goulding indulges in voluptuously lit scenes dominated by well-dressed extras, lots of carousing and booze, catty dialogue, and water fountains that upstage everybody. Go to Full Review Rosalie Kicks MovieJawn Jun 22, 2022
3.5/4
This piece of cinema truly speaks for itself and what it has to say is incredible. Go to Full Review Nell Dodson Russell Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Jan 14, 2022
I suppose most of us are seeking some kind of solution for our daily problems and frustrations, but I'm afraid we have neither the financial means nor the spiritual tenacity to go mountain-sitting in India. Go to Full Review David Hanna Illustrated Daily News (Los Angeles) Jul 13, 2021
It certainly follows the W. Somerset Maugham novel -- being just as verbose, obscure in its philosophy and jumbled in its construction. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Jul 25, 2020
6/10
The start is promising and I'm immediately infected by the bombast I observe in the mise-en-scène, although in the second half I get bored when perceiving a narrative repetition planned by a superfluous indulgence. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Mar 14, 2008
C+
Edmund Goulding's version deserves crdit for trying to adapt Maugham's difficult existential movel, but Tyrone Power is miscast and the film is too melodramatic and verbose, failing to illustrate the novel's essence. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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SICKS6SIX S @sicks6six Dec 12, 2025 Better than the 56% the rotten tomato people score it. IMO. It's a great script and the two film adaptations of the book have not done it the justice it deserves. If someone in Hollywood is wondering which film deserves a third attempt this is it. The moral of the story is probably more relevant today than when this film version was made. See more Tom A @RT44143237 Aug 8, 2025 Not great, but can make you think. I would recommend reading the novel before or after. Interesting philosophical novel and movie. Not a popcorn movie. See more John H @JLHIII Jan 24, 2024 While it very good parts it didn't really capture the spirit of the novel. Watchable but not grear See more j f @LiberteBurrows Jul 23, 2023 Anne Baxter's Sophie is so good. I love this movie. See more georgan g @RT98616417 Oct 8, 2021 This film excels in every way. The gorgeous, talented cast plays out a terrific screen play about deep thinking. See more dave s @RT68722908 Sep 28, 2021 The Razor's Edge, based on the W. Somerset Maugham novel, tells the story a Lawrence Darrow, a World War 1 veteran who is forced to reevaluate his values and priorities as the result of the traumas of war. Tyrone Power does a decent job in the lead role and Gene Tierney is solid as the love interest, but the Mid-Atlantic accents of the secondary cast become annoying very quickly. While the story of existential angst is certainly interesting, the movie relies too much on excessive dialogue instead of imagery. Even when alone on a mountaintop, his guru shows up, resulting in more unnecessary metaphysical blatherings. On top of it all, the swelling violins get tiresome and the whole affair runs far too long. It's an okay movie, but it has its flaws. See more Read all reviews
The Razor's Edge

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Cast & Crew

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Edmund Goulding

Director

Tyrone Power

Larry Darrell

Gene Tierney

Isabel Bradley

Anne Baxter

Sophie Nelson Macdonald

Clifton Webb

Elliott Templeton

John Payne

Gray Maturin

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The Razor's Edge

The Razor's Edge (1946) The Razor's Edge (1946) The Razor's Edge (1946) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis An American fighter pilot, Larry Darrell (Tyrone Power), returns from World War I sickened by the violence and fighting he has witnessed. In search of meaning, he travels to Paris, where he tries to live modestly. However, this leads Larry's fiancée, the status-seeking Isabel Bradley (Gene Tierney), to break off the engagement. But Isabel returns to Larry's life when he becomes romantically involved with Sophie (Anne Baxter), a troubled alcoholic recovering from tragedy.
Director
Edmund Goulding
Producer
Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter
Lamar Trotti, W. Somerset Maugham
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 19, 1946, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 19, 2013
Runtime
2h 26m
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