Bette Davis gave her last great performance in this touching tale of the fragile bonds between two aged sisters, both widows, who live in a cottage on the coast of Maine, a fascinating chamber piece and a remarkable study in contrasts between the personalities and acting styles of Davis and silent cinema icon Lillian Gish. 

Davis is on imperious form as the increasingly dependent Libby, who is losing her eyesight, whilst Gish is a paragon of patience as Sarah, who knows that a sister’s love still endures beneath Libby’s prickly exterior.

Screening as part of Fasten Your Seatbelts: The Films of Bette Davis.

Notes by David O’Mahony