Ingrid Bergman Just Hated Making This 34%-Rated Hitchcock Drama: "Suffer and Loathe"

Ingrid Bergman and Alfred Hitchcock's collaboration on the spy noir Notorious was a massive box-office success, cementing their reputations as masters of their craft.

However, their next joint project, the period drama Under Capricorn, turned into a nightmare for the actress.

The movie was a commercial failure, leaving Bergman with painful memories. In letters from that time, she candidly wrote about hating the production process and suffering through every minute on set.

Ingrid Bergman Recalled Filming 'Under Capricorn' as a (Very) Unpleasant Experience

Following the success of Notorious, Hitchcock and Bergman optimistically began work on a new project: an adaptation of Helen Simpson's novel set in 19th-century Australia.

However, problems arose almost immediately. When Bergman visited Hitchcock on the set of his previous movie, Rope, she was shocked by what she saw.

The director was experimenting with ten-minute takes, which created immense tension on set. In a letter, the actress described how the entire crew was on the verge of a breakdown and how the filming process was steeped in an atmosphere of alienation and hostility.

Ultimately, a financial dispute irreparably damaged their relationship. Bergman demanded that her fee be raised to $200,000 plus 25% of the profits. In response, Hitchcock raised his fee to 30% of the profits, and from that point on, their collaboration began to fracture.

All these problems accumulated on the set of Under Capricorn, ultimately making it one of the most painful shoots in the actress's career. She recalled:

“Under Capricorn is half finished. The other day I burst. The camera was supposed to follow me around for 11 whole minutes, which meant we had to rehearse a whole day with the walls or furniture falling backwards as the camera went through, and of course that couldn't be done fast enough.

So I told Hitch off. How I hate this new technique of his. How I suffer and loathe every moment on the set.”

What Is 'Under Capricorn' About?

The story unfolds in 1830s Sydney. Sam Flusky is a wealthy and respected Irish immigrant and former convict, who remains haunted by his past.

He lives with his reclusive wife, Henrietta, who suffers from alcoholism. A dark, oppressive atmosphere pervades their home, and the servants are hostile.

Their life is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of Sam's old friend, Charles, who falls in love with Henrietta. He gradually begins to unravel the web of dark secrets hidden behind the facade of their prosperous family life.

Alfred Hitchcock Wasn't Surprised When 'Under Capricorn' Didn't Become a Hit

From the beginning, Alfred Hitchcock doubted Under Capricorn's success: he admitted that he made the film to work with Bergman, who was at the peak of her popularity, and to indulge his ego.

The director used the same long-take technique as in Rope, but it was much more difficult to execute this time due to the multitude of locations and camera movements. The scenes required incredibly complex preparation, and the actors, including Bergman, were utterly exhausted by the rehearsals.

Furthermore, the studio marketed the movie as a mystery thriller, misleading audiences. Viewers and critics expected the sharp plots and nerve-wracking suspense typical of Hitchcock works, but instead received a slow-paced drama devoid of his signature tension.

The movie failed to recoup even half of its budget, grossing just $1.5 million despite costs more than double that amount. The studio financing the film withdrew it from distribution, and Under Capricorn was not shown on television for twenty years.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Under Capricorn'?

• Under Capricorn has 56% from critics and 34% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.2/10.

• On Letterboxd, Under Capricorn scored 3.2/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Under Capricorn'?

Under Capricorn is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.