Synopsis
A melodrama revolving around rural class conflict,
The Skin Game was widely praised on release for its powerful and convincing portrayal of industrial encroachment on the rural gentry. The film is also notable for the confident mix of long-take dialogue scenes and montage. The rivalry between a gentrified family and a wealthy tradesman turns to tragedy when the former use their discovery of the dark past of the tradesman's daughter-in-law to thwart his building plans. Adapted by
Hitchcock from the successful stage play by
John Galsworthy, the skill with which the film is executed masks a frustration at being forced to take on projects which were theatrical in origin.
