Pygmalion
Performance & Direction: Pygmalion Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Pygmalion (1938) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Pygmalion features a noteworthy lineup led by Leslie Howard . Supported by the likes of Wendy Hiller and Wilfrid Lawson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Pygmalion
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1938, Pygmalion is a Comedy, Drama, Romance film directed by Anthony Asquith. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Leslie Howard.
Ending Explained: Pygmalion
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Anthony Asquith, Pygmalion resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Leslie Howard, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Pygmalion reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Pygmalion?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Leslie Howard or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Pygmalion
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $350.0K |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Pygmalion Budget
The estimated production budget for Pygmalion is $350.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Pygmalion
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Where to Watch Pygmalion Online?
Streaming HubPygmalion Parents Guide & Age Rating
1938 AdvisoryWondering about Pygmalion age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Pygmalion is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, Pygmalion is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1938 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pygmalion worth watching?
Pygmalion is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Pygmalion parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Pygmalion identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Pygmalion?
The total duration of Pygmalion is 96 minutes, which is approximately 1h 36m long.
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Critic Reviews for Pygmalion
Even though it was made some 25 years, or so, before "My Fair Lady" it still takes a few minutes before you get used to the fact that it has no singing... Once that has been established, we can enjoy a witty and pithy observation of class and superficiality that raises both smiles and heckles in equal measure. Leslie Howard is great as the somewhat snobbish phonetics expert ("Prof. Higgins") who bets his pal "Col. Pickering" (Scott Sunderland) that he can take the gutturally linguistic flower girl "Eliza" (Wendy Hiller) and pass her off as a duchess to the highest of society. Hiller is super, too. She takes the role of the reluctant, naive but strong willed and savvy street seller by the scruff of the neck and before long we see that the Professor has more than met his match! His housekeeper "Mrs. Pearce" (Jean Cadell) has a go at umpiring now and again and there is a scene stealing performance from Esme Percy as the even more pompous "Count Karpathy" who is the one person "Higgins" fears may be able to rumble his deception. Right from the raucous and hilarious bathing scene, it sets off at quite a pace swiping relentlessly at the British societal system - ribbing snobs and workers alike as Bernard Shaw's story is transferred to celluloid in a way that (hopefully) the author would have appreciated too. I can't say I liked the ending of the play and I don't really much care for the ending here, either - but boy, it's one hell of a journey demonstrating creative skill at just about every turn.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
