Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Absolutely Brilliant!

A Major Disappointment

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

I have lost count of how many times I've watched this wonderful film. Each time I get something from it and i believe it is Bette Davis best work - which is a big statement ! Viewers will be hypnotised by Bette's amazing performance and the filmography is truly amazing. To watch this film through modern eyes, you often find yourself trying to work out how the director and editor managed to get away with the 'two bette' film sequences. This is no evidence of 'lines' in the film, or murky backgrounds and if you didn't know it was the same women, you would really think they were twins. The story line is terrific, Glenn Ford (very young) fits the role perfectly and Dane Clark's performance is very direct and well played. There really is something for everyone in this film and a must watch.

Fifteen years before the successful "Pocketful of Miracles," Bette Davis and Glenn Ford teamed up in this typical soap opera drama."A Stolen Life" has many similarities to the 1964 Davis film "Dead Ringer," where Bette killed her evil twin sister and assumed her identity only to be tried for murder of her sister's husband. In 'Stolen' Bette again loses the man she loves to an aggressive twin and when tragedy intervenes, she assumes her dead sister's life.Walter Brennan is completely wasted here as the head of the lighthouse. Dane Clark is absolutely terrific in the role of the embittered, difficult artist who Bette links up with after she loses Glenn Ford to her overbearing sister.The film is a good one thanks to Davis as always. She always knew how to pull out the stops in her never ending display of playing women with multi-emotions.

Wealthy New England artist Bette Davis (as Kate Bosworth) emerges late from her star vehicle, and misses the boat taking her to visit her cousin, the distinguished Charlie Ruggles (as Freddie Linley). Handsome young Glenn Ford (as Bill Emerson) happens by, and Ms. Davis bums a ride in his dinghy. The two pick up Mr. Ford's crusty lighthouse keeper, Walter Brennan (as Eben Folger). On the verge of spinsterhood, Davis is clearly attracted to Ford, and arranges to paint Mr. Brennan's portrait - but, she really wants to show Ford her etchings. Later, cocky Dane Clark (as Karnock) intrudes.You can definitely sense some subtext and symbolism in this picture…And, you can't go wrong with Bette Davis melodramatically falling in love amidst crisp direction by Curtis Bernhardt, beautiful black-and-white photography by Ernest Haller and Sol Polito, a sweet soundtrack by Max Steiner, and the crew at Warner Bros. Throw in the fact that Bette Davis (also as Patricia "Pat" Bosworth) plays her own slutty sister, and you've struck movie gold. Expect, of course, the titular "A Stolen Life" as the evil Davis moves to steals her sister's man. Assisted by special effects wizardry from Willard Van Enger and Russell Collings, both Davis and Davis are terrific in their roles.******** A Stolen Life (7/6/46) Curtis Bernhardt ~ Bette Davis, Glenn Ford, Dane Clark, Walter Brennan

You never know who is who and which twin is doing what! One sympathizes with the Kate twin but can't be sure she will prevail!The husband is an utter twit - can't he tell the difference between Pat and Kate? That he can't shows what a loser he is and that Kate should not care about him.I thought Kate should have gone with the artist in the end - he understood her better. The first husband had to be a twit not to get that Kate loved him better than Pat.He must have been really dense. Not to get that.