The Skin Game (1931)

Set in the English countryside, two families are at war with each other. The Hillcrists are British aristocracy who seek to preserve their way of life against the encroaching urbanization represented by the nouveau riche Hornblower family who are buying up land to build factories. This class warfare will lead to tragedy. Based on the play by John Galsworthy (THE FORSYTE SAGA) and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This early sound film by Hitchcock is surprisingly strong in the dramatic department. One can empathize with both family's point of view and yet be repelled by the actions they take to emerge the victor. When the dust settles, there are no winners. It may be a victory for one family but it is a Pyrrhic victory for what they've lost can never compensate for what they've "won". It follows the play quite closely except for a major change in the ending. A major character is killed off whereas they survived in the play. The performances are quite good. Notably Helen Haye as the snobbish matriarch who'll do anything and go as low as she has to to defeat the "intruders" and Phyllis Konstam as the daughter in law whose secret past is used as a weapon to destroy the family. With Edmund Gwenn, C.V. France, Jill Esmond, John Longden and Edward Chapman.