At the beginning of Britain's entry into World War II, an officer walks across Waterloo Bridge and remembers the love of his life from World War I in "Waterloo Bridge," starring Vivien Leigh as Myra and Robert Taylor as Roy. Leigh is a beautiful ballerina who meets the dashing, handsome Taylor in an air raid shelter; love and tragedy follow. Believing her fiancée dead, fired from the ballet company, and her roommate turning tricks, Leigh, unable to find any other job, turns to the same life. Heavily made up and cheaply dressed, she's in Waterloo Station doing the "hello, soldier" thing when who should appear but Roy. He wants to take up where they left off and continue down the aisle.

This is the type of movie one both loves and hates. Two of Hollywood's most dazzling stars, dancing to candlelight, involved in a beautiful romance - but she falls from grace and has to pay. It's unfair. Ditto Myrna Loy in "The Rains Came" and a million other movies.

Leigh was such a wonderful actress. Fresh and vibrant in the beginning of the movie, she manages with a cold, hard facial expression to show that she's changed. Her guilt, her sorrow, her self-loathing are all deeply felt, yet she wants to believe she has a chance at happiness, and you can actually see the moments where she tries to talk herself into it. Robert Taylor is very good, though one can really see Olivier in this role. The part isn't as well structured as Leigh's and Olivier may have been able to mine it more. The camera loves Taylor, and his scene at the end of the film is extremely touching. Virginia Field is marvelous as Kitty, Leigh's true friend.

This is a film that stays with you long after it's over. And the next time you hear the word "Waterloo," trust me, you won't think of Napoleon. You'll think of "Waterloo Bridge."