What Is Woman Hater About?
The premise of Woman Hater in 278 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the polished world of post‑war London, a self‑styled connoisseur of solitude, Lord Terence Datchett, has built his reputation on the belief that women are frivolous and that any declaration of disdain for men is merely a performance. His world is turned upside down when the glamorous French film star Colette Marly arrives in the city, commanding attention with her sharp wit and a public proclamation that she has “had enough of men.” Their first encounter, a clash of sarcasm over a restaurant table, sets the tone for a battle of egos that feels both timeless and delightfully modern.
Seeing an opportunity to prove his theory, Datchett devises a “scientific experiment”: he extends an invitation to Marly to stay at his country estate, presenting the residence as the perfect refuge from the relentless glare of fame and the endless stream of admirers. The house, with its stately rooms, discreet butler Jameson and a devoted maid named Clair, becomes a carefully staged arena where appearances are deliberately blurred. Marly, weary of her publicity‑driven life, accepts, hoping to retrieve a measure of privacy—yet she is also curious about the man who would go to such lengths to test a hypothesis about love.
The film unfolds as a sparkling romantic comedy, where witty repartee and subtle power plays replace any overt drama. Both protagonists enter the experiment with clear, opposing motives, but the setting—a genteel English manor filled with quiet corners and genteel servants—encourages a slow, teasing dance of attraction. As their antagonism softens into something more ambiguous, the audience is invited to linger on the electric tension between tradition and modernity, certainty and surprise, leaving the true outcome deliciously uncertain.
What Happens in Woman Hater?
The complete story of Woman Hater, from the first scene to the last, in 469 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Lord Terence Datchett, Stewart Granger, believes women are vain, trivial and dull. He is irritated when French film star Colette Marly, Edwige Feuillère, arrives in London and takes the table in a restaurant where he wanted to sit. He is scathing of her claims in the newspaper that she is tired of publicity and of men pursuing her, believing it to be an attempt to get more attention. He predicts that if she were really left alone she would throw herself at the first man she met. After being challenged by a man at his club, Datchett decides to invite her to stay at his house, aiming to stage a “scientific experiment” and prove his theory.
Marly is weary of the demands of her publicity-seeking agent and being besieged by autograph hunters and journalists. When she receives Datchett’s invitation to stay at his house, she accepts in the hope of some solitude. Arriving at his country house with her maid Clair, Jeanne De Casalis, she is greeted by Datchett’s butler Jameson, Ronald Squire, and Lord Datchett who pretends to be Henry Dodds, Datchett’s estate manager. The other staff have also been informed to help maintain the deception.
Datchett tries to discover more about Marly, but she is initially unforthcoming. Slowly they become friendly, after they go riding and when Datchett contrives for them to get locked in a cellar for several hours and get drunk on brandy. Clair meanwhile flirts with both Jameson and Patrick, provoking them into jealousy and rivalry. Patrick, W.A. Kelly, the Irish gardener, adds to the tension with his own attentions.
When Reverend Meadows arrives at the house with a christening party for whom Datchett had previously agreed to be a godfather, Marly accidentally discovers Datchett’s true identity. Her first angry reaction is to prepare to leave, but then she decides to play along with Datchett’s pretense, but intending to teach him a lesson. While out boating on a lake, she pretends to be in distress so that he can rescue her, but when he is knocked unconscious, she becomes the rescuer, but makes him believe he did it.
Datchett’s elderly mother Lady Datchett arrives, and he persuades her to join in the ploy and she tries, but without much success. Eventually, Datchett admits he is in love with her and Marly triumphantly reveals that she knows who he really is and what she has done. He goes away, crestfallen, but she then realises she is in love with him.
At the suggestion of Clair, Marly stages a drowning for a second time. Datchett, about to return to London after admitting the experiment was a failure, hears her cries for help and goes to rescue her, but once again, she ends up rescuing him. Safely on the bank, they confess their mutual love and embrace.
Woman Hater Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Datchett challenges Colette Marly about publicity” to “A second drowning ruse ends in true confession”. 12 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Datchett challenges Colette Marly about publicity
Lord Datchett arrives in London and is outraged when Colette Marly takes the table he wanted at a restaurant. He rails against her publicity-seeking persona and proclaims that if left alone, she would chase any man she met. This kicks off his plan to test his belief with a 'scientific' experiment.
Where:London, restaurant
- 2
A club challenge leads to a drastic plan
After being challenged by a man at his club, Datchett decides to invite Marly to stay at his country house. He intends to stage an experiment to prove his theory about women's vanity. The plan hinges on keeping up a deception and observing Marly's reactions.
Where:London club
- 3
Marly accepts the invitation for solitude
Marly, worn by agents and autograph seekers, accepts Datchett's invitation hoping for some quiet away from publicity. She travels to his country house with her maid Clair, seeking respite rather than romance. The deception about identities begins as Datchett's staff prepare to maintain the ruse.
Where:Datchett's country house
- 4
Datchett and staff maintain the pretense
Datchett, posing as estate manager Henry Dodds, greets Marly and continues the pretense with his staff. Marly's arrival marks the start of their tentative, uneasy relationship under false identities. The household is fully in on the deception.
Where:Country house
- 5
Riding together forges a budding bond
Datchett and Marly go riding together and begin to thaw toward one another as they share conversation and humor. The close proximity and shared activity lay the groundwork for a growing trust. The experiment begins to blur with genuine curiosity.
Where:Countryside, near the house
- 6
Cellar confinement deepens their connection
Datchett contrives a situation that locks them in a cellar for hours, and they become intoxicated on brandy. The ordeal breaks down barriers and deepens the developing affection between them. The boundary between game and feeling becomes increasingly murky.
Where:Cellar of the country house
- 7
Jealousy among the staff tests the plan
Clair's flirtations with Jameson and Patrick stir jealousy and rivalries among the staff, complicating the experiment. The inter staff dynamics threaten to derail the deception. Datchett's control over the situation begins to feel precarious as feelings surface elsewhere.
Where:House staff quarters
- 8
The christening reveal and identity exposure
Reverend Meadows arrives with a christening party, and Marly accidentally uncovers Datchett's true identity. Her initial anger gives way to a decision to play along, aiming to teach him a lesson. The situation grows more intricate as both sides weigh their next move.
Where:Country house
- 9
Boating on the lake escalates the deception
On a boating excursion, Marly pretends to be in distress to lure a rescue, but Datchett is knocked unconscious and she ends up rescuing him—making him believe he saved her. This role reversal deepens their emotional bond. The line between performance and genuine feeling continues to blur.
Where:Lake
- 10
Mother's arrival reinforces the ruse
Datchett's elderly mother arrives and is brought into the ploy as part of the deception, though her efforts are not very successful. The family dynamic adds another layer to the manipulation. Datchett struggles to keep the ruse coherent under pressure.
Where:Country house
- 11
Truth and feelings come to the surface
Datchett admits he is in love with Marly; she then reveals that she knows who he really is and what she has done. He leaves crestfallen, while she realizes she loves him too. The dynamic shifts from game to genuine emotion as honesty starts to override deception.
Where:Country house
- 12
A second drowning ruse ends in true confession
At Clair's suggestion, Marly stages a second drowning. Datchett, about to return to London after the experiment's apparent failure, hears Marly's cries and goes to rescue her. Once again she rescues him, and on the bank they confess their mutual love and embrace.
Where:Lake / bank
Who Are the Main Characters in Woman Hater?
8 characters, among them Colette Marly (Edwige Feuillère), Lord Terence Datchett (Stewart Granger) and Clair (Jeanne De Casalis): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- CM
Colette Marly (Edwige Feuillère)
Played by Edwige Feuillère
Colette is a renowned French film star weary of relentless publicity and autograph seekers. She accepts Datchett's invitation hoping for solitude, but quickly discerns a social game that could teach him a lesson. Her wit and charm help her navigate Datchett's deception while testing his attitude toward women. In the end, she discovers she loves him.
- 🎭 Glamour
- 💬 Witty
- 🧭 Independent
- LT
Lord Terence Datchett (Stewart Granger)
Played by Stewart Granger
Datchett is an aristocrat who believes women are vain and dull, and he schemes to prove his theory by concealing his identity. As the game unfolds, he begins to fall for Colette, forcing a conflict between pride and romance. His deception reveals a vulnerability beneath the social mask. The romance ultimately tests his beliefs about women and love.
- 👑 Aristocrat
- 🧠 Schemer
- 💖 Romantic
- C(
Clair (Jeanne De Casalis)
Played by Jeanne De Casalis
Clair is Colette's maid who flirts with Jameson and Patrick, stirring jealousy and competition. She helps maintain the deception by playing along with Datchett's scheme. Practical and opportunistic, she uses the situation to her advantage while keeping a witty distance from the chaos.
- 💬 Flirt
- 🎭 Mischief
- 🧭 Clever
- J(
Jameson (Ronald Squire)
Played by Ronald Squire
Jameson is the loyal butler who navigates the deception, playing his part in Datchett's game. He interacts with Clair and Patrick, fueling jealousy and rivalries. His dry wit and steady presence help sustain the farcical energy of the plot.
- 🤵 Butler
- 🗺️ Loyal
- 🎭 Comic
- RM
Rev Meadows (Miles Malleson)
Played by Miles Malleson
Reverend Meadows arrives with a christening party, triggering Datchett's orchestrated deception. He becomes part of the social machinery surrounding the scheme, acting as a catalyst for the unfolding farce. His presence heightens the sense of propriety clashing with mischief.
- ⛪ Clergy
- 🎭 Catalyst
- 💫 Comedic
- LD
Lady Datchett (Mary Jerrold)
Played by Mary Jerrold
Lady Datchett is Datchett's elderly mother who arrives to observe the ploy and add a touch of venerable tradition to the plan. Her attempt to join in highlights the older generation's engagement with contemporary romantic antics. She embodies the clash between established manners and new flirtatious games.
- 👵 Matriarch
- 🎭 Naive
- 🏰 Aristocracy
- G(
Grandmother (Vi Kaley)
Played by Vi Kaley
Grandmother is an additional elder figure who participates in the house’s social games, adding another layer to the family dynamic. She contributes to the humor and traditional backdrop of aristocratic life. Her presence reinforces the blend of old-world charm with modern romantic farce.
- 👵 Grandmother
- 🎭 Traditionalist
- 🏰 Aristocracy
- P(
Patrick (WA Kelly)
Played by W.A. Kelly
Patrick is the Irish gardener whose presence sparks jealousy and playful rivalry, especially with Clair. He participates in the boating scene and the general back-and-forth that fuels the comedy. His lighthearted energy helps balance the more formal characters.
- 🌱 Gardener
- 💬 Jovial
- 🎭 Comedic
Where and When Is Woman Hater Set?
Woman Hater is set in London, England and Datchett's country house (Mid-20th century (1940s)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Mid-20th century (1940s)
The story unfolds in postwar Britain, a period marked by shifting social mores and a growing fascination with celebrity culture. Newspapers, publicists, and autograph seekers shape the choices and pressures faced by the characters. Aristocratic propriety collides with modern flirtation as appearances hold as much weight as feelings. The era’s pace allows fast shifts from farce to genuine emotion.
Where
London, England, Datchett's country house
The film begins in London, where Colette Marly's presence ignites the tension with Lord Datchett. Much of the action then moves to Datchett's country house, a grand setting that becomes a stage for the characters' social games. The contrast between urban celebrity culture and rural aristocratic life highlights the clash of manners and the performative nature of romance. The domestic spaces and lake scenes provide the backdrop for evolving relationships and comic misunderstandings.
- 🗺️ City
- 🏰 Country house
What Are the Themes of Woman Hater?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Romance, Deception and Publicity.
-
01
Romance
Romance in the story grows as masks come off and genuine feeling emerges through wit and deception. Datchett and Colette move from rivalry to mutual attraction via staged situations and moments of honesty. Their evolving relationship challenges class expectations and the idea that love must fit a preconceived experiment. Ultimately, true affection blossoms when pretenses fade.
-
02
Deception
Deception drives the plot, with disguises, false identities, and calculated roles creating comic tension. The couple’s pretense exposes vulnerabilities, revealing what each wants beneath social performance. Plans to manipulate outcomes backfire, forcing confessions and realignment. The film uses farce to probe how truth can hide behind polite veneers.
-
03
Publicity
Publicity and media attention serve as catalysts for the relationship’s tensions. The characters’ actions are shaped by reporters, fans, and publicists who crave access and spectacle. Fame functions as social currency that can isolate or connect people. The finale critiques the cost of celebrity and elevates authentic connection over image.
What Kind of Film Is Woman Hater?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Happy
A charming and playful romantic comedy where a war of wits and deceptions between two stubborn individuals gradually reveals mutual affection, providing a lighthearted and witty viewing experience.
- playful
- deceptive
- romantic
- lighthearted
- charming
- comedic
- enemies to lovers
- deception
- battle of the sexes
- romantic comedy
Quiz
How well do you remember Woman Hater? Test yourself on the story.
