The Astonished Heart is a 1950 British drama film directed by Terence Fisher and Antony Darnborough.

[3] Inspired by the great success of the 1945 film Brief Encounter, which also had been adapted from Tonight at 8:30, Coward agreed to have The Astonished Heart produced as a motion picture.

Production began in 1949 and featured not only Noël Coward in one of his rare film appearances, but also actor-singer Graham Payn in a supporting role.

The title is taken from a passage in the Bible Deuteronomy 28:28: "The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart", referenced by the lead character.

In July 1948, Sydney Box, head of Gainsborough Studios, paid £10,000 to Noël Coward to script Astonished Heart from Tonight at 8:30.

Box also planned to make a film called Tonight at 8:30 consisting of Fumed Oak with Kathleen Harrison and Jack Warner, Family Album with Margaret Leighton and Graham Payn, and Red Peppers with Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hulbert (This film would become Meet Me Tonight with a different cast.)

[6] Box was happy with the script for Astonished Heart and put it into production with Michael Redgrave in the lead, with Coward's approval.

Redgrave wrote that the script - which he said was by Muriel Box although only Coward is credited - was faithful to the play, although the actor struggled with how his character committed suicide.

"[14] In February, Coward took Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne to the press screening and premiere for the film in New York.

"[15] Redgrave wrote in his memoirs: "I could not resist seeing the film, nor help noticing that Noél had taken more pains over the script than in the version which had given me such difficulty.

"[16] The New York Times wrote, "Mr. Coward is capable of doing better, though there are moments when the dialogue lets off caustic sparks.

"[17] Variety said "While film has a clever veneer, yarn lacks the more basic quality of credibility due to insufficient motivation of the central character.