The Passionate Friends (1922 film)  The Passionate Friends is a 1922 British romantic drama film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Milton Rosmer, Valia, and Fred Raynham. It is based on H.G. Wells' "" (1913), which was adapted again by David Lean for his 1949 film "The Passionate Friends". "The Passionate Friends" was part of the Stoll Pictures' "Eminent Authors" series of films. Although based upon Wells' 1913 social realist novel, it largely avoided any of Wells' radical social commentary regarding the United Kingdom.