Two-dimensional laminar film condensation on a surface is investigated on the basis of boundary-layer theory. The case of flow past a semi-infinite flat plate, which is aligned parallel to a uniform mainstream with velocity , is discussed by means of a perturbation analysis for both small and large rates of cooling at the surface. Predictions, for this similar solution of the boundary-layer equations, are compared with exact numerical solutions in the case of steam-water condensation. The perturbation analysis is then extended to treat non-similar flows and results on steam-water condensation are compared with exact numerical solutions obtained using the Hartree-Womersley method. The cases of potential flow past a circular cylinder with and past a flat plate with retarded mainstream are used for comparison.