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The Heiress

The Heiress

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Summary

Oscar-winning period drama based on Henry James's novel Washington Square, starring Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift and Ralph Richardson. Wealthy widower Dr Austin Sloper considers his daughter Catherine unattractive and dull. When she tells him about a prospective suitor, he labels the young man a mere fortune hunter, but Catherine is sure that Morris Townsend is sincere.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Tony Sloman

This immaculately cast and brilliantly directed movie was adapted from Henry James's novel Washington Square. Olivia de Havilland quite rightly won her second Academy Award as the plain spinster seeking affection from fortune hunter Montgomery Clift. Clift also gives a finely controlled performance of great subtlety and, though both he and de Havilland are too good-looking for their roles, it is this quintessential Hollywood factor that keeps you riveted to the screen. As de Havilland's autocratic father, Ralph Richardson delivers arguably his finest screen work, and these flawless casting choices contribute to what is surely the most satisfying screen adaptation of James's work. Resourceful director William Wyler lets the period detail work for the characters rather than get in the way, and both art direction and costume design won Oscars, as did the haunting score. Agnieszka Holland's Washington Square, with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Albert Finney, pales by comparison with this screen classic.

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8.1/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameCatherine SloperOlivia de HavillandMorris TownsendMontgomery CliftDr Austin SloperRalph RichardsonLavinia PennimanMiriam HopkinsMariaVanessa BrownMarian AlmondMona FreemanElizabeth AlmondSelena RoyleJefferson AlmondRay CollinsMrs MontgomeryBetty LinleyArthur TownsendPaul LeesMr AbeelHarry AntrimQuintusRuss ConwayGeierDavid Thursby

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Crew

rolenameDirectorWilliam Wyler

Details

Theatrical distributor

Paramount Film Service Ltd

Languages

English | French

Available on

DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Black and white

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