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Amazon.com essential video: In this 1949 dramatization of Henry James's Washington Square, Olivia de Havilland is the plain but presentable spinster who lives with her domineering father (Ralph Richardson). What she lacks in looks she makes up for in wealth, and soon finds herself the object of much attention by Montgomery Clift. At the heart of this drama is the question of his possibly mercenary agenda. De Havilland does not seem to care one way or the other, but her father cannot believe any man would love her for any reason but her wealth. This version does not stray too far from the novel. It is a masterpiece that reveals both suppressed anger within a family and the suppression of women in the 19th century. De Havilland, all simmering desire and controlled rage, won an Oscar for best actress, and Aaron Copland copped one for best score. It is no surprise that this handsome picture was also awarded Oscars for costume design and art direction. It was remade and updated with an oddly feminist twist in 1997under the novel's original title. --Rochelle O'Gorman Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-06-24
"You have found a tongue at last, Catherine!"
I've seen more than a fair share of revenge movies, American and foreign, from variants of "The Count of Monte Cristo" to "Kill Bill" and hundreds in between. None has altered my opinion that "The Heiress" is the best of them all. Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Clift-that alone is reason enough to see this. But if it isn't, just read some of the reviews here and on other Internet sites. It's called a classic for one simple reason-it's an excellent film.
No doubt that the ensemble in "The Heiress" was a stroke of luck or genius. Sir Ralph Richardson as Dr. Austin Sloper, with his perfect diction, embodies the Old New York patriarch-cold, stern, and overbearing. Montgomery Clift, as the codger Morris Townsend, is devilishly handsome and irresistibly flirtatious as he sweeps Catherine Sloper off her feet, until he's revealed for what he truly is. Miriam Hopkins, as the busybody Aunt Lavinia Penniman, projects the compassion borne of knowing what it's like to be lonely. As outstanding as they all were, and as unerring and meticulous as William Wyler's direction was, this film belonged to Olivia de Havilland. As Catherine Sloper, first meek, socially inept and cowering under her beastly father's rule, her transformation to a steely, wronged woman is flawless and heartbreaking. Blessed with an excellent script, a compelling story, and a brilliant cast, "The Heiress" is a jewel.
Some of my youthful imaginings were fuelled by Henry James and Edith Wharton books, and although my youth is long gone, my admiration endures. "Washington Square" is timeless and remains one of James' best realist fictions, and this adaptation is the finest James on film, no disrespect intended to the Merchant-Ivory productions. Buy it, rent it, borrow it, and see for yourself how a reel of celluloid can still engender praise sixty years later. Rating:
Date: 2008-06-05
empowerment, 1940s style
'the heiress', though not as enlightened as agneizka holland's 'washington square' is the far more superior film.
olivia de havilland towers over jennifer jason leigh as catherine sloper. her catherine does show that she has wit and brains, even while she is desperate for love and attention for her impervious father austin sloper. she is brought to life in her love for morris townsend and it is like watching a bud burst and flower.
richardson's father is cold and implacable, pathetic anbd frustrated when he realizes his life is coming an end, pitiable when his daughter withholds any affection from him. albert finney, in this role, is just mean and frustated no matter what the situation is.
miriam hopkins is comic relief from the heavy parts of the plot; maggie smith is risble in this role of widowed aunt penniman. perhaps the one point which matches in each version is morris townsend. wyler and holland each cast handsome men as the oppurtunistic lover who hopes to marry shy catherine for her money. no complaints from either version when you have montgomery clift or ben chaplin.
maybe why i prefer 'the heiress' is because it maintains a grand, operatic flavor while 'washington square' tries to make this story rather ordinary. so catherine's final victory over the who have tyrannized her is dulled. in 'the heiress' i get to enjoy this victory. de havilland was never more powerful than in the final half hour of the film as she goes from scorned and bitter to transcendent when she exacts sweet revenge on a truly desperate morris. Rating:
Date: 2008-01-28
The Heiress
The Heiress (Universal Cinema Classics)
This is a magnificent film with superb performances by Olivia deHavilland, Ralph Richardson, Montgomery Cliff , Miriam Hopkins and the music by Copland very effective. The plot comes from the Henry James story and he was a master at character delineating and all of the subtle shades of conflict within individuals. The film, acting, directing by Wm Wyler are all superb, the liner notes on the back are quite wrong about Dr. Sloper--he is not malevolent but a much more complex character than that. That is not a criticism of the film but the silly person who wrote the liner notes.In short: it is a great film. Rating:
Date: 2007-12-10
Best movie ever!
A real piece of art from the gold era of hollywood when actresses and actors really did act and earned to be call 'Stars' Olivia de Havilland delivers an amazing performance that captures your heart and makes you enjoy the unexpected ending. Rating:
Date: 2007-11-08
The Heiress
This is a fantastic Movie. I remember watching it many years ago. Great actors. I am thrilled they put it on DVD. |
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