A naive young woman falls for a handsome young man her emotionally abusive father suspects is only a fortune hunter.A naive young woman falls for a handsome young man her emotionally abusive father suspects is only a fortune hunter.A naive young woman falls for a handsome young man her emotionally abusive father suspects is only a fortune hunter.
- Won 4 Oscars
- 9 wins & 8 nominations total
Mary Bayless
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Nan Boardman
- French Maid
- (uncredited)
Jack Chefe
- French Waiter
- (uncredited)
Marcel De la Brosse
- French Porter
- (uncredited)
Ray De Ravenne
- French Waiter
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDirector William Wyler shot 37 takes of Olivia de Havilland carrying her suitcases up the stairs. Only after the final shoot, whereupon she briefly stopped on the second flight of stairs and leaned on the handrail for a couple of seconds, did Wyler declare that this was the take he wanted to print.
- GoofsThis story takes place at the end of the 1840s, but none of the men wear the cravats--material bound around the neck and tied in either the front or back--that were fashionable in that period; instead they wear neckties and bow ties, which did not come into fashion until the late 1850s.
- Quotes
Aunt Penniman: Can you be so cruel?
Catherine Sloper: Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters.
Featured review
We are the rightful heirs of this gem of a movie
What a lavish history of films we are fortunate enough to have in this country. And I count "The Heiress" as one of the best. Combine a wonderfully told story with a masterful director (William Wyler), and add to that superb cast, and you have the formula for a masterpiece as we do here.
Olivia de Havilland gives the performance of her life as Catherine Sloper, the socially awkward and homely daughter of surgeon Dr. Sloper (played by Ralph Richardson). She brings such a strong performance as her character evolves from a timid, shy and innocent young lady to a hardened, disappointed and bitter woman. I don't know that I have ever seen an actress give such a convincing evolution, before or since. She truly earned her Oscar win for Best Actress. Richardson also delivers a believable performance as the ruthless father that is extremely disappointed in his daughter, and never fails to let her know it. At the same time, there is a hint of fatherly love below the surface trying to protect his daughter from what he perceives is a fortune hunter in the suitor of Montgomery Clift's character, Morris Townsend.
The photography in the film is amazing as it conveys the deep emotions in the film so adequately. You feel Catherine's loneliness and awkwardness, and the scenes involving the elopement, and later the final rejection, are quite hauntingly portrayed.
One of my favorite lines in movies is from this film when Catherine's Aunt tells her "Can you be so cruel?" to which Catherine coldly replies "Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters." This is a film you will want to see multiple times to uncover all the layers and details of the very deep and tragic story of "The Heiress".
Olivia de Havilland gives the performance of her life as Catherine Sloper, the socially awkward and homely daughter of surgeon Dr. Sloper (played by Ralph Richardson). She brings such a strong performance as her character evolves from a timid, shy and innocent young lady to a hardened, disappointed and bitter woman. I don't know that I have ever seen an actress give such a convincing evolution, before or since. She truly earned her Oscar win for Best Actress. Richardson also delivers a believable performance as the ruthless father that is extremely disappointed in his daughter, and never fails to let her know it. At the same time, there is a hint of fatherly love below the surface trying to protect his daughter from what he perceives is a fortune hunter in the suitor of Montgomery Clift's character, Morris Townsend.
The photography in the film is amazing as it conveys the deep emotions in the film so adequately. You feel Catherine's loneliness and awkwardness, and the scenes involving the elopement, and later the final rejection, are quite hauntingly portrayed.
One of my favorite lines in movies is from this film when Catherine's Aunt tells her "Can you be so cruel?" to which Catherine coldly replies "Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters." This is a film you will want to see multiple times to uncover all the layers and details of the very deep and tragic story of "The Heiress".
- PudgyPandaMan
- Jan 7, 2009
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $2,600,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $158
- Runtime1 hour 55 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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