The Heiress (Universal Cinema Classics)

Forget Gone with the Wind. Olivia's best work remains this 1949 classic, winning her the best actress Oscar as a lonely spinster who is under the strict regime of her father's wealth and guidance with choosing men. When Montgomery Clift comes to win her hand, Dad says No (played brilliantly by Ralph Richardson). He thinks Monty is after his daughter's inheritance. Is he? That question will remain on your brain, along with the astonishing transition that De Havilland makes in her character- from naive, happy daughter to a hardened, cynical survivor. One of Martin Scorsese's favorite films as well.

Hands down, this is my favorite movie of all time. A PERFECT film in every way; brilliantly filmed, directed and acted. Every character is drawn with exquisite detail and nuance, every performance is honed to perfection, from the housemaid to the great doctor, to the ditzy aunt and the star-crossed lovers. Montgomery Clift's "Morris Townsend" is a masterpiece in that you can never really figure out his intentions, even when you think you've got him pegged as a rotter. Olivia de Haviland's "Katherine Sloper" walks such a fine line between tender innocent and strong, stubborn woman that the ending literally takes your breath away. And Ralph Richardson's "Austin Slope, M.D." is an actor's clinic, both tragic, infuriating and very human. I see this movie regularly, several times a year, and cry and love it every single time. A must have for any serious movie buff.

Olivia de Havilland does a great job in this film as the timid, lackluster Catherine Sloper whose father has underappreciated her all her life and whose fiancé, played by Montgomery Clift, wants her only for her money. She is unaware of his machinations until she is stood up on the night she is to elope with him. After this night, however, you see Catherine evolve and grow from the shy, self-effacing girl who puts everyone else first, into a strong, confident woman who stands up for herself. I love this movie. Both Catherine's father and fiancé are roles played handsomely by Montgomery Clift and Ralph Richardson. It's a black and white film, but this doesn't take away from the drama and performances.

At first my dvd had a hiccup during an important scene - but, it recovered for me to complete the film. I felt more sympathy for the woman Catherine became later in the film, because it seemed she took comfort in her own bitterness. Olivia de Haviland was fantastic as Catherine. Montgomery Clift was handsome, as always, and keeps you guessing about his true motives. The actor who portrayed the father was excellent as the father who has a poor way of showing his love for his daughter. Overall, this was a great movie - especially good on a rainy night.

Movies aren't larger than life anymore so I thank God for the classics. This is my all time favorite film and I could watch it over and over. Please note: there is a "modern version" of this movie, but do not waste you time with it.Olivia de Havilland plays a young woman from a rich family that falls in love with a poor gigolo. Her father is less than pleased and threatens to disown his only child if she continues to engage with Morris Townsend played by Montgomery Cliff. Her love is so strong that she is willing to lose it all to be with Townsend. However, Mr. Townsend has other plans and finds it hard to live on love alone. He abandons de Havilland and goes abroad. In the meantime, she realizes who she is, what she wants, and grows to become a mature independent woman eventually leaving him out in the cold. My favorite line, "he came back with the same lies." Love it. Great film with a great point.

Olivia de Havilland and pretty boy Montgomery Clift (before his accident) turn in stellar performances in this story about a homely & awkward but wealthy young woman who stands to inherit a fortune from her wealthy father, being courted by a poor but genteel "gentleman." Does the young man really love the heiress, or is he a gold hunter? Her father thinks the latter, and sets about to prove he's right. A sad, tragic tale of loneliness, sadness, rejection, deception. My favorite lines: (aunt) Can you be so cruel? (niece) Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters.

One of the best classic movies ever made in my opinion. It's a wonderful movie directed by William Wyler. It stars Olivia de Havilland as Catherine Sloper, an aristocratic naive young woman who lives under the scrutiny of her malevolent father (played by Ralph Richardson). When a handsome but penniless suitor (played by Montgomery Clift) proposes, her father believes he could only be after her estate and fortune. Based on the stage version of Henry James' renowned novel "Washington Square," this movie is a masterpiece of love, deception, and betrayal. This movie won four academy awards including the Best Actress Oscar for Olivia's performance (She absolutely deserved it too!) This movie is a must see for the direction, story, the classic movie fan, and above all, the acting! It's a real cinematic achievement!!

Nel 1880 Henry James pubblicò a puntate il romanzo “Washington Square”, ispirato ad un evento realmente accaduto nell’aristocrazia britannica. James sposta la scena a New York e l’ambienta in quella che è considerata una delle piazze più esclusive della città.Dal romanzo, la coppia di drammaturghi e sceneggiatori Ruth e Augustus Goetz traggono una commedia che sbanca Broadway. William Wyler decide di girare il suo adattamento cinematografico e chiama gli stessi due autori a scrivere la sceneggiatura.New York, 1850. Austin Sloper (Ralph Richardson) è un facoltoso medico rispettato da tutta la città. Rimasto prematuramente vedovo, non riesce a consolarsi della perdita della moglie che lui reputa ancora l’essere più bello che abbia mai camminato sulla Terra.Certo non lo consola la sua unica figlia Catherine (una bravissima Olivia de Havilland) scialba, goffa e ingenua, capace solo di realizzare inutili ricami. Grazie però alla rendita di diecimila dollari che le ha lasciato sua madre, Catherine è comunque una ragazza ricca. E lo diverrà ancora di più alla morte del padre che ha stabilito una rendita per lei di ulteriori ventimila dollari.Nonostante ciò, alle feste a cui viene invitata nessuno sembra notarla, cosa che preoccupa molto suo padre e sua zia Lavinia (Lavinia Penniman). Tutto repentinamente cambia quando ad un party inizia ad essere al centro delle attenzioni del fascinoso Morris Townsend (Montgomery Clift).Senza aspettare Townsend brucia le tappe del corteggiamento e poco tempo dopo chiede a Catherine di sposarlo. Se lei è fuori di se dalla gioia suo padre, invece, rimane freddo e distaccato. Per lui, infatti, il giovane è solo un cacciatore di dote e mai avrà la sua approvazione.Nonostante il padre provi in ogni modo a dissuaderla, Catherine è sempre più intenzionata a coronare il suo sogno d’amore, cosa che alla fine provoca uno scontro profondo e irreversibile fra i due.Per sposare il suo Morris, infatti, lei è disposta a fuggire nella notte e anche a rinunciare ai ventimila dollari in più di rendita, visto che suo padre ha promesso che la diserederà. Ma…Amarissimo racconto sulle sfortune di una donna che ha la “colpa” di essere “brutta” e “ricca”. Nella storia del cinema è entrata a pieno l’indimenticabile scena finale, che ancora oggi viene scopiazzata.Wyler dirige superbamente un ottimo cast dove brillano la de Havilland e Clift, che viene consacrato a star di primo livello. Per la sua interpretazione la de Havilland vince, giustamente, l’Oscar come miglior attrice protagonista, il secondo della sua lunga e prolifica carriera.Per la chicca: solo grazie al successo planetario di questo film, il romanzo originale di Henry James fino ad allora pubblicato solo in inglese, venne tradotto in altre lingue.Il dvd riporta il doppiaggio originale fatto quando il film venne distribuito nelle nostre sale con doppiatori del calibro di Lydia Simoneschi, Andreina Pagnani e Giulio Panicali che donano le voci rispettivamente alla de Havilland, alla Penniman e a Clift. Nella sezione extra c’è il trailer originale del film in lingua inglese.

Olivia de Havilland is outstanding as the painfully shy, Plain Jane spinster of the title in this character study set in 19th century New York. Just making Olivia plain and without sparkle is an achievement all on its own. When a charming, handsome young man suddenly pays her all kinds of attention, the heiress, encouraged by her giddy aunt, is only too willing to fall for him. Her wealthy, overbearing father, obviously guilty of robbing his daughter of all self-confidence, is quickly certain the suitor is only after the inheritance. As he observes in a moment of unintentional but indifferent cruelty she has nothing to offer in the way of looks, conversation or achievements, only her money. Clift is so good as the suitor he has the viewer half-believing him sincere and Richardson has the pompous patriarch down pat. Today's audiences may find it overly "stagey" as Wyler only leaves the house and its front door twice, for a ball and to the docks, but the costumes and sets are so good there's plenty to fill the eye. This restored print is very sharp. The score is composed by Aaron Copland, no less, and some may notice the main theme is essentially the same tune as Elvis' "Can't Help Falling In Love With You".

Film di capitale importanza nella storia della cinematografia statunitense e mondiale.Cast impareggiabile, con una Olivia de Havilland dalla bravura eccelsa e degna dell'Oscar e del Golden Globe che le furono meritatamente conferiti.Decine i riconoscimenti che vinse; pellicola scelta nel 1996 per la conservazione nel National Film Registry della Biblioteca del Congresso degli Stati Uniti.Per autentici intenditori ed appassionati di Cinema.

Los aficionados seguimos a la espera de que se editen como es debido los grandes clásicos de manera oficial. En este caso nos encontramos ante una obra maestra de Wilder masacrada en su supuesta edición en alta definición, que es, simplemente, una copia pirata del DVD con "retoques" de imagen.

Es una película de los años cincuenta que a mi personalmente tanto me gustan, dos grandes actores haciendo unos papeles magistrales, doblada al castellano, con un audio un poco bajo, pero bueno eso se pone más volumen y en paz.