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The Heiress

  • 1949
  • Approved
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
18K
YOUR RATING
Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Clift in The Heiress (1949)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:51
1 Video
99+ Photos
Coming-of-AgeDark RomancePsychological DramaDramaRomance

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.

  • Director
    • William Wyler
  • Writers
    • Ruth Goetz
    • Augustus Goetz
    • Henry James
  • Stars
    • Olivia de Havilland
    • Montgomery Clift
    • Ralph Richardson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    18K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William Wyler
    • Writers
      • Ruth Goetz
      • Augustus Goetz
      • Henry James
    • Stars
      • Olivia de Havilland
      • Montgomery Clift
      • Ralph Richardson
    • 174User reviews
    • 58Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 4 Oscars
      • 9 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:51
    Official Trailer

    Photos131

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    + 123
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    Top cast36

    Edit
    Olivia de Havilland
    Olivia de Havilland
    • Catherine Sloper
    Montgomery Clift
    Montgomery Clift
    • Morris Townsend
    Ralph Richardson
    Ralph Richardson
    • Dr. Austin Sloper
    Miriam Hopkins
    Miriam Hopkins
    • Lavinia Penniman
    Vanessa Brown
    Vanessa Brown
    • Mariah
    Betty Linley
    Betty Linley
    • Mrs. Montgomery
    Ray Collins
    Ray Collins
    • Jefferson Almond
    Mona Freeman
    Mona Freeman
    • Marian Almond
    Selena Royle
    Selena Royle
    • Elizabeth Almond
    Paul Lees
    • Arthur Townsend
    Harry Antrim
    Harry Antrim
    • Mr. Abeel
    Russ Conway
    Russ Conway
    • Quintus
    David Thursby
    • Geier
    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)
    • Director
      • William Wyler
    • Writers
      • Ruth Goetz
      • Augustus Goetz
      • Henry James
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director 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.
    • Goofs
      This 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.

    • Connections
      Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to William Wyler (1976)
    • Soundtracks
      Galop di bravura
      (uncredited)
      Music by Julius Schulhoff
      [Dance music at the party]

    User reviews174

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Fantastic Film, fantastic Olivia!

    I saw this film about 10 years ago and have never forgotten it. Why it is not available on DVD - I just don't understand it.

    Olivia de Havilland is heart-breaking as the woman who is so badly treated by her suitors and her father. I felt the portrayal of her father and the cruel way he treats her was so well played out and you could see how her soul is slowly being crushed.

    I was so amazed and touched by the film, I went and got the book it is based on, Henry James' Washington Square. It was superb but nothing will make me forget the look on Olivia De Havilland's face at the end of the movie where you can see her features harden and all her youthful sweetness is gone.

    Brilliant film!
    • sarahlouise77
    • Dec 2, 2004
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 28, 1949 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Naslednica
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $2,600,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $158
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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