The Heiress
by William Wyler
List Price:
Our Price: $11.00
You Save: $3.98 (27%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.00 (click here)
Category: VHS Video
See more movie releases
Buy this VHS video movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
VHS Tape Cover Information
Actor: Miriam Hopkins, Montgomery Clift, Olivia de Havilland, Ralph Richardson, Vanessa BrownDirector: William Wyler
Cinematographer: Leo Tover
Producer: William Wyler
Producer: Lester Koenig
Producer: Robert Wyler
Writer: Augustus Goetz
Writer: Henry James
Writer: Ruth Goetz
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Black & White, HiFi Sound, NTSC
Running Time: 115 minutes
Release Date: 1998-01-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Universal Studios
Studio: Universal Studios
VHS Movie Reviews of The Heiress
Movie Review: An "unmarriageble" girl
Summary: 5 Stars
The Heiress (1949) is an outstanding movie - adaptation of the play by Augustus and Ruth Goetz, based on the novel "Washington Square" by great writer, Henry James, The drama of a young, shy, sweet, open to love, rather plain in her appearance but very rich girl takes place in New York City in the mid-1880s. Olivia de Havilland is excellent as Catherine, the heiress of the title, who fells in love with a very good looking young man Morris Townsend(Montgomery Clift in the role that had propelled him to the stardom), who may or may not be after her extraordinary wealth. Catherine's Father, Dr. Austin Sloper (Ralf Richardson) is protective of his daughter and does not trust Moris sincerely felling in love with awkward Catherine. Dr. Sloper constantly compares his daughter to her late mother. Catherine is nothing like her mother whom the girl never knew but who was everything she was not. De Haviland's Catherine is so sweet and nice, she makes a viewer hope that she had found a true love and would be happy with the man of her dreams even if she is not the prettiest or wittiest girl in the world. Will it really happen?
The film was directed by one of the Hollywood's greats, William Wyler and was nominated for eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Black-and-White Cinematography, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White, Best Costume Design, and Best Music Score. Surprisingly, an excellent script which is one of the main reasons of the movie's success was not nominated. The film received four Oscars and deserves them all, especially Ms. de Havilland in one of her very best performances.
Summary of The Heiress
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
Drama VHS Video
VHS Video Movies
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation VHS Video
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics VHS Video
- Comedy VHS Video
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama VHS Video
- Educational
- Fitness
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror VHS Video
- Kids & Family
- Military & War VHS Video
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports VHS Video
- Television VHS Video
- Westerns VHS Video
Movies most talked about in Best Costume Design Black & White 1948-1966
Darling (1965)MGM (Video & DVD); Release date: 1999-03-02; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $1.28
Price in other shops:
Night of the IguanaMGM (Warner); Release date: 1994-06-30; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.00
Price in other shops:
Fellini's 8 1/ 2Mpi Home Video; Release date: 1988-06-22; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $8.53
Price in other shops:
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?Warner Home Video; Release date: 2000-09-26; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $15.95
La Dolce Vita (Uncut and Uncensored Version)Republic Pictures Home Video; Published: 1985; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Facts of LifeMGM (Video & DVD); Release date: 1997-05-27; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $11.49
Price in other shops:
Some Like It Hot (1959)MGM (Video & DVD); Release date: 1998-09-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $4.05
Price in other shops:
Solid Gold CadillacSony Pictures; Release date: 1995-10-17; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $30.00
I'll Cry TomorrowMGM (Warner); Release date: 1994-03-07; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $8.00
Price in other shops:
Sabrina (Special Collecter's Edition)Paramount Home Video; Published: 1996; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $2.29
Similar VHS Movies
Portrait In Black / Madame X (Double Feature)Universal; Release date: 2008-02-05; DVD
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops:
All About Eve (Two-Disc Special Edition)TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2008-04-08; DVD
Best price: $10.12
Price in other shops:
BecketRelease date: 2007-05-15; DVD
Best price: $13.21
Price in other shops:
A Place in the SunParamount; Release date: 2001-08-21; DVD
Best price: $4.27
Price in other shops:
Daisy Kenyon (Fox Film Noir)Daisy; Release date: 2008-03-11; DVD
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops:
The Little FoxesRelease date: 2001-09-18; DVD
Best price: $5.85
Price in other shops:
Ball of FireTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2007-05-22; DVD
Best price: $7.37
Price in other shops:
The Woman in the Window (MGM Film Noir)TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2007-07-10; DVD
Best price: $10.20
Price in other shops:
A Summer PlaceWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-02-06; DVD
Best price: $11.56
Price in other shops:
Jane EyreTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2007-04-24; DVD
Best price: $10.42
Price in other shops: