The Heiress
Seen it?1949 | 115 min | Drama, Romance, History
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won 4 Oscars. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and history buffs. If you loved Anna Karenina or The Duchess, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 55 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1949: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In 1840s New York, the uneventful and boring days of the daughter of a wealthy doctor come to an end when she meets a dashing poorer man — who may or may not be after her inheritance.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.8 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 4 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Actress, Academy Awards: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration – Black-and-White, Academy Awards: Best Costume Design – Black and White, Academy Awards: Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture. Also nominated for 4 more Oscars, 2 more Golden Globes and 1 WGA Award. Plus 2 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3 million worldwide on a $3 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 66K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by William Wyler
- Olivia de HavillandCatherine Sloper
- Montgomery CliftMorris Townsend
- Ralph RichardsonDr. Austin Sloper
- Miriam HopkinsLavinia Penniman
- Vanessa BrownMaria
- Mona FreemanMaria Almond
- Ray CollinsJefferson Almond
- Betty LinleyMme. Montgomery
- Selena RoyleElizabeth Almond
- Paul LeesArthur Townsend