Overview
A tale of love and betrayal unfolds in the opulent world of 19th-century New York City.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- austere
- melancholic
- psychologically intense
- classic cinema evening
- literary adaptation marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful, meticulously controlled period drama elevated by William Wyler’s direction and exceptional principal performances, especially Olivia de Havilland’s transformation of Catherine.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Catherine develops from a shy, dependent daughter into a self-protective woman after betrayals by her father and Morris.
Morris’s courtship is continually judged against Catherine’s inheritance and the possibility that he is a fortune hunter.
Dr. Sloper engineers Catherine’s separation from Morris and withholds the full basis of his opposition.
The Washington Square home, society parties, embroidery, and chaperoned courtship emphasize Catherine’s confinement within elite convention.
Films like The Heiress, and why
Carrie
shared period romance, social class conflict, and psychologically severe family drama
The Portrait of a Lady
shared Henry James adaptation, repressed desire, inheritance anxiety, and elegant nineteenth-century social drama
The Age of Innocence
shared restrained period romance, patriarchal social pressure, and emotionally devastating transformation
The House of Mirth
shared cynical courtship, wealth and marriage calculations, and morally ambiguous romantic drama
Movie Details
- Director
- William Wyler
- Release Date
- 1949-10-06
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (287)
Cast
- Olivia de Havilland
- Montgomery Clift
- Ralph Richardson
- Miriam Hopkins
- Vanessa Brown
- Mona Freeman
- Ray Collins
- Betty Linley
- Selena Royle
- Paul Lees
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Heiress about?
- A shy nineteenth-century heiress is caught between a controlling father and a charming suitor whose motives may be governed by her fortune.
- What is The Heiress like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Heiress as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Heiress violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Heiress.
- What did critics think of The Heiress?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful, meticulously controlled period drama elevated by William Wyler’s direction and exceptional principal performances, especially Olivia de Havilland’s transformation of Catherine.
- Which films are like The Heiress?
- Films with a similar feel include Carrie, The Portrait of a Lady, The Age of Innocence, and The House of Mirth.
- How long is The Heiress?
- The Heiress runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Heiress?
- In United States, The Heiress is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
