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The Heiress

The Heiress

Drama · Romance · History · 1949

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.

Movie details

The Heiress

“A truly great motion picture.”

1949 Drama · Romance · History 1h 55m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.8 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Heiress?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

William Wyler

Written by

Augustus Goetz · Ruth Goetz

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

Maria

Mona Freeman

Mona Freeman

Maria Almond

Ray Collins

Ray Collins

Jefferson Almond

Court is in session

Put The Heiress on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.