The Heiress (1949)

US 115m, B&W
Director: William Wyler; Cast: Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, Ralph Richardson

An engrossing love story about a naive and shy young woman whose overbearing father has contributed to her lack of self-confidence and emotional frailty. Upon meeting a bold and seductive young man, she quickly falls in love, despite her father’s reservations that her suitor is only interested in her family fortune. Though far from unattractive, de Havilland is utterly convincing as her character’s self confidence grows throughout the film. A simple story, and one that has been told in numerous ways, The Heiress is one of the best ugly duckling tales that moves in unexpected directions with a wonderfully cold-hearted conclusion (Klaus Ming May 2014).