The Heiress

William Wyler’s riveting drama features a spine-chilling turn from Olivia de Havilland, as a young woman struggling to escape the patriarchal trappings of her home.

  • Director

    William Wyler

  • With

    Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, Ralph Richardson, Miriam Hopkins

  • USA 1949. 115min

  • Digital

  • Certificate

    U

Wyler’s flair for psychological warfare is on full display in this grippingly tense Henry James adaptation. De Havilland brings depth and complexity to the anxious, downtrodden Catherine, seduced by the unexpected promise of a handsome stranger. Set almost entirely within a Manhattan townhouse weighted with expectation and genteel cruelty, this is a beautifully crafted journey of defiance, conflict and ambiguity.

Ruby McGuigan

The screening of The Heiress on Wednesday 3 April will be introduced by Ruby McGuigan, BFI Programme and Acquisitions.