"This is perhaps the best screen adaptation of a Henry James work so far. At the time, there was some grumbling about the loss of Wendy Hiller's magnificent stage portrayal in the title role, but Ralph Richardson, as the tyrannical Dr. Sloper, obliterated all fears about the film version of The Heiress. William Wyler brought all of his attention to period and sense of texture to this recreation of Washington Square elegance during the 19th century, and Olivia de Havilland, scrupulously aware of the award-winning possibilities in her role, is strongly impressive as a gentle spirit tottering into spinsterhood. The production is so finely-honed and effortless that it represents American cinema at its best. Montgomery Clift, as a handsome-but-poor suitor to the heiress, gives a flawless performance that touches guile with persuasive ambiguity, and the overall atmosphere is embellished with a fine musical score by Aaron Copland. The Heiress has definitely withstood the test of passing time and remains a classic." Albert Johnson