Wicked Derrick De Mornay (Uncle Silas) and his partner in crime Katina Paxinou (Madame de la Rougierre) spend the film trying to get their hands on the fortune left to Jean Simmons (Caroline). The setting is a large Gothic mansion with its fireplaces, corridors and general spooky largeness. Cousin Manning Whiley (Dudley) is yet another family member who is part of the plot to get the dough out of Simmons.It's a peculiar film in that it combines menace with humour. De Marney is more of a cartoon comedy character – he's evil but with a nod and a wink. As for Katina Paxinou, she is brilliant. She is scary but provides hilarious moments, especially her fondness for a swig of brandy! However, whilst these characters are the standout baddies, they don't quite work in the context of the film's themes because they are so amusing. Paxinou does manage to carry off evil but it's a friendly kind of evil. It is her appearance and her costumes which are the most disturbing aspect to her character. She's brilliant and the film's clear favourite character. Simmons, whilst OK, needs to grow a pair. She's too nice for too long.The film is actually pretty slow at the beginning – where is it going? And there are a few scenes that drag, particularly the dance sequence where everyone is gossiping. I'm afraid it's just tedious. For a spooky film it isn't very spooky – only Paxinou scores on this front. Thank goodness for Paxinou. And pass the wine – straight out of the bottle, please. Ha ha.

This picture gets off to a very slow start as the director and screenwriter laboriously set the table for events to come. Carolyn Ruthyn (Jean Simmons) is heiress to her father's fortune, and upon his demise is sent to live with his brother, eccentric Uncle Silas. Matters take some nasty turns as Uncle Silas turns out to be a rotter.The film really picks up steam with the appearance of Katina Paxinou as the governess-from-hell, who is an arresting presence and lights up the screen in every scene she is in. She lends credence to a movie which limps along without her and elevates the acting level, which is remarkably pedestrian save for Jean Simmons. I felt Derrick De Marney as Uncle Silas was too finicky and lacked menace, and was not a good choice for the role. The director finally gets the Gothic feel of the story correct from midpoint on in the scenes at Unlce Silas' estate, and from here the story becomes tense and suspenseful.If you can find it, "The Inheritance" is well worth your time, chiefly for the two female leads who carry the picture. The first half is a chore, but stick with it and you will be rewarded with an exciting 90 minutes - more, if you can find an uncut British version.

Jean Simmons plays the heroine, beautiful, kind and with some backbone. The reason for the title change in the USA is because it was her inheritance that attracted trouble, through no fault of her own. Some lovely costumes to enjoy, particularly the New Years Eve ball, as well as an insight into the disappearing English tradition of "mummers" performing a folk tale at Christmas. Frankly the movie is on the melodramatic side, but what is interesting is the lighting, camera work and POV (points of view) of the camera. It is an enjoyable film to watch, but the bad characters are all very bad, and the good all ever so good. Still, Jean makes a great go of it, and the camera work rewards the viewer! Some fun fight scenes too!

This could have been a wonderful film with it's Gothic atmosphere and well-researched period detail (clothes, interiors). But it's hammy, cartoony and over-simplified. Jean Simmons is simpering and wet - oh, sorry, of course I mean cute and vulnerable, Uncle Silas and his son crude and her admirer wooden. Why must Christmas scenes of the 19th century always involve those tedious mummers? Jean Simmons' skirts are far too light and filmy, and young ladies in them days didn't run about at top speed showing lots of leg clad in pantalettes. They wore nothing under those petticoats and had to move more circumspectly. Read the book!