He says it all when he says she has nothing to gain in marrying anybody…..that’s how he sees the exchange……and that’s what upsets her the most. She wanted love.

What an incredible person. Both the men whom she loved with all her heart were cruel to her, thinking only of themselves. She finds herself when she realizes the beauty that's in her heart. And in the end, she doesn't hate or resent although she would have every reason to. She can still feel love for the children although she never has children of her own. Both her father and her beau never realized what an amazingly sweet and loving person they were dealing with. Always wanting something that was out of their reach, instead of loving what was right under their nose.

She talks about how her memories are all she had over the years and that is what in the end made her strong was that !

I too loved once, real, deep & true but the object of my attention & affections ended up hurting me very badly and I also felt that pain for years. While time may heal some broken hearts, some never do and we go on existing without romantic love with it’s sweet, comforting & satisfying presence in our lives.

No one can beat Olivia deHavilland's performance as Catherine Porter. Just the scene where she hears Morris' voice at the door is so well played. It goes from nostalgic love to hard-edged hatred in one brief second. And certainly her triumphant climb up the staircase is breathtaking.

I loved Olivia De Haveland in The Heiress. I used to watch TCM, all the time, with my mom. But Jennifer Jason Leigh is great in this. She breaks my heart. The last scene is so sad. I cry every time I see this. Love it though.

At this time, in many states, when a woman married her husband assumed total control over his wife’s money and property. These laws were not changed until the 20th Century.

James's own comment is "The only good thing in the story is the girl." This is about Catherine Sloper, and Roger Ebert's review points out the same thing. This novel is between Daisy Miller (1878) and The Portrait of a Lady (1881): James's main themes about the clash of the old and new, the abused woman who "affronts her destiny" and finds it overwhelming. James is a real pioneer for writers like Virginia Woolf. It's never a tragic "love story." It's like Daisy Miller and The Portrait of a Lady. The director and Jennifer Jason Leigh do it justice. Morris, like her father and the aunt who treats it as her entertainment, are never important, only serve as the means to reflect the abuse a woman could take. Not to mention the "chemistry" between her and the man who abuses her and doesn't deserve her love.

This movie broke my heart

Thanks so much for posting Morris´s and Catherine´s final dialogue...it´s both beautiful and heartbreaking.

he treated her no better than her father had

I don’t think you can compare this movie to the other or to the book. I believe this film should be seen for what it is, A different interpretation of the characters entirely. Washington Square is tragic love story. A missed opportunity for both characters. Morris chose money over love and now is regretful. Catherine still loves him but like she said, he hurt her and won’t take him back. Beautiful film.

Everybody here claims that her life is broken. But is it really too late for her to get married and have chidlren? She was a teenager when she met him. How long has he been away? How many years? Consider: Catherine became not only a heiress but also a famous woman in town due to her voluntary work. Towards the end she has a lot of friends and must also have lots of admirers. Consider also: She replies "I did not wish to marry" So she speaks in the past form. She didn't say "I do not wsh to marry." And in the next second, she looks straight into his eyes and says "I have nothing to gain." She meant Morris. She has nothing to gain by marrying Morris. But she obviously still wants to marry in the future.

This is one of those remakes in which I like as much as the original. Olivia De Havalland was fantastic in "The Heiress" in which she won an Oscar. I also like Jennifer Jason Leigh. Leigh is more demure in this role and even more reserved. For me it's hard to say which one is better. Normally I don't favor remakes. The novel "Washington Square"- Henry James(1880)is still my favorite over the films. The end is slightly different, but outstanding.

Do you and injustice?! Seriously?! You can’t even apologize let alone take responsibility. She would have easily given up the life she had with her father if it meant being with you

В мире стандартов на внешность, красоту, поведение... сохранить чистоту ,любовь, верность идеалу, личную свободу, - это вершина жизни Что ещё можно желать?

Still BS'ng her the very end. As soon as daddy drops dead, he comes sniffing around...

I love the ending where she goes to live with her friends on "The Ton"!

Morris seemed to be an amiable gold digger. What's the big deal that he chose her for the money? She was flattered and excited by his attention because of his good looks and charm. They both had something valuable to offer and seemed to generally like each other. Doesn't this set up usually work with the unattractive, wealthy older man trading comfort and security for the woman's elegance and looks. Many fine marriages have started this way and grown into deep love. A little humor and wit between Morris and Catherine would have gone a long way in bringing honesty to their situation. That would have allowed room for real love and respect to develop. The tragedy was the father stealing her dignity and rubbing her nose in it. Very cruel and unnecessary. Why could he not see the wealth as a gift that improved her prospects? A little Jane Austen practicality was needed.

She and her family must thank him in the end. They finally saw who her father truly was. A bitter man who was incapable of love and compassion

This is such a good movie.

Morris returned more penniless than before hoping Catherine would marry Him and give Him another chance. But Catherine knew His intentions. And she refused to get hurt again. I don’t blame Her and yet, with a quiet soft response she says to Him. I am not mad but please do not come here again. Good for Her.

I really loved this ending. It was excellent. For some reason, I started thinking of the song “I will remember you.” which is about a break-up that wasn’t hateful.

one of best movies i watched...

It was a good movie she deserves better I know I deserve better too guys wanna use me I'll be like her and say never come here again

My all-time-favorite movie ending.

In 1974 there was an anthology series called Affairs of the Heart based on the works of Henry James. The episode "Catherine" is based on the novel Washington Square. Not having read the original book, the ending is strikingly different. Morris returns and for a moment it appears Catherine will sweetly take him back. Then her manner changes as she tells him she knows he really was a gold-digger, yet she still wants him. She coldly lays out her rules of their relationship. She remains the sole controller of her money and property. Morris will only receive an allowance for his clothes. He is to do her bidding, not the other away around. She intends to have no more than three children. Morris is quite shocked at hearing Catherine's proposal but silently seems to accept it as he leaves the room to fulfill one of her orders. Catherine looks at a portrait of her mother and apologizes to her that she is really more like her father as she also leaves the room. Affairs of the Heart can currently be seen on the Freevee streaming channel. Hopefully the series will continue to run there. Two other episodes, "Grace" and "Elizabeth" are fun and charming to watch.

@Alec Sorensen Having just finished the novel, I can say with full confidence that this is much closer to the actual ending (though she returned to her embroidery, not the piano), while the Heiress' ending is an invention. In the actual ending he arrives late at night, with Aunt Pennington springing the news that he wanted to see her just a few minutes before he shows up--Catherine is taken off guard and reacts as she does in this scene. There's a further scene between Morris and Aunt Pennington that this version cuts, but I think this ending better in that regards as the extra Pennington/Morris scene doesn't really add anything beyond indicating that Catherine has gotten under Morris' skin by not giving him the satisfaction of an emotional breakdown.

I love this film so much

Katherine's father and Morris Townsend both were unkind to her, but Townsend was despicable. He only wanted her money, and he returned to her only out of need. The man had admitted to no wrongdoing and must have thought she would consider herself lucky to have him back. Katherine's father wanted to protect her, and shield her from harm. At the same time, he resented his daughter for the death of his wife, and he clearly didn't think she had anything to offer to anyone. She was nothing but a dim-witted, naive girl to him, and she ended up becoming sheltered and received very little affection from him. Katherine shows that she's more than what is expected of her. She's a loving, feeling, and hopeful, young woman that can think and decide for herself, learning the hard way what love is and what it is not. This movie really is thought provoking.

you hurt me to badly

I love the ORIGNAL 1949 version better olivia de havalland owed that part n got n oscar for it!! This one is ummm ok ....

Wait, I'm a bit confused... In the final scene of the play/novel Catherine leads Morris to believe she will elope with him. Morris the leaves to make the arrangements; however upon his return he finds that Catherine has locked the door and pulled the curtains. It's perhaps the most powerful scene of The Heiress. Wonder why they chose to cut it out...

Je ne me lasse pas de cette merveille !....

Filme belíssimo... Não canso de ver.

I love this movie. I own it on dvd and vhs. How can I upload it.

Olivia de Havillan y Montgomery los mejores 👍🏽,la versión de 1949,la mejor 👏🏽

That is only in the play not the novel. The ending in the novel is different yet again to this

Me encanta esta película los actores fant´asticos

I know it's always been a Hollywood tradition to remake famous movies but in the case of "The Heiress" which here is now called by it's original title "Washington Square" it seems a bit pointless as the original is possibly one of the finest movies ever made with acting that makes the new version seem detached and actually in parts quite boring. Add to that an asinine music score compared to Copland's for the original and the whole thing pales by comparison.

I have always perceived “The Heiress” and “Washington Square” as two different entities: “Washington Square” is based on the novel itself while “The Heiress” is based upon the playwright version of the novel. My review focuses more on the actual performances themselves. “The Heiress” film has an outstanding cast beginning with Ralph Richardson’s performance as Dr. Sloper. He contains so well his desire to care for his daughter. However, the light caustic speech inflection toward Catherine reveals his distaste towards her as a poor substitute for his diseased wife. Likewise, Olivia da Havilland’s speech pattern begins as frail and terribly insecure in her desire to please her father. When she realizes his animosity towards her, the vocal inflection hardens sharply. This aspect solidifies in how Catherine inherits her father’s behavior in losing the love of her life. These two characters dominate the film. “Washington Square” lacks this essential aspect with Alfred Finney & JJL as the principals. Whether it be the script or directorial choice, the two just lack chemistry and spark. Their performances are overshadowed by Maggie Smith as the meddlesome Aunt Penniman & Judith Ivey as Mrs. Almond the far more reasonable, pragmatic aunt. However, this version contains the less emphatic ending regarding her fortune and her last encounter toward Morris. It is closer to the actual novel even though it is less theatrical. Two distinct versions of my favorite James’s novella-my suggestion is to give them both a try.

Amazing film

Si vous n'ajoutez pas le musique de fin l'extrait perd tout son sens

Very interesting to compare this with the final scene of the 1949 version. More minimal, spare, very of the time in which it was made. Yet emotionally also somewhat simplistic, I think. Not sure which version is more true, maybe just different interpretations. But Jennifer Leigh seems too contemporary. Even the Morris actor seems more of the period.

definetely need the full movie.

Single white female goes to Washington Square.

nada supera el final ! de la película de William Wayler ese enorme director genio del cine!! los que no la vieron ! véanla es una joya !con una Olivia de Havilland única una Cathrine!! inolvidable!!!está se parece el guión a el libro!! igual me gustó la actuación de Jennifer Jason Leigh !! una gran actriz!!

JJL was an unusual choice for this role. Isn't it amazing how she pulled it off?

I been trying to find this movie on line. A guy from work told me about this and he usually picks good movies to watch.

This version seems to lack the subtlety of the 1949 film version starring the greats Montgomery Clift and Olivia deHavilland. This scene feels like its modernized, they state their intentions too bluntly and in the open, there is no ambiquity at all of their intentions (mainly the lady´s).

the heiress is a rolls. This is a toyota

Idiot he had to have the cash, he could have had the girl instead. A loyal loving kind girl.

That's so boring but I have exam 💔

youtube rats have no right to sell as if it is their. it is a precious movie

Far less symbolic, and powerful, than the original; in 1949, Catherine is far more strong, and hieratic, than in this "politically correctly sensitive to women" version, a la post 1980's fake feminism. This is too "cute", Morris is so sensible, so fakely fashionably sensitive, as Jewel said in one of her best songs. The piano song, the leaning faces, the little girl, the intergenerational wwwwwoman complicity, one feels like grabbing a gluten free sandwich made of sensible 20 cereal bread which has been certified organic, and free of growth hormones. Lo and behold, that a disobedient crumb, should ever fall, on the gleaming hardwood floor! It is something else, what Olivia pronounces, and when she cuts the thread, like the Fate Atropos, after embroidering the " z", last letter, of the alphabet: "I shall never make another!", she announces, prophetic, and Penelope like. She then cuts the thread of the life of the tail, the symbolic tail. This version is for ivy league women's college students, the director, obviously, has absolutely not the least concept of myth. A strong woman, here, Catherine? Heck no! You should see a strong and immense woman, in William Wyler's version! The character of Catherine, here, is certainly as pleasing to convention as can be! A little melancholy, in a perfectly decorated room. A smoke-free room. Melancholy, but without excess: one would not want to create drama. As in Greek Drama.

Not good. Henry James took all the romantic melodrama out of a familiar story to make it a psychological novel. The Goetz's put the melodrama back in to make the tale playable on stage and then again on film. This movie wants it both ways and gets neither. The final scene is the book is vastly different than this sort of weepy Masterpiece Theater conclusion. This film is a waste of time. Buy a Blu-Ray of The Heiress and a hardcover of the novel Washington Square and enjoy them both--for differing reasons.

This movie is a travesty of the Henry James novella and the Ruth and Augustus Goetz dramatization, "The Heiress". Ridiculous scenes are added to appeal to "modern" audiences for laughs, to shock, or to titillate; for laughs, the child Catherine urinating when forced to perform at a party, to shock, the bloody death of Catherine's mother in childbirth, and to titillate, a couple fucking in the next booth in a tavern where Aunt Lavinia has gone to meet Morris. All of this is vulgar, and unworthy of James. Finally, Leigh's performance is ghastly. In fact, it's not so much a performance as it is an attempt to replicate a Carol Burnett spoof of Olivia de Havilland's superb work in "The Heiress". If you've never seen this version of "Washington Square," don't waste your time.

This is awful. It’s empty characters. Watch the original