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Dragonwyck (1946) More at IMDbPro »
39 out of 40 people found the following comment useful :-
"Bow to the Patroon!", 21 April 2004
Author: theowinthrop from United States
At the time that the people of the United States were gearing up for Westward Expansion (and the Mexican War was about to begin), and when the clipper ships were beginning to revolutionize our merchant marine, the biggest problem facing the nation was the slavery issue. But it wasn't the only social issue of the day with vast political and economic repercussions. New York State was struggling too - with the end of the economic system that had been in the upstate counties since the days of the Dutch colony of Nieuw Amsterdam, and it's governor Pieter Stuyvesant. This was the large estates of the patroons - people like the Van Courtlandts and the Schuylers and Livingstons (some of them were English, not Dutch). A series of local battles (literal battles) between small farmers and the patroons' men finally led to the state constitution ending these estates, which had been aristocratic remnants of a dead past. They disappeared by 1848, just in time for the slavery issue to drive all other social problems into the dust.
This subject is not one of the biggies in history movies in America. So DRAGONWYK is one of the few films to tackle it - witness the scenes when Vincent Price is collecting rents from his farmers while seated in his special "patroon" throne. Harry Morgan (far from his kindly "Colonel Potter" role in television's M.A.S.H. here) is one of the more outspoken (and ultimately deadly) foes of Price and this antiquated system of organized peonage.
The film is a dandy little gothic, centering on the seemingly sane, charming Price (Nicholas Van Ryn) who invites his cousin (Gene Tierney) to his home for a visit (her father, Walter Huston, is properly suspicious of the aristocrat - Huston being a democratic, small farmer). There she meets his somewhat fat wife, who eventually gets ill, and dies (the doctor is not sure what illness killed her). And Tierney is wooed by Price, and marries him, and discovers the monster inside him - one seeking a wife like a man seeking a good breeding sow or horse. Drug addiction even gets into the story. But it does follow the end of the patroon system.
Oddly enough though, the novel by Anne Seton was different from this story. Nicholas was as villaninous and crazy in the novel as in the film - but deadlier. Seton knew her history, and arranges to remind the reader of the anti-foreign "Nativist" movement of the 1840s and 50s (which is more memorably dealt with in GANGS OF NEW YORK). It seems Nicholas, in chasing an enemy, fires the gun that causes the Astor Place Riot of 1849, which caused the deaths of several dozen citizens of New York City (supposedly opposed to a British actor playing MACBETH). The novel also ends with the burning of the steamboat HENRY CLAY in 1852, also caused by Nicholas, which killed scores of passengers (including former Mayor Stephen Allan of New York City, and Andrew Jackson Donaldson, the landscape architect who helped plan Central Park). It's a pity these bits were left out, but the film still is good without them.
23 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :-
Dragonwyck an excellent movie, 28 July 2005
Author: Elaine from United States
This is one of my favorite "gothic" romance movies of the 40s. There is a haunting melody throughout and it captures the tragedy and mystery that is Dragonwyck. Gene Tierney is wonderful in the starring role of Miranda, going from love-struck and strong-willed to heart-broken and resigned throughout the course of the movie, playing each scene to perfection.
A side note to Ms. Tierney's portrayal of Miranda in this film - The actress Gene Tierney had a fling with the young John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and first laid eyes on him, watching her, while she is playing a scene with her father, the great actor John Huston, reading the bible to her to determine her course of future action - should she accept the proposal of her cousin, or not. She looked up and there he was, clearly smitten with the beautiful Ms. Tierney, and they began to see each other directly after that - or so Ms. Tierney comments in her marvelous autobiography.
The bible figures prominently in another scene when the imperious Nicholas first makes his appearance, played to haughty perfection by the very tall and very talented Vincent Price. Very dramatic and memorable! The great Jessica Tandy also has a significant role as Miranda's feisty maid. And, what better actress to play the role of the wise and comforting mother, but the marvelous Anne Revere.
See it, if only for the atmospheric and haunting music that stays with you after the film is ended. See it, if only for the beautiful and talented Gene Tierney. See it, if only for the great actors, Vincent Price, John Huston, Anne Revere and Jessica Tandy. It is a little gem of a film!
21 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :-
Enjoyable gothic, 12 June 1999
Author: Oriel from Athens, Georgia
As a fan of both Gene Tierney and Vincent Price, I eagerly sought this film for years before happening upon a broadcast. Since it, most unfortunately, still isn't available on video, I was forced to depend upon network whims. Since I'm also a fervent fan of gothic books and films, I was all the more anxious to see two of my favorite stars in one of my favorite formulae. I'd like to say the film completely fulfilled my hopes. Not quite, perhaps, but it's still a lot of fun, especially for those who follow the stars. (One friend said she thought this was the only Vincent Price film not available on video.)
If you enjoyed _My Cousin Rachel_ (another tragically elusive film!) or the Orson Welles _Jane Eyre_, you'll probably have a good time with _Dragonwyck_. The classic elements are there: lovely, innocent heroine (Tierney); brooding, mysterious, wealthy man (Price); luxurious yet sinister mansion; ghostly and/or murderous plot twists. One plot twist will probably come as absolutely no surprise, given the relentless typecasting of Price (has he ever been a good guy, except in _House of the Seven Gables_? --another great gothic, by the way). Nevertheless his character has touches of subtlety and surprising developments. Tierney's character is perhaps less subtly shaded but does develop nicely over the course of the movie. Jessica Tandy is quite fun in an energetic supporting role, and Tierney's stern, craggy father is another strong supporting character.
Few have probably read the novel that inspired the film, but after seeing the film I sought out the source and I have to say the film tightens up the story considerably. Certainly it makes changes, but overall the film is more satisfying in many ways. It may not be quite in the company of such classics as _Rebecca_ and _Jane Eyre_, but it's nonetheless a lot of fun.
18 out of 20 people found the following comment useful :-
Excellent early Price in a brilliantly Gothic mood piece, 26 October 2005
Author: The_Void from Beverley Hills, England
With shades of Hitchcock's Rebecca, Dragonwyck is a lushly Gothic melodrama; abound with themes of social class; centring on the struggle between the rich and the poor in nineteenth century America. The most striking thing about Dragonwyck is the beauty of the piece. The sets are brilliantly Gothic, while director Joseph L. Mankiewicz keeps the atmosphere thick and foreboding, which in turn ensures that the film succeeds in capturing the best of it's locations. The film reunites the two strongest cast members from Otto Preminger's masterpiece 'Laura' - Gene Tierney and the master of the macabre, Vincent Price. These two are both great thespians, but it is Vincent Price that shines the most. Many people pass this great man off as merely a camp horror movie actor, but with his performance here; along with the vast majority of his later ones - Price proves that he is far more than that. His voice and mannerisms make up a lot of his performances, but it's the subtleties that he hints at beyond his immediate performance that really make him great. Just like he did with The Fall of the House of Usher; Price plays one thing, while all the time hinting at a darker side to his character.
The plot follows a young farm girl (Tierney) who goes to stay with her mother's cousin, Nicholas Van Ryan (Price), in his castle upon his request. It isn't long after her arrival that she hears strange things from the servants, and it's not long after that she realises all isn't quite right with Dragonwyck. The plot is rather thinly spread, but the film always manages to stay interesting because of the fact that it doesn't let you know anything until you really need to know. Things are hinted at throughout the film, but the audience never really knows anything for sure. Even by the time the film reaches it's climax, there are several things that have been left open. Vincent Price's performance here stands out from the rest of his oeuvre because he manages to be charming at the same time as being dark and brooding. After having seen the likes of The Abominable Dr Phibes, it's hard to imagine the man being charming; but here it's hard to imagine why Gene Tierney wouldn't fall for him. Dragonwyck has a few problems, but on the whole this is a quality forties melodrama and comes with high recommendations, especially to the Vincent Price fan.
15 out of 16 people found the following comment useful :-
Gothic atmosphere and Price's presence prevail, 26 December 2004
Author: tayandbay from United States
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Although "Dragonwyck" is not a perfect film (one could quibble regarding it's over-long length), it certainly succeeds as a showcase for period atmosphere and melodrama. Gene Tierney is pretty successful in projecting a character who evolves from a wide-eyed innocent to disillusioned spouse of a cold, meglomaniac addict. Walter Huston (father of John), was a fine old-school character player, and he scores big points in his too-brief scenes as Tierney's reverent but irascible father. Best of all is Vincent Price, in a role that presages his tormented Poe characters in films fifteen to twenty years hence. Price totally inhabits the persona of Van Ryn, symbolizing his proud, gallant strength, and ultimately portraying his pathetic disintegration into weakness, drug addiction, and murder (just like any self-respecting Poe character!!). The film's cinematography and music go a long way toward making this undeservedly forgotten Fox film a winner, one that deserves a pristine DVD release.
13 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :-
An evocative atmosphere of a Hawthorne's tale, 7 May 2000
Author: pzanardo (pzanardo@math.unipd.it) from Padova, Italy
"Dragonwyck" has the atmosphere of a Hawthorne's tale. Typical is the contrast between the clean, blessed New England farm where Miranda (Gene Tierney) lives with her parents, and the bleak, doomed ancient manor where she goes and later marries the aristocratic Van Ryn (Vincent Price). Gene Tierney's angelic beauty and wholesome look perfectly fit to a romantic heroine in Hawthorne's style: she recalls the Phoebe Pyncheon of "The house of seven gables" (the novel; I haven't seen the movie). Miranda shows another typical aspect of Hawthorne's heroines: differently from the classical romantic maiden, Miranda is not apt to be a meek innocent victim of the force of evil, but she is ready to face it and to fight for her life. Note Tierney's skill in entering into the personality of the characters she plays. She was a pattern of sex-appeal in movies such as "Laura" and "Leave Her to Heaven": here her Miranda is an example of maidenly modesty. From her arrival to the castle the scenes become increasingly darker. The black-and-white photography is outstanding. Vincent Price gives his usual superb performance in the role of the mysterious Van Ryn, whose extreme haughtiness and family pride drive him to madness. Of course, nowadays we follow the story of "Dragonwyck" with a certain amount of irony, yet, perhaps for this very reason, the movie is a treat. I wish current movies were like it (and also that present actresses had a beauty comparable to Gene's, but this is plainly unimaginable).
11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
moody film, 27 June 2005
Author: blanche-2 from United States
Anya Seton is one of the great historical fiction writers, up there with Thomas Costain. Like my favorite novel of hers, Green Darkness, Dragonwyck is a moody, atmospheric piece set in another time, and the film version (with nice help from the musical score) is quite good.
Gene Tierney plays a radiant beauty who comes to live at Dragonwyck as a companion to Van Ryn's daughter. She soon falls under the spell of its strange master, played by Vincent Price. Young horror film fans often don't realize that before Vincent Price entered the horror realm, he was a leading man and supporting player in some very good films. With his icy voice and snobbish demeanor, Price is a perfect Van Ryn. As Miranda, Gene Tierney is gorgeous, and needless to say, attracts the interest of not only Price, but Dr. Turner, played by handsome Glenn Langan. Given the politics of Van Ryn, it is surprising to me that Miranda drifted toward him and not to Dr. Turner, with whom she seemed to have more in common, i.e., an empathy toward her fellow man. But she is swept up in the upper class lifestyle and her own childhood dreams. Always a mistake.
There are some disturbing holes in the story. What happens to the little girl and to her maid, for instance, at the end of the film? And what is Van Ryn, dressed in his bathrobe, doing in Miranda's room while she's in bed? Seems odd for those times, and given Miranda's background (the daughter of God-fearing, Bible-reading parents), it's totally out of character for her to have let him in.
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
Good thriller, 29 July 1999
Author: Rosabel from Ottawa, Canada
This is a rare case where the movie adaptation is more enjoyable than the novel it was based on. I liked Vincent Price immensely in this movie; he is creepy yet seductive, and I can readily imagine a young woman getting caught in his web without realizing the danger. He adds much more nuance and subtlety to the character of Van Ryn, who in the novel came across as just a scary guy to be avoided at all costs. I wish it would come out on video - it's definitely an enjoyable "rainy day" movie.
7 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
I'm in love with Gene Tierney....AND Vincent Price!, 4 October 2005
Author: Coventry from the Draconian Swamp of Unholy Souls
With "Laura" being my all-time favorite film, I simply couldn't wait to watch "Dragonwyck", a movie that reunites Gene Tierney and Vincent Price once more, this time in a genuine Gothic setting! And although not as mesmerizing as "Laura" (that's hardly possible), this is an enchanting and sophisticated drama/thriller with brilliant dialogues and filming locations that look like beautiful postcard-images. Joseph L. Mankiewicz's screenplay contains few surprises, but the intrigue and mystery is professionally upheld thanks to the solid acting performances and the nearly flawless recreation of the 1840's life-styles. "Dragonwyck" tells the story of a beautiful farmer's daughter Miranda who leaves her Conneticut home to go and live with wealthy landlord (and very distant relative) Nicolas Van Ryan. He treats her as a princes, but Van Ryan is a man with two faces and, soon after their sudden marriage, Miranda experiences that her husband is an ill-natured, egoistic and mad tyrant. Nicolas can't accept that the farmers working on his estate stand up for themselves and he works off his hatred on poor Miranda. Gene Tierney and Vincent Price are a terrific classy movie-couple (as charismatic as Humprey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in my humble opinion) and their performances alone make "Dragonwyck" a must-see. Tierney is simply adorable and Price, still in an early phase of his great career, looks naturally evil and frightening. Director/scriptwriter Mankiewicz is mostly famous for "All About Eve", but I can't help loving "Dragonwyck" a whole lot more. Beautiful film, highly recommended!
7 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Chilling film that leaves you wanting more!, 21 July 2000
Author: Em-20
Gene Tierney is invited to stay with Vincent Price and his family at the Dragonwyck castle. When she arrives she is enamored by the new lifestyle in which she will live. Mysterious things begin to stir within the family. Price becomes equally enamormed with Tierney, his wife becomes suddenly ill, his daughter shows no love for either parents, and the mysterious tower all play an important part in this tangled web. A must see for anyone who likes suspense!
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