The Inheritance (1997)

At the lush Evenswood estate in Concord, Massachusetts, Edith Adelon, a beautiful orphan, lives as the paid companion to the daughter of the wealthy Hamilton family, although they regard ... See full summary »

Director:

Bobby Roth

Writers:

Maria Nation (teleplay), Louisa May Alcott (novel)

Stars:

Cari Shayne, Brigitta Dau, Paul Anthony Stewart

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Cari Shayne	...	Edith Adelon
Brigitta Dau	...	Amy Hamilton
Paul Anthony Stewart	...	Frederick Arlington
Brigid Brannagh	...	Ida Glenshaw
Michael Gallagher	...	Louis
Max Gail	...	Arliss Johnson
Thomas Gibson	...	James Percy
Tom Conti	...	Henry Hamilton
Meredith Baxter	...	Beatrice Hamilton
Alicia Bergman	...	Emma
Michelle Davison	...	Cook
Henry G. Sanders	...	Blacksmith (as Henry Sanders)
Paul Bartel	...	Doctor
Rob Nilsson	...	Minister
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lloyd Gordon	...	Dancer

Storyline

At the lush Evenswood estate in Concord, Massachusetts, Edith Adelon, a beautiful orphan, lives as the paid companion to the daughter of the wealthy Hamilton family, although they regard her as one of their own. Years ago, Henry Hamilton saved Edith from an Italian orphanage at the request of his long-deceased brother. Now, Edith is his daughter Amy's prized friend and confidante. As the Hamiltons await a trio of visitors for the annual Greens Cup horse race, Beatrice Hamilton asks for Edith's help in finding a suitable husband for a cousin, Ida Glenshaw, with one of two visiting eligible bachelors. But when it becomes clear that both the young men have affection for Edith and not Ida, jealousy soon develops, leading to malicious conniving and brutal backstabbing. Despite the growing love between Edith and one of the young suitors, because of their conflicting social classes, the couple is reminded time and again that their love can never be. The Inheritance is a story that centers on...

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Plot Keywords:

estate | horse race | paid companion | massachusetts | inheritance | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Geheimnis der Lady Adelon

Filming Locations:

Greystone Park & Mansion - 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Atlantis Communications, Alliance Communications Corporation, Cosgrove/Meurer Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Henry Hamilton: I was just remembering
[chuckles]
Henry Hamilton: a gust of wind. That first moment... it was summer. You were so young. If I'd been your father, I'd have shot me. You were wearing white and your hair was tied back, so politely. And then a little gust of wind suddenly did what I'd wanted to do since I'd first saw you. It just took a little strand of your hair and just caressed your face with it. And I knew then that I'd love you forever. That's what I'll remember, Bea.

User Reviews

Sweet TV melodrama

I loved this movie so much when I first saw it - I was seriously crying when it wasn't released on video! Thank goodness it's still shown on TV every now and then. This was just a great movie. The story is so sweet (although yes, a little corny). It made me laugh and cry and even worry about how it was all going to end. All of the actors are wonderful. Cari Shayne must be exactly what Louisa May Alcott envisioned, as she is perfect in the role of Edith. Meredith Baxter is lovely, and I was really impressed by an actress named Brigitta Dau, who played Amy - I hope to see more of her in the future. Adorable Tom Conti and gorgeous Thomas Gibson are terrific in their parts - simply perfect casting all around.

As to the story itself - I've read the book, and I have to say the movie is ten times better. The book is awful. If you think the movie is corny, don't TOUCH the book! Yes it's Louisa May Alcott, but honestly, any teenage girl could write a book like that. It's so boring and cheesy, and the over-romanticized plot goes beyond sweet to out-and-out creepy. The movie wisely does not follow the book exactly. It keeps the same theme and story, but instead of all the one-dimensional characters reciting corny lines, they are drawn out more and sound more like real people. And, if sometimes they do seem a little flat (specifically Ida and Edith) just think about what they had to work with. A wonderful adaptation of a not-so-wonderful book.