My Cousin Rachel (1952)

A young man plots revenge against the woman he believes murdered his cousin, but his plans are shaken when he comes face to face with the enigmatic beauty.

Director:

Henry Koster

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson (screen play), Daphne Du Maurier (from the novel by) (as Daphne du Maurier)

Stars:

Olivia de Havilland, Richard Burton, Audrey Dalton

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Olivia de Havilland	...	Rachel Ashley (as Olivia deHavilland)
Richard Burton	...	Philip Ashley
Audrey Dalton	...	Louise Kendall
Ronald Squire	...	Nicholas Kendall
George Dolenz	...	Guido Rainaldi
John Sutton	...	Ambrose Ashley
Tudor Owen	...	Seecombe
J.M. Kerrigan	...	Rev. Pascoe

Storyline

When Philip Ashley's much-loved (and rich) cousin Ambrose dies, he is convinced that Ambrose was murdered by his new wife Rachel to inherit his wealth. But when he meets Rachel and falls in love with her, he knows that his suspicions must have been unfounded. But were they, or is Rachel just trying to use Philip to get at the estate Ambrose left to him instead of to her? And will she murder him next?

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Plot Keywords:

period drama | love | suspicion | cornwall | brain tumor | 

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Taglines:

"She makes a secret potion for her lovers to drink!"

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

24 December 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Daphne du Maurier's My Cousin Rachel

Filming Locations:

Stage 6, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Burton in seen in almost every scene. But got his Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, as Olivia de Havilland was the star.

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Quotes

Philip Ashley: Blessed Rachel, only you can know now this burden that I must carry to the end of my days. This question that I must ask myself, again and again, every day of my life, never to be answered now, until we meet at last in Purgatory. Were you innocent, or were you guilty? Rachel, my torment. My blessed, blessed torment.

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Connections

Version of My Cousin Rachel (1983)

User Reviews

Winner of four Oscar nominations including Richard Burton, Best Supporting Actor...

If Gothic romance is your thing, you won't find a more absorbing and intriguing tale than this adaptation of Daphne DuMaurier's best-selling novel, MY COUSIN RACHEL. Not only is the atmosphere completely realized, but the elegant performances make the story even more compelling to watch as it unfolds a tale of possible murder and cunning deceit. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards for best costumes, B&W cinematography, art decoration and Burton's supporting role performance (which is actually a leading role).

RICHARD BURTON cuts a fine figure as the romantic hero of the piece--brooding, intense and passionate, reminding one of Heathcliff in the Bronte novel, "Wuthering Heights." He's an angry and impressionable youth who intends to accuse his cousin of murder based on his suspicious nature, but instead falls wildly in love with her the instant they meet.

OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND matches Burton scene by scene, her charming manners and poise as a woman of the world understandably provoking his interest. At first, he assumes she wants to claim her inheritance when she visits Cornwall. But soon he is able to see her in a different light and when he falls in love with her, he decides to leave his entire inheritance to her on his 25th birthday. It is then that the story becomes even more compelling when the ambiguous nature of Rachel comes at long last to the surface.

Franz Waxman has written a very dramatic and powerful background score that adds dimension to the Gothic tale that begins when a boy and his guardian walk across the moors and come to a gibbet where a man is hanging. "Always remember, Philip, death is the price for murder." And that's how the film's brief prologue begins.

It's richly scored, well directed by Henry Koster and features two outstanding performances from Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton. Equally fine are John Sutton as Rachel's ill-fated husband, Audrey Dalton, Ronald Squire and George Dolenz.

Despite the ambiguous ending, it's an absorbing tale that is satisfying in its execution