The Inheritance (1997 TV Movie) User Reviews

Quite enjoyable

[axsmashcrushallthree · 7/10 · 1 January 2007]

I enjoyed this presentation of Louisa May Alcott's "The Inheritance". The story is broad and interesting, with great propulsion and a particularly satisfying ending. The characters initially appear to be broad as well, but the additions of class and gender consciousness flesh things out in such a way as one might expect from authors such as Jane Austin or Charlotte Bronte.

The story is beautifully photographed with excellent ensemble acting performed by numerous old pros, such as Tom Conti, Meredith Baxter, Max Gail, and others. Look fast for an amusing cameo by Paul Bartel as a doctor - it made me wish that Mary Woronov would have been cast as Ida.

I'd wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone. 7 out of 10.

unforgettable and warm my heart

[ferden84 · 8/10 · 27 March 2009]

i have seen it at a Sunday afternoon when i was in middle school. when the movie finished i begin to search the information of it from the internet. u know that is 1999 or 1998 it's really hard to find some English for me because of my poor English....and just 1min ago, when i searching something others the word"Inheritance" made me remind this movie and that warm feeling coming back. i still remember the end of the story, the hostess used to be cultivate the first rose that's so sweet and after that when i buy the rose i will remember this sweet story no matter it's really or just a story. and there's a surprise that the act of James Percy. explain why when i see criminal minds i always think Hotch is so familiar it's really worth to see and remember

I loved it

[Hilke · 7/10 · 3 November 2000]

I loved every moment of the movie. They all are great actors. They made me cry and laugh. Also the locations are beautiful and well chosen. One of the best movies I ever saw. I still enjoy it and I've seen it about 10 times

Simple and Sweet Story

[Kwantic · 18 June 2006]

I've seen this movie about 5 or more times, and it never ceases to touch me. I'm a huge fan a Louisa May Alcott (Little Women is one of my all time favorite books). So it greatly surprised me that I enjoyed the movie better then the book. The movie was well done, sticking to the book, but also changing a few details. They changed enough details to improve the over all story, but not enough to create a whole new story. For fans of the book, there's no reason that you won't enjoy this film. This movie presents a simple, sweet, and at times moving story. Edith is a 'servant' in the Hamilton's house. A Young Women of character, something that's so rare these days. The actors do a great job portraying there roles. Scenery for this movie is breath taking. Definitely worth every penny you spend to buy it.

No title

[ElliesWonder · 6/10 · 10 July 2017]

A 20 years old movie which made in 1997.

Good to kill time with all the nice clothing and fancy houses setting. I chose to watch this movie by reading some reviews from others saying: this movie is amazing and Jane Austen's fans will love it.

Excuse me, I'm afraid to ask, how dare them compare this movie to Jane Austen's pieces?

The story plot: Yes, this is a pure simple love story, simple love, simple conflict, simple character; Everything is simple, nothing deep.

Pleasant but predictable

[medievallady · 6/10 · 30 May 2022]

The story is a "sweet" romance, but the title gives away the ending. Thomas Gibson is nice as the romantic hero archetype, the steady young man who falls in love with a girl socially beneath him, but wants to marry her anyway. The aunt and uncle raise an orphan child as their own, but of course it turns out she should have inherited their property. You know Edith will be accused of stealing her aunt's jewelry, but the real thief will confess, the aunt will regret accusing her falsely and vicious Ida will get her comeuppance. It's unbelievable that Edith will burn the proof of her inheritance, but you know the thief will steal it too before it's destroyed and reveal it at the right moment. It's also unbelievable that the uncle would have kept his brother's trunk unopened (with the will unread inside) for nearly 20 years. Surely the law would have required a search with an inheritance at stake and the deceased seeming intestate. But if you get past that it isn't a bad way to spend a couple of hours, particularly for lovers of Alcott and Austen. The settings and costumes are lovely.

Inherit this one and you receive a treasure; if not, go buy one today!

[inkblot11 · 9/10 · 6 July 2010]

Henry Hamilton (Tom Conti, excellent) and his wife, Beatrice (Meredith Baxter) have a lovely, upstate New York property in the late 1800's. Their only child, Amy, loves books and reading and loathes going outdoors. She is on the verge of womanhood. Also in their household, since her infancy, is a young lady of similar age, Edith (Cari Shayne). Edith was the daughter of a servant in Henry's brother's home in Italy and, when the sibling died, the Hamiltons took charge of the baby. She has been reared with love but is also a servant in the Hamilton household, being a companion for their child, Amy. There is a definite distinction between the girls, with Beatrice reminding Edith that when Amy marries, she, Edith, will have to look for a new position or marry herself. The sweet, loving "companion" never raises her voice about anything but, when the world gets too difficult, she goes for a ride on one of the horses on the property, being an excellent rider. Now into the home comes two guests who will be living there indefinitely. One is a distant cousin, Ida (Brigid Brannagh), an unmarried lady who, though quite beautiful and relatively young, is still without a husband. Beatrice hopes to matchmake her with their other guest, James Percy (Thomas Gibson), an old friend who has been unlucky in love, too. However, the best laid plans often stumble! James and Edith are almost instantly taken with each other, despite the differences in their status, while Ida proves to be a catty, deceiving shrew who lives to make trouble. A son of a local richman, Frederick (Paul Anthony Stewart) catches her eye, but, he seems attentive to Edith, too, making the situation even more complicated. Then, too, there is someone stealing Mrs. Hamilton's jewels on the sly and Henry wants to enlist Edith as the horsewoman for his prize stallion in a local race. No woman has ever entered before, though the rules don't forbid it. In all of these twists and turns, how will it all end, especially in the romantic category? And, are there more secrets to uncover? This movie is a treasure so make you own inheritance and buy a copy soon...got mine at the local grocery for $4.99! What an unbelievable bargain for a romantic drama fan! Also, this tale is TRUE and was originally a work of non-fiction by Louisa May Alcott. Fascinating stuff, makes one want to run to the library or Internet. The cast is just wonderful, with Conti leading the way. He is absolutely excellent as the caring patriarch while Baxter looks sensational and is likewise great in her role as the matron with a heart who nonetheless believes in the class structure of the times. Shayne and the very handsome Gibson make a lovely, sweet couple in waiting while Brannagh is quite fun as the prickly pear of a woman. All other cast members, including Stewart and Max Gail, are very fine, too. As for the film's appearance, what a stunning bit of scenery, costuming and cinematography! This is a gorgeous looking movie while its substance, as evidenced by its script and direction, is extremely worthy as well. Then, too, its G-rated content makes it suitable for every potential viewer, young and old. Do you enjoy romantic, substantive, and family-oriented films which are also quite, quite good? Seek this one out in the next couple hours for your loved ones.

Delightful

[Kearibear · 7/10 · 26 March 2005]

Such a delightful sentimental wholesome period piece, with a really good cast. Cari Shayne does an excellent job with Louisa May Alcott's character, Edith Adelon, bringing to life the sweet, spirited, caring orphan girl taken in by the Hamilton family who grows up as a companion to their daughter Amy. Tom Conti as Henry Hamilton lends a caring fatherly figure to the movie, and Meredith Baxter as Beatrice Hamilton as always is wonderfully believable. Thomas Gibson as family friend James Percy is a gentleman to fall in love with, just as I did from watching him in the TV series "Dharma and Greg". I've seen "The Inheritance" twice now, and would watch it again and again. It's a classic in my book.

Sweet TV melodrama

[Liza-19 · 10/10 · 9 February 2003]

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.

By the numbers pap

[anabissell · 3/10 · 25 May 2008]

I rented this film because I love Tom Conti, and when he's on screen, I enjoyed it. Otherwise, it's formulaic and stagy: the characters are two-dimensional, the plot development obvious in the extreme. Anyone who's surprised by anything here must never have seen another movie or read a novel. I was particularly offended that we're told in advance of his entrance "not to be put off by the physical appearance" of character James Percy. So who walks in but Thomas Gibson, looking like a dark-haired Adonis. This is Hollywood TV at it's shallowest. Another reviewer said the movie is far better than the book. It must be truly ghastly.

Unforgettable, for those of us who are in love with love itself.

[GrayAreaDVM · 10/10 · 27 November 2006]

I saw this first in 1997 on the Kraft something-something (CBS). The very first part looked so refreshing that I threw in a tape and have absolutely been gone on it ever since. I had read about the newly discovered manuscript and book publication at an earlier time. I bought several copies of the book and gave them out as gifts to friends and relatives. Everyone who has watched it with me has loved it. My brother, in from Knoxville once, and after watching the usual popular movies at that time, was, up to that point fairly unimpressed. I decided to put it in. He watched and even though he had not even commented on any of the others, he looked at me after the end credits then lights on, and said, "That was a good one." You have to know my understated Economics Professor-of-a brother to know how funny that comment was and how it pleased me. The filmed presentation and its screenplay are more flowing, integrated and related to a self-contained start-to-finish story than is the actual book. The scene where Edith is with her ailing uncle, her innocence, her lack of guile or ability to deceive, contrive or lie, is unbelievably attractive in character and essence. Edith is so transparently good and kind and always helping others without taking credit this story is about the rewards of that goodness and that sweetness. There are hints from the beginning that are noticed after the fact, about where the relationships lie and why certain people do what they do and act the way they do. How could the entire story be so simple and yet enchanting enough to cause me to think of it all the time. When Edith first meets Percy by the horse, spilling her apples and yet touching his scratched face with her handkerchief I loved the way the directors let us know the magic was on. When Percy comes in the house for the first time and meets her Edith cannot hide her bright-eyed, innocent crush and that she has met him already. Her facial expressions are uniquely well done as she hides behind the curtain. You can see that she is jealous already, even though she knows he is not there for her nor could there be a crossing of social barriers, yet he was hers, she thought. How many movies are there where one kiss, just one kiss is so dramatic? With all the thrills, spills and chills in modern movies, needed to even keep an audience awake, is this not a gem for those of us who are just plain in love with love?

Alcott wrote the story when she was 17, and you can tell.

[sarajevo-2 · 3/10 · 14 January 2001]

The heroine, way too good to be true, is an orphan taken in by a rich but liberal man, well played by Tom Conti, as a 'companion' for his daughter. A relative, way too evil to be true, comes to visit, and they vie for the family favor and the attentions of the eligible bachelors. Slow moving and trite, a complete fairy tale, but decently acted, with a plot worthy of a teenager, even though the teenager was Lousisa May Alcott.

Laughter and tears

[saralynnNG · 9 October 2004]

My roommates and I watched this movie after a long, stressful day, and we laughed and cried. Henry Hamilton steals the show with tasteful humor and well-timed wit. As a Louisa May Alcott story, yes, it's a chick flick and sappy, but even men will love Henry's humor, in addition to a fast-paced horse race and several heated arguments. The music is descriptive; when you first meet "the bad guy," the music takes a foreboding turn. Some lines are cheesy, and Ida will drive you crazy, but all in all, it's a fun, romantic, and enjoyable film the whole family can enjoy, free of nudity and violence and almost entirely void of offensive language. Watch it! (And if you like Henry Hamilton, you'll love the 1985 movie "Saving Grace," in which he stars as the Pope.)

An elegant adaptation of the wonderful LMA book

[mysticelena · 10/10 · 31 July 2000]

I had read the book "The Inheritance" by Louisa May Alcott a few months before the movie came out. I was absolutely in love with the book and was pleased hear about the movie. I counted down the days and finally got a chance to watch it. Its a wonderful adaptation of the book. Louisa M. Alcott wrote this story when she was only 17 years old and never attempted to publish it. I'm so happy that it was found and that the movie was made...... Cari Shayne is amazing as Edith Adelon and Thomas Gibson is the perfect person to play Lord James Percy. If you like period films, like I do, you will love this movie. And if your favorite book is Little Women then you must read and watch the Inheritance (book/movie)......

Miss Edith Adelon of Evenswood

[lavatch · 9/10 · 30 July 2017]

Who says that there has never been a class system in America? Miss Edith Adelon is a poor orphan who was adopted by Henry Otis Hamilton, a wealthy American landowner in New England. Hamilton took pity on the foundling child at the time of the death of his brother in Italy. Years later, a personal drama plays out on the Evenswood estate at a time when Edith is forced to make life-changing decisions as a young adult. In the process, she faces hostility because of the low standing of her birth that makes her an outsider in the class-conscious world of nineteenth-century New England.

Based on the Louisa May Alcott novel, this made-for-television film beautifully captures the period of post-Civil War New England. The costumes and the photography of Evenswood are superb, and the performances (especially Cari Shayne as Edith) are uniformly excellent.

Above all, it is the overall feeling that is captured by the performers that makes "The Inheritance" an engrossing experience of charm and sentiment. Tom Conti is excellent as Henry Otis Hamilton, who recognizes the potential of the young orphan, entrusting Edith to ride in the Green Cup and to humiliate his stuffy neighbor, Arlliss Johnson, when she wins the race. Somehow, Edith's ability with horses appears to be in her blood. There is also a villain in the piece. But it is not a stereotypical melodramatic mustache-twirling blackmailer, but the catty Miss Ida Glenshaw, who will stop at nothing in order to ruin the life of Edith. The most outrageous moment is the theft of the family jewelry that is planted in the bedchamber of Edith by Miss Glenshaw.

The love interest in the story is Jane Austen-like in the evolving relationship of Edith and the dashing Mr. Percy, whose bleeding heart from an earlier romance is mended by the kindness of the orphan. It would not be an overstatement to suggest that upon their first meeting, when she pulls out her handkerchief to wipe blood from his cheek, love will conquer all. But that will depend on unlocking the mysterious past of the orphan in which a long lost letter is discovered to reveal the truth about her lineage.

One of the nice touches of the film was the use of captions alongside the characters prior to the closing credits. Miss Amy Hamilton, the bookish daughter, goes to college and becomes a suffragette. Miss Glenshaw makes a smooth transition into becoming a spinster and spending time in a correction facility. And, of course, all obstacles are removed for the "perfect" relationship of Mr. Percy and Miss Adelon.

Mary Sue Alert

[LukeCustomer2 · 3/10 · 26 March 2019]

This movie opens with the main character riding a horse around like an expert. But it doesn't stop there. There is nothing that the main character Edith can't do. She is loved by all, ALL. The family that she works for, the "staff", and she has two rich suitors (and one poor one). She plays the piano. When she is invited to the ball she outshines everyone. The only thing she suffers from is not being a member of the elite - she is only a paid companion. But even that is fixed by the end of the movie. Ida Glenshaw comes to visit with the family for a chance at two rich suitors and finds the entire family and her two suitors besotted by Edith. Well I might be angry too. Ida is rich and more beautiful than Edith but everyone treats her like the paid companion. But, even so, there is no reason for her motivation to be out to get Edith. There are two rich suitors. The main love interest is Thomas Gibson who is appropriately dreamy. But there is no reason for him to fall for Edith early on, he just looks at her and is in love. Big disappointment.

Nice adaptation of Louisa Alcott novel

[SimonJack · 8/10 · 4 June 2014]

"The Inheritance" is a fine CBS production of a lesser known novel by Louisa May Alcott. This New England setting has very good scenery and camera work for a TV movie. The cast all are very good. The Hamilton family, headed by Tom Conti as Henry and Meredith Baxter as Beatrice, are early contrarians to the rising blue bloods of the early landed class in Massachusetts.

Yet, the heroin, Cari Shayne playing Edith Adelon, is the focal point around whom the story develops. And, it's interesting to me that for all her kindness and goodness, our heroin is shown by the author to suffer from pride. It becomes apparent when, out of false humility Edith tries to burn the documents that identify her as a blood member of the Hamilton clan. Learning of her true identity from Henry on his deathbed, she then intends to conceal it from the rest of the family whom she will continue to live with to help after the death of the patriarch. This struck me as a sort of enforced martyrdom at not wanting to tout her credentials as landed gentry. Where, as heir of the family holdings she would be in more of a position to ensure the family's continued well- being and care.

Whether Alcott intended the character to be thus understood, I cannot say. But she was an intelligent and clever person, and an accomplished writer who grew up around and had close ties to such literary luminaries of the time as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and David Thoreau. Since she wrote many of her stories about the life and times in New England, one can imagine that she would intend such a trait for Edith, where she clearly shows varying personality aspects in Ida and other characters.

The film is interesting and very entertaining, and fit for the whole family. Though I wonder if the younger adult generation would appreciate it much – or even sit still for relaxed pace.

Romantic Novel on the small screen.

[lelie · 23 April 2004]

Actually, it is on DVD & video; http://www.familytv.com/title_ado.asp?SID9914834237&PID50. Men might not get excited about this film, but ladies will. It's easy to see why this one of Miss Alcot's books didn't make it to the screen earlier; it isn't in the league of Little Women, Little Men or An Old Fashoned Girl. Why Eight Cousens was skipped over, I don't know... too long? The ending isn't quite as predictable as I expected, but one could expect her eventual acceptance into the upper crust. It's more than just a 'love conquors all' movie; there's lots of social commentary and some real idea of how stratified western society used to be... or did it really change? All in all worth at least one watch.

Great for the Whole Family!

[KatiesKreations · 9/10 · 22 April 2005]

The reason I voted a 9 out of ten is that there is one scene where younger children would probably not be allowed to watch. Shouldn't be allowed that is because a man is trying to persecute Edith but of course the dashing young lover rescues her from the evil villain. Like all happily ever after movies go. But this one is a must see. I mean there are a lot of good fairy tell-ish movies out there but seriously this is one of the best. I have only seen this once and I still rave about how good it was. I have been waiting for it to come out on DVD and finally I got my wish! yea! I am definitely going to get this one to add to my romantic series! Believe me if you liked Little Women and Little Men then you will love this even more!!! <>< Great Movie, Very exciting, Tear Jerker,and of course Romance! Got to love it.

A wonderfully uplifting movie that promotes integrity.

[Anna Maria · 10/10 · 29 December 1999]

The Inheritance is one of the best movies my family and I have ever seen. I feel as though I've looked everywhere for a copy of the video in vain. We recorded it when CBS presented it as a Kraft Premier Movie in 1997. We've probably seen it 15 to 20 times since then. If anyone has any idea how I can buy this movie, please let me know!

Cari Shayne did a beautiful job of portraying Edith A Hamilton. I'm disappointed I haven't seen her in more movies!

I recommend this movie to everyone who appreciates a good, clean plot.

THE BEST TV MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN

[hrluchs · 10/10 · 2 April 2003]

INHERITANCE,The (1997) (TV) - Admirably rendered production : Acting FLAWLESS (all characters), Scenery/sets/photography SUPERB, background music PARTICULARLY HEART WRENCHING, story A TRUE CLASSIC - It remains one of the most emotional productions I have ever seen; one which may be experienced again and again, each time with the same freshness of the first viewing ! H R LUCHS

Well done adaptation of L.M. Alcott's first "novel"...

[caffeinatedangel · 18 January 2004]

This film was based off the recently un-earthed manuscript by Louisa May Alcott, written at the tender, romantic and idealistic age of seventeen. The story about an orphaned girl taken into a wealthy family as a ward. She accidentally stumbles into her legacy.

The film is well cast, and well acted. More interesting then the book itself is the fact that this is what Louisa May Alcott used in parts of "Little Women" as Jo's book.

out on DVD

[mellowhartyellow · 10/10 · 2 November 2005]

To those who've been waiting and looking for it, this movie is now out on DVD! I just got mine via Ebay (when in doubt, you'll probably find anything on Ebay). I watched this movie when I was a teenager and loved it. I've been looking for this movie for a while so I'm glad it's FINALLY out! If you would like the ebayer who has this (and she's got several of them) her user name is nancyandedr. I also didn't know that this movie won an Emmy (awsome!). Can't wait to see this and someday show my daughter. I"m also going to show it to my mother - in - law who has never seen the movie. She likes the old fashioned romantic stories that Allcot is famous for. If you know of some other place that this movie can be found, please let me know.

A beautiful period romance!

[bethanymcdonnell · 9/10 · 27 August 2018]

The characters are sweet and believable, acting is good, sets and costumes are beautiful, love the music. It was not predictable for me the first time I watched it, although I have watched with others that said it was. All around a great movie for period romance fans!

Smooth and elegant.

[alicesmith67 · 10/10 · 23 November 2020]

I really enjoy period dramas but they can often be quite 'bitty'. However, the inheritance provided a smooth journey through the story. Thomas Gibson acted with gentlemanly elegance throughout. It flowed with ease and was pleasing to watch. To me, the story highlighted the importance of love over material. This was good particularly with how people valued class over others back then. It was so good that I could watch it again.