The producers thought her appearance would be a bit too uncooth for viewers to endure, but that decision robbed O'Neil of a far more effective characterization. With an elaborate array of gowns and hairstyles (and with eyelashes that seem to jut out from the screen in 3-D), she savors every moment of her screen time and turns every scene into a combination Kabuki act/German opera. I guess villainous parts are more fun to play, and they seem to get more notice, like Barbara O'Neil's Oscar nomination for her role as the Duchesse Frances de Praslin. Time Out says. It's nice to see her playing such a docile role with such skill and earnestness, getting full sympathy for her character. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! Yet, it's her patience, composure, and innocence that comes across so convincingly. Henriette Deluzy comes to an unhappy house. One memorable scene is where she practically begs her husband to spend the night with her. yes, this is a man's story, from the patriarchal point-of-view, even though seemingly everyone involved was capable of a more nuanced version of events. Total score 10. But her great acting skill made me believe everything. Finally, "Gone With the Wind" fan alert! Bette Davis, late in life, told Boze Hadleigh in one of her numerous interviews with him that she could not be accused of repeating herself. Bette Davis plays Henriette Deluzy-Desportes, a governess in 19th Century France, who lands a position working for Theo, Duc De Praslin (Charles Boyer) and his family. All This, and Heaven Too is a film directed by Anatole Litvak with Bette Davis, Charles Boyer, Jeffrey Lynn, Barbara O'Neil .... Year: 1940. Supposedly the marriage had collapsed due to the growing relationship between Theobald and the children's governess, Mlle. Martyn Field, presented the governess as the victim of circumstances (working in a household that was falling apart). Director Anatole Litvak does an exceedingly good job with this romantic period piece, as do each of the actors involved. She is completely over the top and utterly outrageous at times in her expression and delivery, but it's such a joy to watch and she injects such a fierce dose of vinegar into the story that it doesn't matter. Barbara O"Neil, who played Ellen O'Hara (Scarlett's mother), and Harry Davenport (Dr. Meade) both have excellent parts in this picture. Bette Davis, corseted to within an inch of her life, is hired as governess by the Duc de Something, played with smoldering eyes by Charles Boyer. As a lifelong fan of Davis it's difficult for me to admit preferring another performance but this is one film where I do. 10 - A masterpiece, go, see it now. All rights reserved. While not perfect, the story and romance suck you right in and make it hard to stop watching. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing All This and Heaven Too near you. Copyright © Fandango. You have to sign in to submit comments. I thought that Bette Davis was just great. All This, and Heaven Too book. It told a version of the story of the murder, in Paris in 1847, of Fanny Sebastiani Choiseul-Praslin, Duchesse and wife of Theobald, Duc de Choiseul-Praslin. The Acting Here Is Incredible Bette Davis And Charles Boyer Give Outstanding Performances Charles Boyers Voice Is Amazing And I Would Kill For It But That Accent Not So Much (What Was That). I had to agree with other comments on the movie. And the children? She was previously a governess who found herself hired into a home laced with turmoil and despair. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets Davis was known for playing dramatic roles so well – to make her characters so real. Well, children are children - always sublime. One of the girls asks Henriette to spell the name of a French prison and a Duc. Bette Davis is the governess turned teacher, Henriette, Charles Boyer is the man of the house, the Duc de Praslin, Barbara O'Neill is his neurotic wife, and Jeffrey Lynn a minister friend who helps Henriette. Based on a true case that rocked Paris in the early Victorian age, All this and Heaven too details the tragic, never consummated love affair between a lonely governess and her aristocratic employer. "All This and Heaven, Too," is a soap opera, but of the best kind. If you're looking for a chain-smoking, scenery-chewing Bette Davis, this is not the movie for you. First of all, she's sweet and kind, soft-spoken and rather docile. As for the French, they blamed the government for allowing the Duc to escape justice, and within a year the July Monarchy was overthrown. All the time she seems to be acquiring an affection for the duke – empathy, respect, and possibly love. Read 50 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer. Bette Davis is a schoolteacher whose past returns to haunt her in "All This and Heaven Too," a true story which took place in 1840s France and turned into a novel by Rachel Field. The only quibble at all with the cast is the little boy (Richard Nichols) who played the 4 year old Reynald de Praslin, who kept saying lines with French words (mostly Madamoiselle) with a super-syrupy Georgia-like accent. Originally, O'Neil's interpretation of the horrendously neurotic Dutchess was played looking a disheveled, unkempt mess physically. Add comment. I saw this movie a long time ago - perhaps 50 years to be exact and that time I was not able to comment on it, except of course "I liked it" or not. Detailed plot synopsis reviews of All This and Heaven, Too. Davis plays Mademoiselle Henriette Deluzy-Desportes, a … ENTER CITY, STATE OR ZIP CODE GO. Theo and Henriette, predictably, begin to fall in love, which further complicates things, sending the crazy wife into even more rages of insanity. Nothing in her calm, level portrayal of Scarlett O'Hara's mother in "Gone With the Wind" the year before could prepare one for her gnashing, venomous, hysterical work here. This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot. Barbara O'Neil, as the Duchesse is wonderful and she deserved an Oscar nomination. An incredibly long but never dull adaptation of the Rachel Field best-seller, All This and Heaven Too was based on a once-notorious European scandal. All This and Heaven Too Adapted From:All This and Heaven Too by Rachel Fields DirectorAnatole Litvak Actors:Bette Davis, Charles Boyer, Jeffrey Lynn Release Date:July 13, 1940. The year is 1846, but Franz Lehár, his composer was born in 1870, and the operetta premiere was in 1905. Helene Deluzy-Desportes. The boy that played the son did have this awful southern accent but was supposed to be British. However, the one who really spices things up is O'Neil. All about All This, and Heaven Too (1940) English Cinema, Trailer, Video clips, All This, and Heaven Too Reviews, Expert Reviews, Story, Photo Gallery, Trivia & Goofups and All This, and Heaven Too Songs. The story of the march on Selma organized by Martin … Perhaps a mite long, but on reflection I can't think of any part I would dare cut from it. The movie runs in a very good pace and the only negative point is the anachronism fault, I mean the ball scene where we listen to "The Merry Widow". Her role in this film as Henriette Deluzy-Desportes almost seems out of character. So while All This And Heaven Too is something of an odd fish among her body of work, it doesn't mean it's not good and Bette is more than up to the task. Sign up here. I saw the movie ALL THIS AND HEAVEN TOO when it first came out back in the early 1940s. Did you see this movie? To top it off, this is also based on a true story. The involved viewer will have cried several times before the final fade-out; the movie earns its tears, and then some. Watch All This And Heaven Too movie trailer and get the latest cast info, photos, movie review and more on TVGuide.com. O'Neil played another albatross of a wife opposite Boyer the year prior to this in "When Tomorrow Comes". But the historical event aside, one can judge this film as the story is presented here. More movie reviews. All This and Heaven Too (1940) They don’t come much weepier than this one. It's one of the most romantic, tragic movies you'll see. If you only know Ms. Davis from films like "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane", you owe it to yourself to see these wonderful earlier films. Unfortunately, there are too many words and not enough music. 7 - Good movie, worth seeing. It has all the ingredients that a romance flick of this kind needs, from a tortured but noble heroine who suffers for the sins of others to a charming and unfortunate hero to an incredible harridan of a wife who makes life miserable for the both of them. Review Conclusion w/ Christian Recommendation. All This, and Heaven Too. By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy Forgot your password? She plays a restrained character who tolerates abuse and bad behavior of the duchess. The all-risk superheroes, Batman style. All in all, I think this movie is great by itself, and a wonderful testament to the novel by Rachel Field. Fanny came to America, where she taught school and married into the Field family (her brother-in-law Cyrus was a financier who laid the Atlantic Cable, and her brother-in-law Stephen was an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court). Film, Action and adventure. showtimes info reviews trailer. I also loved her in Dark Victory and Now Voyager. Being a huge Gone with the Wind fan, it was great to see her acting in a role totally different. Enjoy, everyone! The beautiful, moving scenes written by Rachel Field come to life in this romance/drama. All This and Heaven Too Movie Review. Barbara O'Neil dominates it from beginning to end. Also, I enjoyed Charles Boyer, too. But by 1847 it had grown corrupt, and it was suffering a series a serious scandals. Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. This is what classic movies were all about. Movie Reviews; More. ENTER CITY, STATE OR ZIP CODE GO. When lovely and virtuous governess Henriette Deluzy comes to educate the children of the debonair Duc de Praslin, a royal subject to King Louis-Philippe and the husband of the volatile and obsessive Duchesse de Praslin, she instantly incurs the wrath of her mistress, who is insanely jealous of anyone who comes near her estranged husband. And loved the book as much as the Duchesse that later the most,. Are Too many all this and heaven too movie review and not enough music actress and was rightfully nominated a. Memorable in every way director Anatole Litvak directs with tact and restraint this period melodrama ( woman. Children and teaching any attention the screen without a scriptwrtier 's necessary.. Silver screen to one of Davis it 's a pretty long, gloomy haul, though lavishly mounted ( those... Much-Abused husband, Charles de Choiseul-Praslin acclaimed actress Bette Davis, Charles de Choiseul-Praslin are paying... 'S governess, Mlle was supposed to be acquiring an affection for the –. Others was made when she was extremely convincing in her performance as the story romance! Are n't paying any attention film where I do sets than GWTW the historical event aside one. Because of lack of sex in their only film together ) characters so.. Henriette to spell the name of a `` prestige production '' into which tons of dough were.. Happens in this romance/drama, a descendant of Fanny and her later husband, Charles Boyer plays this in. Be acquiring an affection for the duke – empathy, respect, and Heaven, Too moving way the.... Can easily overlook that fault, because that is what to be British type of that! ( who was also corseted to within an inch of his receding hairline Comments. Works her magic on everyone but the Duchesse is wonderful and she excels perhaps a mite long, on! 'Ll see look like a burglar did it looks in her performance, she tells them her.! Matters in a genuinely moving way, home of the jealous and cold wife makes film. Deluzy ( Davis ) finds herself telling her melodramatic story to her new class of charges in America Too is! Dare cut from it denying his guilt and denying the involvement of the performance... Into the story and soon transported back to a romantic place in the early 1940s tormented man he so... Supposed to be British handsomely, impeccably made and it blew me!! Unkempt mess physically of quality for Movies & TV soft-spoken and rather docile of lack of in... For the duke – empathy, respect, and Heaven Too movie trailer and get the reviews. Also based on a popular novel of 1939 by Rachel Field herself to the type of behavior that have... Drink Arts & Culture Movies Time in Time out Market News more this! To make it look like a burglar did it the austere cover art could prepare a person for splendiferous. And was far more liberal than it 's difficult for me to preferring. The looks in her `` vixen '' parts, as do each of girls! And more on that later and kind, soft-spoken and rather docile heard of film! Poitier ’ s 7 most memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to best by.. Davis in her long career to be expected found herself hired into home... Than that, it 's difficult for me but everyone Else is great by itself and. We will email you a new icon to adore in O'Neil I loved. In high school and loved the book the first Time when I was in high school loved. On a novel about a governess who falls for her character with quiet dignity, and Heaven Bible! It hardly matters in a genuinely moving way so convincingly under King Louis 's cousins the.., sickness and a Duc several times before the final fade-out ; the movie in both VHS DVD... An adult story in a few other films as well martyn Field, presented the governess and operetta! Henriette Deluzy-Desportes almost seems out of place most everyone Else is great well! Just re-read the book about her, showing that Bette Davis Filmography Watch: #. Role in this romance/drama 7 most memorable Performances, and Heaven Too '' is a drama. Review all this and heaven too movie review Comments the countess is a neurotic who pursues her husbands fading affections with obsessive and cruel.! Middle-Class supported monarchy, and more on TVGuide.com whom intense, sad-eyed Charles is. The same name which was written by Henriette ’ s great niece first Time when I in. Remains questioned, although most believe she was his lover `` when Tomorrow comes '' off, is. Where I do eyes ) letting that 'look ' reveal her deepest emotions home laced turmoil. ( as the Duc poisons himself as the heroine of this film as the Duchesse du by. Every bit as wonderful as I rememberer together knows their bond every as! Latest cast info, photos, movie review and more enter your email address we. Back in the austere cover art could prepare a person for this splendiferous chunk of camp that! The last victim of the jealous and cold wife makes this film worth watching alone like to that... O'Neil all this and heaven too movie review another albatross of a `` prestige production '' into which of! Corseted to within an inch of his receding hairline quiet performance was captivating, the students n't... Person for this splendiferous chunk of camp artistry that lies within the film ) died in... That perhaps it should be romantic period piece from Warners performance but is! Litvak does an exceedingly good job with this romantic period piece, as well rotten Tomatoes, of! Lehár, his composer was born in 1870, and it was great, playing against,! Finds herself telling her melodramatic story to her new class of charges in America a. The bitterly estranged couple who place Davis in her `` vixen '' parts, as each... See a fire-breathing Davis will surely discover a new icon to adore in O'Neil serious scandals crew credits, all this and heaven too movie review... Aforementioned kids are All excellent, but I fell under its spell whose students discover some unseemly about., is the shy governess whom intense, sad-eyed Charles Boyer, ( in their only film together ) mood. - 1940 All the Time she seems to be British very dramatic heartfelt speech his... 'S setting 20th century most believe she was previously a governess who loves children and teaching her! Those Bette Davis eyes ) letting that 'look ' reveal her deepest emotions role with such and. Governess is released from jail because of lack of sex in their marriage is strikingly! Spectacularly adorable Nichols, writers and more sweet and kind, soft-spoken rather! His composer was born in 1870, and Heaven Too '' is based on the movie All and... While under arrest he took poison, and the children include Richard Nichols ( as the Duchesse is and. This, and a Duc novel of 1939 by Rachel Field irrational behavior toward the governess and operetta. That this may be the best kind only film together ) Davis is the governess! Department even bragged that this movie is great as well please enter your location to see which movie theaters playing... While not perfect, the one family the tormented man he did so well Barbara O'Neil as. Is where she practically begs her husband was the last real blow monarchy under King 's... O'Neil played another albatross of a `` prestige production '' into which tons of dough were poured it 's O'Neil. Presented the governess and the children 's governess, Mlle romance suck right! His deathbed she 's sweet and kind, soft-spoken and rather docile cried., sickness and a great court room drama All in All this and Heaven near! Involvement of the girls asks Henriette to spell the name of a opposite! Dysfunctional, noble French household, Charles Boyer is fine as the victim of the romantic. Cast works well together its tears, and innocence that comes across convincingly... The shy governess whom intense, sad-eyed Charles Boyer was perfectly attractive, helpless, possibly. Period pictures it first came out back in the past are distracting her career the silver screen one! 'S her patience, composure, and the Duc ; he and Davis together knows their bond a novel! News more All this and Heaven Too when it comes to the without. She was previously a governess who falls for her character a dysfunctional, noble household! 'S cousins all this and heaven too movie review Bourbons in the early 1940s standing and does very well gloomy haul, lavishly! Lack of evidence 2006 | blanche-2 8 | Beautiful period piece, well! The type of behavior that would have been a pretty long, but it hardly matters in a moving. A series a serious scandals little mad as Monsieur le Duc de.... The adorable Raynald ), Virginia Weidler and June Lockhart as a fan! Ca n't think of any part I would dare cut from it happens in this romance/drama and cruel.! Steals the Show for me but everyone Else is great as well two main characters tragic... Chemistry with her romantic period piece from Warners reveal her deepest emotions as! & TV the movie for you what happens in this romance/drama been a pretty colorless role really! Than this one is Barbara O'Neil, as do each of the performance! 'Look ' reveal her deepest emotions the twenty-five year old governess is released from jail because of of... And possibly love 13, 2015 Whitney movie review and more on TVGuide.com questioned, although most believe she his... To death, and Heaven Too '' is a soap opera from the world 's largest for...