Has emotional power in the jealousy theme but it hasn't been as forcefully interpreted by the leads as it could have been in more histrionically capable hands.
Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:16
Fresh:16
Rotten:0
Average Rating:8.3/10
Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: This genuinely perverse and fascinating film noir, filmed in incredibly rich Technicolor, is the tale of a woman's obsessive desire to possess her husband, exclusive of anyone else in the world. ... This genuinely perverse and fascinating film noir, filmed in incredibly rich Technicolor, is the tale of a woman's obsessive desire to possess her husband, exclusive of anyone else in the world. Ellen Berent and her husband, writer Richard Harland, move to his lodge in Maine. In order to be completely alone with him, Ellen makes the handyman go away and stands by as Richard's attention-grabbing, crippled brother drowns in the lake. Pregnant Ellen also purposely miscarries their child. When Ellen's sister Ruth visits, Ellen's paranoia and jealousy catapult her to confess to Richard that she was responsible for the "accidents." Sickened by Ellen's confession, Richard decides to leave her for good. Ellen's next plan of action is quite possibly the ultimate revenge ever carried out by a jilted, crazed lover. [More]
Starring: Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, Vincent Price
Starring: Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, Vincent Price, Mary Philips, Ray Colling, Darryl Hickman, Gene Lockhart
Director: John M. Stahl
Director: John M. Stahl
Producer: William A. Bacher
Screenwriter: Jo Swerling
Composer: Alfred Newman
Get This Movie
Reviews for Leave Her to Heaven
As for the brother’s death, with Ellen looking on coolly in white robe and shades, it remains one of the most perturbing in the history of Hollywood.
Mental illness never looked so seductive or bit with such a ferocious over-bite as from Gene Tierney's demented character.
A fevered yet clinical study of jealousy, Leave Her to Heaven is probably John M. Stahl's best-known film.
It may be absurd, and even risible, but its single-minded concentration has its own kind of fascination and power.
Notable for its exquisite Technicolor cinematography, used in direct contrast to the story's dark, noirish qualities.
A 'film noir in color' and a masterpiece of post-WWII American cinema.
Stahl's use of space and the performances in Leave Her to Heaven...suggest he was at least the equal of the much-exalted Sirk as an artist of melodrama.
Though the story is involving enough to make this film a classic, it is perhaps more rightly renowned for its Technicolor cinematography and original set and costume design.
Tierney's Ellen Berent [is] one of cinema's most chilling psychopaths.
Everything is beautiful in Leave Her to Heaven. In fact, too beautiful.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Leave Her to Heaven at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

MSN Movies offers a little background on the success of Disney Animation.

TIME takes a look back at the history of vampires on film.

Techland examines the visual splendor of Peter Jackson's upcoming film.

AOL put together a list of 10 recent news items that would be perfect as TV Movies.

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill explores how remakes and reboots have warped our thinking.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



