Uncle Silas

1947

1h 38m

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

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Drama

Horror

Mystery

Following her father's death, a teenage heiress moves in with her guardian uncle who is broke and schemes to murder his niece for her vast inheritance.

Directors

Charles Frank

Writers

Sheridan Le Fanu(novel by)

Ben Travers(screenplay by)

Stars

Jean Simmons

Katina Paxinou

Derrick De Marney

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Top cast

Jean Simmons

Caroline Ruthyn

Katina Paxinou

Madame de la Rougierre

Uncle Silas

Lord Richard Ilbury

Lady Monica Waring

Dr. Bryerly

Mrs. Rusk

Sepulchre Hawkes

Austin Ruthyn

Dudley Ruthyn

Giles

Branston

Sleigh

Mary Quince

Vicar

Rigg

Tom Hawkes

Grimstone

Directors

Charles Frank

Writers

Sheridan Le Fanu(novel by)

Ben Travers(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Now who doesn't like a well executed bit of Gothic mystery? Jean Simmons ("Caroline") inherits a great deal of money from her father, but until she becomes of age she must move into the ramshackle stately pile of her kindly uncle "Silas" (Derrick De Marney). Well, at least he sounded kindly - but once she is safely ensconced in his home, it soon becomes clear that he hasn't two brass farthings to rub together and so has his beady eyes on her fortune. The house also entertains his peculiar son "Austin" (Reginald Tate) and her conspiratorial governess - the nasty piece of work that is "Madama de la Rougierre" (Katina Paxinou). Aside from a slightly foppish De Marnay, this is a well cast drama with plenty of well photographed, darkly lit, scenarios to keep the mystery bubbling along - helped significantly by Simmons' wonderfully butter-wouldn't-melt characterisation of the initially gullible, but not entirely foolish "Caroline", particularly when contrasted with the juicily menacing governess. Rarely seen, but I can't think why - it has all the ingredients and although the ending is a shade on the disappointing side, is still at the top end of this light horror genre.

Geronimo196707 Jul, 2022