Leave Her to Heaven

Writer Richard Harland (Cornel Wilde) meets the beautiful Ellen Berent (Gene Tierney) on a train journey, and they quickly fall in love. They marry, but behind Ellen's affection hides a rampant jealousy and an all-consuming need to have Richard to herself. Anyone who comes between them becomes a threat. John M. Stahl's 'Leave Her to Heaven' is one of the most fascinating color-noirs of the 1940s. The glowing Technicolor images cast a soft gloss over the warmly toned interiors and verdant natural landscapes, while the psychological manipulation and cynicism grow darker and darker. Gene Tierney is excellent in the role of Ellen, whose obsessive love slowly shows its most destructive sides.

Directed by John M. Stahl
Country/year: United States, 1945
Running time: 110 min.
Formato: DCP
Language: English Dialogue
Age limit: Allowed for children over 15
Original title: Leave Her to Heaven

Part of the series: When film noir got colors
What happens to the shadows of noir films when they are suddenly surrounded by expressive colors? When pastel colors do not soften the obscure crime tales, but, on the contrary, make them sharper and more hard-hitting? This film series revolves around a special moment in postwar American film history, when film noir broke out in color.