It is painful when you have to review a film for what it IS, without influencing your opinons with how great the author is, how decent the costuming was, or how attractive the actors were in their roles.

It is a shame.... that the film was low budget, and was not able to live up to the potential that I could forsee this story having.
The music hit me first off, verrrry cheesy/low budget, and was often times distracting.
The acting was theatrical and forced on the part of almost EVERY actor, with the exception of the Hero & Heroine (they were fabulous).
I continue to say that it is a shame, because a lovely family story is within, as well as Cinderella-like romance and mystery. The costumes were exquisite, as well as the scenery - but in comparison to other great period films, like "Little Women", "Pride & Predjudice", "Sense & Senisbility"..... this film won't stack up - it makes the adorable, but "B" movie list.

It is still a decent watch if one can cast aside the "film critic" mentality. Sadly, the film is what it is - and it is a disappointment that "The Inheritance" was not picked up by a better financed production company.

Well, I bought this movie from the recommendation of others. As I live in Australia, I can't get it here so rely very much on the excellent ratings of everybody else at Amazon. Well, girls you haven't let me down. I love period movies, and this one didn't disappoint. I fell in love with the whole Hamilton family. The girl who played Edith was so convincing and showed an natural inner beauty that you couldn't help but fall in love with her. I can see why Ida was so jeolous of her. I won't go into the details of the movie as others have already told you the plot, but just to say thanks for your reviews. I have watched it twice now and my sister and I have cried over it, our faces looking so red and the guys just laughed. What is that makes us love such a good story like this?? Not sure, but keep them coming. :-)

If you love period movies, you will love this story. The fact that it is an american movie and not a british one takes nothing away from the effect it will have on your heartstrings. The story is a underlying romance that has a "Cinderella" theme. A story of one individual's unselfish actions for those she loves. The house is amazing and as big as it is, you can feel the love of those who live there. You will also despise the one individual that trys to destroy the life of another. It is a consumate example of the saying, "what goes around comes around." The actors were superbly chosen for the roles they play.

I really like this movie. It was nice to see how love and respect can work in a family to overcome trails that come up. How the love for an orphan child could unite the family to defend each other. To honor a will that had been put away and forgotten by error was really refreshing. This family was a family I would be proud to call mine.

"Stay away from a world you will never be a part of," is the advice given to young Edith Adelon (Shayne) an impoverished orphan who was taken in by a wealthy family to be their daughter's companion. When tragic James Percy (Gibson) falls for her, she's convinced by society that she has nothing to offer him.

But her benefactor Henry Hamilton (Conti) has a plan to upstage them. He's going to break tradition big time and enter Edith in the annual horse race, The Greens Cup, riding astride, no less.

This is a fascinating peek at Victorian times and a society women fought hard to overcome, both in terms of class stigma and propriety. The author of the original story, Louisa May Alcott, was one of the stronger proponents of women's rights in her time. Indeed, she had to write part of her stories under a male pseudonym in order to get published. This is a beautifully done story and well worth the price of the disk. You will want to watch this film more than once.

Rebecca Kyle, September 2008