All This And Heaven Too confirms Bette Davis as an actress with incredible range, and give us a reprieve from the fire breathing dragons we are used to seeing her play. A classic of unrequited love, based on the best-selling Rachel Field novel set in 19th-century France. The story was based on a once-notorious European scandal.

It begins with Henriette Deluzy Deportes (Davis), a French schoolteacher beginning a new position in a 19th century American seminary. After her identity is discovered by one of her students, she is humiliated on her students on her first day at the school. Her supervisor, minister Jeffrey Lynn, has questions to ask about her tainted past, Davis relates her story in flashback. She had been hired by French Duke Charles Boyer to be the governess for his children.





Boyer's wife (Barbara O'Neil) was insanely jealous, so much so she inadvertently pushed Boyer and Davis closer. Boyer's children became very attached to their new governess, with Davis having some wonderful moments on screen with the juvenile actors. Meanwhile, O'Neil's caracter becomes more and more suspicious, ranting and raving at every turn. Although they obviously have feelings for each other, they never cross the line into the sordid affair that the Duke's wife is sure they are having. Davis was willing to leave rather than cause more discord, but Boyer convinces her to stay.





The situation eventually becomes so inflamed that Davis has no choice but to abandon her post, after O'Neil gets her powerful father involved. A deal is struck that will allow the governess to seek other employment though a letter of recommendation from the Duchesse. But, the influential O'Neil renegs on the deal, and vengefully refuses to write the letter. Later, the impoverished Davis is arrested as an accomplice in the murder of Boyer's wife.





The Duke's position in French society stirred up volatile political ramifications, with Davis innocently in the center of the storm. Boyer commits suicide, exonerating Davis on his deathbed, but she had already been condemned in the court of public opinion. Disgraced, she left for America to start life anew, which brings us back to the present. Unable to continue running away from herself, Davis confesses her past indiscretions to her students, who promptly forgive her.

"...and if you looked closely enough, the whole rest of the world seemed to be...obliterated and shut out."

Litvak somehow managed to extract an uncharacteristically subdued and restrained performance from Davis. Oscar nominee Barbara O'Neil (best remembered as Scarlett O'Hara's mother in GWTW) almost steals the picture in a histrionic portrayal of Boyer's possessive, neurotic wife. She apparently tried to out-Davis, Davis herself, knowing that she would have no choice but to play it subtle, to remain true to Henriette's character. The fine notable cast includes the children played by Virginia Weidler, June Lockhart (Lost In Space fame), and the adorable Richard Nichols as the sickly Reynald.





A made to order role for Charles Boyer, who's voice alone is worth the price of admission. The lush and grandiose sets aptly convey the opulence of the period. Casey Robinson had the daunting task of adapting Rachel Field's cumbersome novel, and he succeeded in making it very palatable for the viewer. The performances in All This and Heaven Too are enhanced immeasurably by the lush Max Steiner musical score. Everything here is first class.