I’ve made up my mind, and I'm accountable only to myself! I refuse to live by pre-set rules like instructions on a medicine label. Dragonwyck comes from director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who is also responsible for the screenplay adaptation of Anya Seton’s novel. The cast includes Vincent Price, Gene Tierney, Walter Huston, Glenn Langan, Anne Revere, Jessica Tandy and Spring Byington. Alfred Newman composed the music, with Arthur C. Miller handling the cinematography. Miranda Wells (Tierney), a young woman from a Connecticut farm, is asked by her wealthy relative Nicholas Van Ryan (Price) to become the governess for his daughter at his Hudson Valley estate. What she initially believes will be an improvement in her circumstances turns out to involve dark mysteries connected to Nicholas and Dragonwyck Manor. This film brings together elements of Bluebeard and Rebecca within a well-organized Gothic suspense story. It possesses the expected unsettling feeling, the historical setting is quite effective, and Price delivers a truly disturbing portrayal of the troubled Van Ryan. Beyond the central plot concerning “mad love and dark secrets,” there are other noteworthy aspects, including reflections on religious belief and social class distinctions, with the system of land-owning patrons providing an intriguing historical context. The Production Code Administration’s influence means that more explicit story elements (like substance abuse and poisoning) are only suggested, but the meaning is clear and the movie isn't harmed by it. The film moves slowly at first; it takes time for the dramatic tension to build, and subtle suggestions of supernatural events imply what a stronger film this could have been. Nevertheless, I would suggest this to those who enjoy Gothic thrillers or are fans of Price and Tierney in particular. 7.5/10

Source on TMDB