All this and Heaven Too is a movie from 1940 starring Bette Davis, Charles Boyer, Barbara O’Neil, and Jeffrey Lynn. It takes place in the years leading up to the second French Revolution of 1848. This situation and characters were real. The book of the same name was written by Rachel Field the grand-niece of Henriette Deluzy-Desportes. Field uses the real names of the Duc and Duchesse de Praslin, Henriette, her uncle, Henry Field, played by Jeffrey Lynn, and other historical characters. The basic story outline is this: “A duchess’s irrational behavior toward her children’s governess triggers tragic events that will change her family’s lives and the fate of the country forever.”
During this revolution, members of the aristocracy instituted laws that caused economic hardships and squelched free speech. It was in this state of political unrest that Henriette becomes governess to the children of the Duc and Duchess. The household is a troubled one because the Duchess displays irrational behavior toward her husband, played by Charles Boyer and later their new governess, played by Bette Davis. As time goes on, the Duchess, played to perfection by Barbara O’Neil, becomes so unreasonable that, it is implied, that the Duc murders her. To this day, however, the case has never been solved partly because the Duc, who is not subject to the civil law, is confined to his house by his fellow Peers where he finally commits suicide before giving any relevant testimony. At the same time, Henriette is arrested and jailed while awaiting a civil trial. This situation is one of the circumstances that cause the Revolution. Eventually the charges against Henriette are dismissed for lack of evidence. Henry Field, with supporters of Henriette help her immigrate to New York City where she becomes a teacher and eventually marries Field.
Bette Davis was famous for playing many different kinds of roles from unlikable murderesses to this one where she plays a quiet, restrained, but loving character. It was one of her favorite roles.
Celeste and I hope you will watch this movie and go to YouTube and make comments there or here. We’d love to know what you think of this movie based on real historical events.
Sage Woman Chronicles 