Allan Anderson Movies

The Oval Portrait

38/100

In post-Civil War America, Lisa and her mother, Mrs. Buckinham, arrive at a large country house occupied by Mrs. Warren. They are there for the reading of the will of Mrs. Buckinham's brother, the Major, who recently died; others will also attend. Lisa is strangely affected by the oval portrait of a young woman that hangs over the mantle; she later encounters Joseph, who first berates her for driving "Rebecca" away, and later mistakes Lisa for Rebecca when the former dons one of Rebecca's gowns, found in a closet. Mrs. Warren relates the story of Rebecca and Joseph to Lisa (in flashback): During the Civil War, Rebecca lived in the mansion with her father, the Major, who keeps her shielded from the world: her mother ran off with another man, and the Major doesn't want Rebecca exposed to immoral ideas. Joseph Hudson, a Confederate officer, flees from a battle (stock footage) and, wounded, takes shelter in the mansion. Mrs. Warren and Rebecca conceal him from the Major (a Union officer) and from other Union sold