The Oval Portrait

• 1973
• 1 Hr 26 Mins
• Horror

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 soldiers searching the neighbourhood for the fugitive. When the Major returns to active duty, Joseph emerges from hiding and paints the portrait of Rebecca, with whom he has fallen in love. However, a clergyman procured by Mrs. Warren to marry the young couple instead betrays Joseph to the Union authorities. He is arrested and taken away. A pregnant Rebecca goes into labour just as her father returns: he locks her in a room and forbids Mrs. Warren to provide assistance, resulting in the death of Rebecca's child. The Major has a stroke and is committed to an asylum. A short time later, Joseph returns but Rebecca has just died, a result of her miscarriage. He digs up her corpse. [end flashback] Mrs. Warren reveals the Major's will left the mansion to her. Lisa is possessed by the spirit of Rebecca. She and her mother depart. Mrs. Warren catches Joseph making out with Rebecca's dessicated corpse. Admitting she is Joseph's mother, Mrs. Warren shoots her insane son. In death, Rebecca and Joseph's spirits are reunited.