My Favourite Olivia de Havilland Movies...as told by Letterboxd Reviews

Happy 106th Birthday Olivia de Havilland!

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In honour of her birthday, here are my favourite Olivia de Havilland movies as told by Letterboxd reviews!

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

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“It's kind of embarrassing how much better this is than every other Robin Hood movie from the past 80 years.” — Patrick Willems

“Drinking game: take a shot whenever a character in this film throws their head back and laughs.” — Quinn

“This is certainly the best Robin Hood film ever made, even by today’s standards. Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland are absolutely incredible!” — Rich

More reviews here

Four's a Crowd (1938)

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“This is a perfect example of how the charisma, charm and energy of the lead players can make a messy comedy watchable and enjoyable.” — annewithe

“Olivia was adorable but that ending....oof. You’d think a love square happy ending would end up satisfying the audience but the wrong couples ended up together.” — Jillian Michelle

“Decent screwball comedy with a highly convoluted plot that doesn’t quite pick up its pace until the very end, yet is eminently watchable and enjoyable thanks to a breezy performance by Flynn. I wish the man did more comedies.” — William Coates

More reviews here

The Strawberry Blonde (1941)

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“The way Olivia de Havilland stole this film (and my heart) with a single wink.” — Angelica

“Olivia de Havilland is great too, but what else could you expect from de Havilland?” — Jaime Rebanal

“This movie has so much love at the core of it. Beautiful, unironic love. Biff and Amy just loved each other so, so much. I found their story to be so beautiful, touching, funny, and just completely right. Like these two characters were absolutely made for each other.” — Zoë

More reviews here

In This Our Life (1942)

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“Bette Davis radiates malevolence, Olivia de Havilland radiates benevolence, and the men in their lives duck or keel over as the shrapnel from these battles fly their way.” — DallasFrance

“This fantastically over the top melodrama captures the divergent genius of Olivia de Havilland and Bette Davis. I went into this movie wishing I could have the authority to demand what you want from life, like Bette Davis, but found myself as caught up with the quiet resolve of de Havilland. If only the two had more scenes, and that the movie had the power to unravel to its utmost gonzo potential. The limits of the production code are really felt in…” — Justine Smith

“I enjoyed this film, and it’s almost completely due to the great performances by Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland. Davis in particular plays the menacing Stanley in a way only she I think could—a lot of the lines would sound cheesy coming out of another actor, but she makes it work.” — Pippin

More reviews here 

Princess O'Rourke (1942)

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“The good old ‘secret princess’storyline.  It’s sweet and fun. Some things will feel outdated, but it’s all innocent and most of the film is silly. Olivia de Havilland was fantastic in this film.” — Rich

“You're right, Olivia de Havilland is a princess.” — Jackson

“An incredibly adorable and sweet film, Olivia de Havilland is wonderful playing the role of a princess and rightfully so. It was also really awesome seeing FDR's dog Fala play himself!” — Gladstone

More reviews here

Government Girl (1943)

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“I read that Olivia de Havilland was forced to play this role so in turn hammed it up way more than probably necessary. But while pretty ridiculous, she is easily the best part.” — Amanda

“Olivia the ham!! she is running around and crawling on the ground and is so so funny. The male lead is...bonkers?? he is somehow both incredibly dull and crazy. Like his characterization is all over the place. he is a milquetoast who keeps saying ‘I am wild!’” — emma

“I've read that Olivia de Havilland was forced into this role and hated doing it, and even tried to sabotage her own performance. Fortunately for us, her charm still shines through.” — Greg James

More reviews here

The Dark Mirror (1946)

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“Really helpful of them to make Olivia wear giant necklaces saying RUTH and TERRY so we could tell the twins apart. definitely not comical at all.” — eely

“The movie probably only deserves three stars, but Olivia de Havilland is so amazing in her role(s). She is absolutely captivating in this and I would recommend it for her performance alone!” — Pippin

“It's ridiculously over-the-top, but I haven't seen many noirs quite as breathlessly entertaining as The Dark Mirror.” — Tom Morton

More reviews here

The Well Groomed Bride (1946)

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“Damn I'm running out of Olivia de Havilland movies to watch.” — Angelica

“Likable routine rom-com. Ray Milland could do this bit in his sleep and getting a prominent actress like Olivia de Havilland made it more interesting. Don't go expecting a deep experience, this one is for the light fun.” — PUNQ

“Olivia, Milland, and some champagne. What else do you need?” — Myron

“If you even remotely like Olivia de Havilland and Ray Milland then this is a breezy good time.” — Charles Canzoneri

More reviews here 

The Snake Pit (1948)

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“Olivia de Havilland forcefully propels herself into the character of Virginia Stuart Cunningham, a woman slowly relinquishing her clasp on reality, with a great deal of self-confidence in this movie based on the 1946 semi-autobiographical novel by Mary Jane Ward.” — Paul Elliot

“Olivia de Havilland was a fighter. She was a warrior. She was a titan. Olivia was a pretty brawler and a force to be reckoned with. She was the very best. She was a fearless gladiator and The Snake Pit was her ultimate arena. What she did with the film was extraordinary, extra-solar, and exquisite. She was the most remarkable screen artist of her day and The Snake Pit roars with the brazen confidence of a lioness. Watching Olivia perform is something I don't think we really deserve. Olivia's work in The Snake Pit is almost too special. I don't think we've earned the right to it. When you see a performer take charge like this, it's breathtaking. When you watch a performer assume absolute control of a production, it's unreal. Olivia was a magical person. She was incomparable. She is legend.” — Mad Zack

“Olivia de Havilland was one of a kind. Tears were already in my eyes within the first twenty minutes. By the end of this great film, I sat there and just let myself cry a little. Rest In Peace, dearest angel. What beautiful talent and wonderful soul she had.” — olivia

More reviews here

Light in the Piazza (1962)

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“I cannot handle how incredibly beautiful Olivia de Havilland looks in this. She is just charming beyond belief. I'm so in love.” — Angelica

“MGM gloss. Extensive CinemaScope shooting in Florence and Rome. Olivia de Havilland sulking drolly in Dior couture. A remarkably complicated (and questionable) character study. What's not to love?” — Kevin Daly

“A rather sensitive often lovely film with an excellent performance by Olivia de Havilland - but, really, so very weird.” — Scott Kelly

More reviews here

Lady in a Cage (1964)

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“Olivia de Havilland reading a book and drinking tea as her elevator takes a literal decade to reach the second floor of her house is high comedy. the rest of this was...something else.” — eely

“I've never been so frightened and in distress for a female character in my life. Intense, violent and probably the most disturbing film from the 60s I have seen so far. Olivia de Havilland was absolutely fantastic of course, and so was the supporting cast, but this was not an easy watch.” — Angelica

“It's a great concept that's set up well. It has good technical qualities like its score, and it boasts strong performances from Olivia de Havilland and James Caan.” — MandelBroSet

More reviews here

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What are your favourite Olivia de Havilland movies? Let me know in the comments!