When Philip falls ill, he and we wonder whether Rachel, who insists on his drinking her exotic herb concoctions, is determined to be rid of him by foul means. They spend a night together, and Philip assumes that this indicates her willingness to be “his” in marriage. To make a relatively long story short, Philip, who has almost no experience of women, falls head over heels in love with Rachel, and ends up signing over the entire estate to her, which, in any case, ought rightfully to have been hers. Contrary to Philip’s ignorant preconceptions, she is solicitous and generous, apparently not the slightest bit mercenary or “promiscuous.” Rachel (Rachel Weisz) eventually turns up at the Ashley estate. The only extant will leaves all of Ambrose’s property to Philip. Convinced that Rachel caused Ambrose’s death, Philip swears revenge. When Philip arrives, he finds that his beloved cousin has died and his widow has already left Florence.

Some months of honeymoon and happiness follow, but then Ambrose begins to complain about his health and his wife, finally appealing to Philip to “come quickly” to Italy. To Philip’s astonishment and dismay, Ambrose later announces his plans to marry Rachel.

In the new version, Michell dispenses rather quickly with certain plot details: Philip Ashley (Sam Claflin), an orphan, lives with his older cousin and guardian, Ambrose (also, briefly, played by Claflin), who, propelled by doctors’ concerns for his health, decides to spend some time in a warmer climate, Italy.īefore too long, Ambrose, who has remained in Florence longer than expected, explains in a letter that he has met a certain “cousin Rachel,” a half-English, half-Italian widow of an impoverished count.

The novel and films are set in some undefined portion of the first half of the 19th century, on the coast of southwestern England. The first, directed by Henry Koster and released in 1952, featured Richard Burton (in his initial US film) and Olivia de Havilland (who will celebrate her 101st birthday on July 1!). My Cousin Rachel, directed by Roger Michell, is the second film version of Daphne du Maurier’s 1951 novel. Written and directed by Roger Michell, based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier.

My cousin rachel book review