Return from the Ashes

Return from the Ashes is a 1965 British drama film directed by J. Lee Thompson. The film stars Ingrid Thulin, Herbert Lom, Maximilian Schell, and Samantha Eggar. It is based on a novel by French crime writer Hubert Monteilhet, adapted for film by prolific screenwriter Julius J. Epstein. The novel would also serve as the source material for the 2014 German film Phoenix, directed by Christian Petzold, though the latter film makes multiple changes to the books elements and concerns itself solely with the plot to reclaim an inheritance.

Sometime after the war, Michele returns under the identity of Mme. Robert and encounters her colleague, plastic surgeon Dr. Charles Bovard Lom, who at first does not recognize her because of her disfigured state. She undergoes plastic surgery to restore some of her looks and then by chance encounters Stan, who believes her to have died during the war. Surprised at the resemblance, Stan tells her that Micheles stepdaughter Fabi Eggar cannot inherit her stepmothers estate because no body was ever produced. He asks Mme. Robert to impersonate Michele and she agrees. Upon moving back into her own house, Michele quickly becomes aware that Fabi, now a beautiful woman, resents her for her former neglect, and what is worse, is now Stans lover. Eventually, Michele reveals herself and insists on resuming her relationship with her husband.While taking a bath after consuming alcohol and barbiturates, the jealous Fabi tells Stan her plan for killing her stepmother. Stan will go to another city on the pretext of attending a chess championship. He will set up a gun to go off when Michele opens her safe. After establishing his alibi, he will call her and tell her that he has put a gift for her in the safe. When he hears the shot, he will know she is dead, and he can return home to adjust the scene to make the death appear a suicide. ........

Source: Wikipedia