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Wuthering Heights [1939]
![Wuthering Heights [1939]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51C53CCH3ZL._SL160_.jpg)
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A terrific gem!
Review date: 2008-08-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
One of the most famous love stories brought to the silver screen - and certainly the best and original version of this classic tale.
'Wuthering Heights' features a host of big stars including the great Dame Flora Robson, Sir Laurence Olivier, Geraldine Fitzgerald, David Niven and Merle Oberon.
Despite the focus of love and heartbreak being centred around Heacthcliff and Cathy, one cannot help but feel the sheer heartbreak and suffering that is endured by the character 'Isabella' - wonderfully played without too much sentiment by Geraldine Fitzgerald. This is a woman whose life is unwittingly caught up between two people who love and hate at the same time, and as a consequence, she herself is used and abused and utterly destroyed, yet this goes almost unnoticed being drowned in the sentiment of the 'other' love story. Geraldine Fitzgerald steals the movie with her outstanding scene as she pleads for Heathcliff to look into her eyes to find the love he ignores, and the suffering he's inflicted upon an innocent pawn in his game for revenge upon Cathy...
They certainly don't make films like this anymore - and probably couldn't if they tried...
A terrific gem!
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Reviews
A dark romantic triumph
Review date: 2008-01-31 Rating: 10 out of 10
The 1939 version of Wuthering Heights may be a Sam Goldwyn picture but here at least he has the taste not to bury it under his usual excessive (over)production values and let the mostly British cast get on with it under William Wyler's inspired direction, with screenwriters Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur saving their reverence for the characters and spirit of Emily Bronte's novel rather than the set dressing and place-setting details which obsess modern costume pictures.
The film grips from its atmospheric opening to its tragic and genuinely moving conclusion and while it may end at chapter 17 it never soft-peddles the characters - neither good nor bad, they all choose their own personal Hells and have to live with the consequences. Even if you're no admirer of Laurence Olivier, you will be astonished at how his mixture of ruthlessness and emotional vulnerability makes the part his own forever. Merle Oberon's mercurial Cathy, torn between Olivier's force of nature and David Niven's pillar of society, may not match his power but it's still probably her best work while Geraldine Fitzgerald is a revelation as the woman Heathcliff marries for revenge, her unrequited love compellingly transformed to bitter desperation.
Gregg Toland's photography is black and white at its best and Alfred Newman's score is perfection. A genuine all-time great - and then some.
The Region 2 PAL DVD has no extras but does have a fine transfer.
I Cried..Not once ,But Twice......
Review date: 2008-01-01 Rating: 10 out of 10
Well you must have heard and read just about everything that could be said in words, and its all true Brilliant from start to finish.Great classic story and timeless.
This film can only be compared with GONE WITH THE WIND...L...One of the most amazing actresses to date and the sweetest smile...I have seen this twice and Twice i cried.....beat that...
Do not hesitate to buy this film. Enjoy
Read the book instead
Review date: 2007-08-19 Rating: 2 out of 10
Save your money and read the book, Emily Brontes masterpiece has not managed to travel over to film, the hatred & melancholy of Bronte is missing it lacks the depth of the novel in so many ways, this early British attempt to recreate Wuthering Heights has failed miserably, although it is the best of all attempts so far, I think we need to wait until the French or the German film makers attempt it with some real passion, before we say the novel is just too powerful for the film industry. - check out the Thomas Hardy DVD's instead, now theres money well spent !
Is it the book?
Review date: 2007-08-10 Rating: 4 out of 10
When I saw the movie, I had not read the book and I seemed to like it for what it was.. And then I read the book and realised that movie hardly does justice to the novel.. the dark shades of Heathcliff, to name one, which is a definitive aspect of the book, was completely lost in the movie, which is a shame. I give it 2 stars as it is a good movie as long as you haven't read the book!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Donald Crisp
Laurence Olivier
Flora Robson
Merle Oberon
David Niven
Creators:
Merle Oberon (Primary Contributor)
Laurence Olivier (Primary Contributor)
Gregg Toland (Cinematographer)
Daniel Mandell (Editor)
Samuel Goldwyn (Producer)
Ben Hecht (Writer)
Charles MacArthur (Writer)
Emily Brontë (Writer)
John Huston (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5050070021431
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2004-07-05
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1939-04-13
Language: English (Original Language)