Rebecca (DVD)

Despite being a huge fan of Hitchcock the oscar winning Rebecca really isn't one of my favourite films. Based on the Du Maurier book of the same name and shot in black and white ( colour film wasn't widely used until the 60's, partly because of cost but primarily due to its associations with fantasy i.e in The Wizard of Oz - The 'real' world was black and white 'Oz' colour) Rebecca follows the bizarre tale of a nondescript unamed female ( played appropriately enough by Joan Fontaine ) who trades in her 'life' as paid companion to marry playboy with a past Maxim de Winter ( Laurence Olivier ). Being a Hitchcock film it goes ...  Read the complete review

Rebecca Based on the Daphne Du Maurier novel, this was Alfred Hitchcocks first big budget Hollywood film. Following a string of highly regarded films made in the UK, the Americans decided it was time to get this rising star of world cinema to America. The studio chose this film adaptation specifically as a highly melodramatic response to the hugely popular Gone with the Wind. This film is nothing like that one though as this is based much more on careful characterisations and atmosphere. Joan Fontaine plays the second wife of Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier), she also narrates the film, she meets the handsome, dashing Maxim on the ...  Read the complete review

Introduction Rebecca, based on the well-known book by Daphne du Maurier, was Alfred Hitchcock's first Hollywood film, although not his first film based on Daphne du Maurier's work, having had not much success with Jamaica Inn the year before. However, starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, this film was much more of a success and one the Best Picture Academy Award - although it was the producer, David Selznick, that won the award rather than Alfred Hitchcock. The film is very gothic in feeling, and has the usual tense atmosphere of a Hitchcock film, although it is not seen as a typical Hitchcock. The director Known as 'The Master of Suspense', ...  Read the complete review

My DVD video of the Hitchcock’s classical adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s celebrated novel REBECCA came free with the Times. The film directed by Hitchcock was named the Best Picture in the 1940s by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It was brought to use by ABC Motion Pictures Inc. The film is rated PG parental guidance fit for viewing by persons generally. Some of the scenes may be unsuitable for young children. ***THE STORY*** The story adapted by Philip MacDonald & Michael Hogan includes the cast of: Lawrence Olivier: George Fortescu Maximillian (Maxim de Winter). Joan Fontaine: The second Mis.de ...  Read the complete review

Classic British cinema. Superb film classic, an adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's 1938 novel. The famous opening line "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again" begins the film. Shot in 1940 and directed by Alfred Hitchcock the film stars Joan Fontaine and Lawrence Olivier. However, arguably the star of the show is Judith Anderson, superbly creepy as Mrs Danvers, the Rebecca obsessed housekeeper. Maxim De Winter brings home his timid new wife to his Gothic pile Manderley in Cornwall. Staff are frosty, especially the unnerving housekeeper Mrs Danvers. The spirit of Rebecca, Max's first wife, pervades the house. Mrs ...  Read the complete review