Rebecca (1997)

Wonderful Movie

Excellent but underrated film

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

Totally miscast - Emilia Fox is too confident, beautiful and elegant to play the plain, awkward, painfully shy second Mrs De Winter. Charles Dance is too old to play Max De Winter (he's supposed to be 15 - 20 years older then her, not 30) and he lacks any sense of darkness or anger. Even Manderley itself is dreadfully unimpressive. Only Diana Rigg, as Mrs Danvers comes anywhere near creating a character similar to the book.The directing is of the 'point and shoot' variety, with no subtleties.The one trick, with Mrs Danvers and the light, is lifted straight from Hitchcock.In fact the whole thing has no sense of mystery or doom or tragedy. There is no chemistry between the leads, despite the script showing them kissing passionately at a time in the book when he barely touches her. There's no romance between them, in fact their kisses seem awkward and forced, and a bit disgusting, given how much older than her he looks (not to mention his lack of sex appeal and passion) The script itself is terrible, deviating from the book, having her challenging him at a time when in the book, she can barely speak to him.If you love the book, like I do, don't bother with this. Watch the Hitchcock version, with its great acting, sense of tragedy and doom, deep romance and a script practically lifted from the book, instead.

THe 1997 BBC adaption of the renowned romance/suspense novel REBECCA was an interesting take on the novel. But not a very good one. The lighting and photography do nothing to set the suspense and sense of dread in Manderley that is supposed to be the lingering spirit of Rebecca, very unlike the book and 1940 movie. This miniseries focused more on the romance. However, I think that the "spirit of Rebecca" that is supposed to be almost "haunting" Manderley did not come across very well. They did show Rebecca in some flashbacks, which was unique but I thought sort of ruined the "Rebecca mystique". The acting was pretty much all excellent and solid but Charles Dance as Maxim was VERY different. I don't think his portrayal of Maxim was deep enough, it didn't show enough (for total lack of a better word) angst about what was happening. Diana Rigg as Mrs. Danvers was also different, but it worked, she was a great Mrs. Danvers. Emilia Fox as "I" was good too.If you liked the book Rebecca see the Hitchcock version also and compare the two. I find the Hichcock version superior, it is more faithful to book even thought a vital part of the book's plot is slightly distorted.

After reading the book I was interested in seeing the different versions of Rebecca. This version boasts a line of brilliant actors (although some of them were slightly oddley cast. Charles Dance is a brilliant actor but one is forced to wonder who on earth cast him as a romantic lead?)I was expecting a good film, but this movie was disappointing in every aspect.The characterisation was poor and the writing was dull. The original book was full of suspense and one felt so involved in the fate of the characters, but this film failed in both those respects. The film was not able to capture the warmth, romance or intrigue of other versions.

I have not yet seen this movie, but my sister and I are reading through Rebecca right now, and I'd like to explain to those who misunderstood: Mrs. De Winter had herself announced as Caroline De Winter because she was dressed as that lady (the lady in the painting)and acting that part. I mean, it's a costume ball. She intended this to make everyone think, "Who?" and look to see. Caroline is not her name; the point is that you never even know what her name is.I have seen the old version of this movie, and in my opinion and that of my sister, as we read the book, Laurence Olivier is absolutely the definitive Maxim De Winter in every way.