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Rebecca (The Criterion Collection) (1940)

Laurence Olivier , Joan Fontaine , Alfred Hitchcock  |  NR |  DVD
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (333 customer reviews)


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Product Details

  • Actors: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, Judith Anderson
  • Directors: Alfred Hitchcock
  • Format: Black & White, NTSC
  • Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
  • Subtitles: English
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Rated: NR (Not Rated)
  • Studio: Criterion
  • DVD Release Date: November 20, 2001
  • Run Time: 130 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (333 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005QAPL
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,213 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "Rebecca (The Criterion Collection)" on IMDb

Special Features

  • Isolated music and effects track
  • New digital film and sound restoration
  • Rare screen, hair, makeup, and costume tests including Vivien Leigh, Anne Baxter, Loretta Young, Margaret Sullavan, and Joan Fontaine
  • Footage from the 1940 Annual Academy Awards ceremony, at which Rebecca won Best Picture and Best Cinematography Oscars
  • Hundreds of behind-the-scenes photos chronicling the film's production from location scouting, set photos, and wardrobe continuity to ads, posters, lobby cards, and promotional memorabilia
  • Illustrated essay on Daphne du Maurier, author of the book on which Rebecca is based
  • Hitchcock on Rebecca: excerpts from the director's conversations with filmmaker Francois Truffaut
  • Phone interviews with star Joan Fontaine and Dame Judith Anderson from 1986
  • Hitchcock's casting notes
  • Reissue trailer
  • Production correspondance and casting notes
  • 1939 test screening questionnaire
  • Complete broadcast of the 1938 Campbell Playhouse radio adaptation, starring Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre players, including an interview with Daphne du Maurier
  • 1941 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast starring Ronald Colman & Ida Lupino, including and an interview with David O. Selznick
  • 1950 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast starring Laurence Olivier & Vivian Leigh
  • Liner notes by Robin Wood, author of the groundbreaking book Hitchcock's Film and Hitchcock's Film Revisited in a 22-page booklet

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Rebecca is an ageless, timeless adult movie about a woman who marries a widower but fears she lives in the shadow of her predecessor. This was Hitchcock's first American feature, and it garnered the Best Picture statue at the 1941 Academy Awards. In today's films, most twists and surprises are ridiculous or just gratuitous, so it's sobering to look back on this film where every revelation not only shocks, but makes organic sense with the story line. Laurence Olivier is dashing and weak, fierce and cowed. Joan Fontaine is strong yet submissive, defiant yet accommodating. There isn't a false moment or misstep, but the film must have killed the employment outlook of any women named Danvers for about 20 years. Brilliant stuff. --Keith Simanton

Product Description

"Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again." Rebecca’s haunting opening line conjures the entirety of Hitchcock’s romantic, suspenseful, elegant film. A young woman (Joan Fontaine) believes her every dream has come true when her whirlwind romance with the dashing Maxim de Winter (Sir Laurence Olivier) culminates in marriage. But she soon realizes that Rebecca, the dead first Mrs. De Winter, haunts both the temperamental, brooding Maxim and the de Winter mansion, Manderley. In order for Maxim and the new Mrs. De Winter to have a future, Rebecca’s spell must be broken and the mystery of her violent death unraveled. The first collaboration between producer David O. Selznick and Hitchcock, Rebecca was adapted from Daphne du Maurier’s popular novel and won the 1940 Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Cinematography (Black and White).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
171 of 182 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars And de Winter Is ... July 14, 2000
Format:DVD
A sumptuous film version of Daphne du Maurier's Gothic suspense novel. Brilliant direction by Alfred Hitchcock (his first American-made feature), dazzling cinematography by Oscar-winner George Barnes, and splendid art direction by Lyle Wheeler underscore impeccable performances by the entire cast. Laurence Olivier is excellent as the enigmatic Maxim, whose brooding ambivalance masks a dark secret; Joan Fontaine hits all the right notes as the confused and insecure Second Mrs. de Winter; and Judith Anderson (made up very much like Gloria Holden in Universal's "Dracula's Daughter") is chillingly repellant as the malevolent housekeeper Mrs. Danvers. These three Oscar nominees are ably abetted by George Sanders playing Rebecca's cad of a cousin, and Florence Bates as the vitriolic social butterfly Edyth Van Hopper. In what must have been an incredibly close race, this film beat out 20th Century-Fox's landmark "The Grapes of Wrath" for the 1940 Best Picture Oscar.

The Anchor Bay DVD offers a fine video transfer of this classic mystery. The picture is sharp and clear with excellent contrast throughout, and the soundtrack is clean and crisp. Although the package doesn't mention it, the DVD does offer Chapter Search (always a welcome plus). There aren't any bonus materials like theatrical trailers, cast biographies, photo galleries, etc., but this is still a worthy edition of a genuine film classic.

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93 of 103 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars "I'm asking you to marry me, you little fool." August 20, 2004
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Joan Fontaine stars as a miserably shy and awkward lady's companion who meets the sophisticated and recently widowed Maxim de Winter in Monte Carlo. They seem an odd couple, yet after a few short weeks they marry and come home to his imposing English country estate, Manderley. The young bride is overwhelmed with her new, lavish lifestyle and is especially intimidated by the forbidding housekeeper who keeps her first mistress' memory and influence alive. Maxim reveals a terrible secret which forever alters the couple's life, and affects the very existence of Manderley.

This wonderfully atmospheric tale, complete with swirling fog and spooky organ music, will take you away to a world where little Cinderella really does marry the handsome prince and lives in the mysterious castle, but things have a nasty habit of going bump in the night. Joan Fontaine gives a breathtaking performance, convincing us she really is crippled with feelings of inadequacy, despite being a flawless beauty. Judith Anderson is the sneering, contemptuous housekeeper whose devotion to her former mistress turns to madness. Laurence Olivier makes a properly snobbish and mysterious Maxim and manages to be the hero despite a fatal flaw. The title character, Rebecca (the first Mrs. de Winter), is never seen but is a powerful force, as is the imposing house of Manderley. If you like gothic romances filled with 1940's elegance and lots of creepy atmosphere, you'll enjoy Rebecca.
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars HAUNTINGLY PERFECT October 5, 2002
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This review refers to the Anchor Bay DVD release of Rebecca.....

What do you get when you have a great work of literature by Daphne Du Maurier, combined with the cinematic skill of Director Alfred Hitchcock,combined with the extrordinary acting talents of Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders and Judith Anderson? You get pure perfection on film. Combined that with the technology to take a movie made 62 years ago and make a transfer to DVD that looks as if it was made yesterday, and you have 2hr and 10 minutes of movie heaven.
The story begins in the South of France where a young, introverted woman(Joan Fontaine) meets wealthy widowerMaxim de Winter(Olivier) His wife,Rebecca, had recently died in a drowning accident and often he seems to be pensive and far off. They fall in love, marry, and go back to his home, an estate called Manderly. She is overwhelmed by the palacial grandeur, the huge staff of servants but mainly by the very prim but chilling head housekeeper Mrs. Danvers(Judith Andersson). The first Mrs. De Winter still seems to have a presence in the household that Mrs. Danvers keeps alive.
To say anymore will be giving away too much of this hauntingly chilling love story/mystery.However I must talk about this DVD.
Although not the more expensive version with all the extras(don't look for any with this one) this one gave us a beautiful picture, and great sound. Everything was bright and clean I saw things I had never seen before, and I have watched this movie dozens of times. The sparkling of the sequins on a woman,s gown,
the way the sun shone and the rain fell. This is a great transfer of a great film(Academy Award best Picture 1940). I personally didn't need all the extras for this one, I just enjoyed the film.
... Read more ›
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic film of a classic book: you must see it. October 2, 2004
Format:DVD
Rebecca achieves greatness. Nothing is off in this film. You'll never forget Judith Anderson's sinister portrayal of the obsessed housekeeper, or George Sanders' cold and cynical charm as "Rebecca's favorite cousin." As for Lawrence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, they will never be seriously challenged in any remake of this tantalizing and psychologically molten story. It is their film from start to finish, though one fine character actor after another comes and goes with perfect pitch and perfect proportion. The black and white photography has a porcelain gleam to which color could bring nothing. Like Bronte's great novel, Jane Eyre (in which Joan Fontaine also starred), Rebecca is a seminal tale following an old pattern that has been imitated ad infinitum. But nothing can detract from this pure and innocent effort. I first saw Rebecca when I was a little girl, taken by my mother to a small theatre in New Orleans famous for showing foreign films and artistic films, and what an enchantment it was this world of Maxim de Winter and his great house and the crashing sea -- and finely controlled voices with English accents speaking so carefully but with such feeling. I've seen the film a dozen times since, and it has lost none of its silvery luster. There are times when I don't want to do anything except make a cup of hot chocolate and go in and watch Rebecca. Highly recommended. Add it to your collection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.."
This is one of the most famous first
lines of 20-th century's popular culture.
The opening line of Daphne du Maurier's
greatest bestseller, the opening line... Read more
Published 5 days ago by elisheva guggenheim
4.0 out of 5 stars Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca - DVD (1940) Laurence Olivier, Joan...
The picture quality is good and you can't beat a classic. It is a great way to enjoy old films.
Published 11 days ago by pokey
5.0 out of 5 stars Rebecca...the movie
It would be best to read the novel before seeing this movie. This is one of the classic page turners. You will never forget Mrs. Danvers. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Cat in the Hat
5.0 out of 5 stars Hitchcock's first American film
I do not buy many DVDs so the ones I DO buy tend to be five star rated. This movie follows closely the book by Daphne Du Maurier. Read more
Published 24 days ago by William Stephany
5.0 out of 5 stars Great adaptation of the book
I read this book many, many years ago and there is still a nice copy on my book shelf. I remember seeing this movie when it first came out and was very disturbed by it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JJ
5.0 out of 5 stars One of many favorites
This movie is one if Hitchcock's best! I know it by heart and find new things to see in it with every viewing. My favorite scene is in Rebecca's lavish bedroom. Read more
Published 1 month ago by jepresser
5.0 out of 5 stars Rebecca
Old Hitchcock Movie. I still like it. I do not I can add any more to this thriller. I just wanted it for my movie library.
Published 1 month ago by Partha Bhadra
5.0 out of 5 stars Rebecca
I loved this book and the movie was just as good. Suspense & romance! Even in black and white is worth the watch.
Published 1 month ago by R. Conklin
5.0 out of 5 stars "Do you think the dead come back and watch the living?"
Rebecca is one of the very best films I've seen ever! No wonder it won the Oscar for Best Picture at the Academy Awards! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Matthew G. Sherwin
5.0 out of 5 stars Rebecca
Another awesome movie thank you I like Sir Lawerence Olivia also.Please recommend movies like this and Johnathan Rhys Myers.I have several of him.
Published 1 month ago by julie layman
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Having trouble getting new "Rebecca" DVD to play?
Leah,

Thank you for writing this. I was all set to purchase Rebecca until I read this. I'm not going to spend the insande price of $17.99 for a DVD that has a reputation for being warped like this. DVD technology needs to cost a lot less nowadays.
Apr 14, 2010 by Michael Zoran |  See all 2 posts
When are they going to re-release this title?
You could email Criterion (go to www.criterion.com, clink on 'contact us' link) and let them know you want them to re-release this title (as, for instance, Criterion have done with 'The Third Man'). Remember, though, that it is invariably a question of rights (either expiring or up for renewal)... Read more
May 13, 2008 by GODFREY H. |  See all 3 posts
No one But Hithcock!
See also the Masterpiece Theater version of it. I bet you will like it, too.
Mar 24, 2012 by Elvin Ortiz |  See all 2 posts
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