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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
Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson. Drama, mystery and romance mingle in typical Hitchcockian form when a naive young woman marries a rich widower and settles in his gigantic mansion, only to find the memory of the first wife has quite a grip on the servants...and her husband! 1940/b&w/130 min/NR/fullscreen.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
171 of 182 people found the following review helpful
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.
93 of 103 people found the following review helpful
By Kona
VINE™ VOICE
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.
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.
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
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. There is another version by criterion with lots of goodies if you are interested in that though.
Which ever version you choose-- Enjoy "Rebecca" and the splendor of Manderly--Laurie
also recommended:
Hitchcock's Notebooks: An Authorized and Illustrated Look Inside the C
The Woman of the Port
Alfred Hitchcock Double Feature Volume One - Sabotage / The Man Who Knew Too Much
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. There is another version by criterion with lots of goodies if you are interested in that though.
Which ever version you choose-- Enjoy "Rebecca" and the splendor of Manderly--Laurie
also recommended:
Hitchcock's Notebooks: An Authorized and Illustrated Look Inside the C
The Woman of the Port
Alfred Hitchcock Double Feature Volume One - Sabotage / The Man Who Knew Too Much
Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 7 hours 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 13 days 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 17 days 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 18 days 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 19 days 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 20 days ago by julie layman
5.0 out of 5 stars
ANOTHER GREAT CLASSIC FILM!!
If you have never seen this movies it should be put on the top of your list! It's a great old classic with many twists and turns to the story. I love this movie. Read more
Published 22 days ago by S. Tyrrell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Classic
I was so pleased with the quality of the Blu-ray version of this movie! I enjoyed the movie on VHS 20 years ago but was captivated by it on DVD!
Published 27 days ago by Michelle Rice
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hard to find!
Rebecca was high quality, very pleased for such an old movie! A great movie for Saturday movie night! Pass the popcorn please.
Published 28 days ago by marymiller
5.0 out of 5 stars
You thought I loved Rebecca?
No director could have been more perfect to direct "Rebecca" than Alfred Hitchcock.
After all, Daphne du Maurier's classic tale of romantic suspense is a complex... Read more
After all, Daphne du Maurier's classic tale of romantic suspense is a complex... Read more
Published 28 days ago by E. A Solinas
