Customer Reviews

Rebecca [VHS]

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

While I will always like the Hitchcock film better, this adaptation is a great example of how a book should be turned into a movie. This will always be a classic love story between a young woman and an older mysterious widower that changes and matures with tragedy and the revelation of secrets. As with the originial film, this movie is suspenseful, romantic, and tragic. This faithful adapation from the book expands on issues that were skimmed over in the orginial movie but should have been filmed in black and white. In the new adaptation, the feelings between Maxim and the new Mrs. de Winter are underscored with some blatant scenes where they are still laying in bed and with more dubtle touches, such as holding hands when they walk or when Maxin touches Mrs. de W's face while in conversation. However, Lawrence Olivier somehow portrayed a more tragic and angry Maxim than is seen in this version.

When I first heard of this production on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre, I was thrilled with anticipation regarding how it would be played. Would it rival Hitchcock's masterpiece? Would it be marketed as a romantic escape?

Unfortunately, althought this version of Du Maurier's classic follows the book very closely and is over 2 hours longer than the original 1940s film, it just doesn't measure up to either Hitchcock or the book. Hitchcock downplays Du Maurier's portrayal of the strange relationship between men and women. Men are omnipotent---women, merely serve. Rebecca, too strong must go. Hitchcock plays up the Gothic touches with fog, music and a weakly played Max De Winter. The nameless heroine gathers strength as Rebecca is revealed to be intrinsically evil. But this is not Du Maurier's 'Rebecca'. In the book there is no win in the ending---the heroine simply remains a caretaker as she was in the beginning of the novel; her charge has changed from Mrs. Van Hopper to Maxim. The couple drifts like sad wanderers from place to place; as Du Maurier puts it, "There is no resurrection." In this adaptation and in Hitchcock, love seems to conquer all---an idea completely alien and misunderstood by most readers of Du Maurier.

First and foremost, the girl playing the narrator is not gauche or dependent enough--she has too much spunk and sparkle lurking behind the lank hair and the school girl dresses. Fontaine was ever so much more desperate to please as I think Du Maurier's heroine was meant to be. Du Maurier doesn't even give her a name. Dame Diana Rigg is an equally austere Mrs Danvers, but her portrayal is much too sad, not malicious enough and definitely suggests a [physical] attraction to her former mistress which seems mournful rather than simply obsessive like DuMaurier's character in the novel or Dame Anderson's character in Hitchcock's film. Charles Dance is not as taut nerved as Olivier, but he passes as an okay Max DeWinter with perhaps a third of Olivier's charm. Still, he comes off as weak as does Olivier in Hitchcock's version---neither fully portraying the strong silent brooding character of Maxim in the book. Lastly, giving Rebecca a voice and a body, is a mistake. Du Maurier's book is so compelling simply because we don't know anything about Rebecca and hence can envision whatever femme fatale we choose--the real Rebecca is a ghost; she remains a mystery to the very end--we don't know if she is really malevolent---we only have Maxim's word--or excuse for his own violent actions. We don't even understand her motives fully even after the production moves to the final scene at Manderley.

Nevertheless, if you simply love everything 'Rebecca', you will at least like this version, but, I guarantee it will provoke you to find a copy of the Hitchcock version at your local rental store or better yet a worn copy of the book at your library!

Like everybody else who has ever read the mistresswork Rebecca I find all the characters unforgettable, from the second Mrs. DeWinter to Rebecca herself. The haunting, elusive, enigmatic beatuy. Who was the real Rebecca, angel or devil?

I don't think we're meant to know.

Now to get on to a review of this version of Rebecca. It at least has the story taking place in the 1920's as anyone who has read the book knows is actually the time when it took place, and not the late 1930's, as the top-notch Hitchcock movie has it taking place.

Other than that it is not nearly as good as the movie. Diana Rigg is such a good actress and the way she played Mrs. Danvers had none of the truly scary and obsessive qualtity of Judith Anderson's performance. I'm surprised that she did such a poor job of playing Mrs. Danvers.

And the person who played Maxim wasn't very physically attractive. He was much less likable than Olivier in the part, grumpy and bad-tempered, rather than brooding and obsessed as Olivier played him.

And much of the story was changed. The only thing Hitchcock changed in the movie was the fact Maxim killed Rebecca on purpose, and the fact that the second Mrs. DeWinter went to London with Maxim.

In this version Maxim rescues Mrs. Danvers from Manderly as it is burning, there is no mention of anything like that. And then there's the meeting between Mrs. VanHopper, Maxim and the second Mrs. DeWinter that NEVER took place in the book.

Evey though Faye Dunaway is not one of my favorite actresses, I really like her portrayal of Mrs. VanHopper. She brings the sex-obsessed, frustrated, wealthy, unattractive middle-aged woman who has to hire male escorts side of Mrs. VanHopper that was only hinted at in the movie and book out in the open.

This movie doesn't have the haunting, scary, atmosphere of the book or the movie. And the most faithful adaption of Rebecca was one made for PBS years ago. I don't remember who played most of the parts, but Joanna David played the second Mrs. DeWinter and I think Eugenia Massay played Mrs. Danvers very much in the style of Judith Anderson.

What a shame that version was never released on video or DVD.

Since the Hitchcock version is out of print,I bought this version.It lacks the sinister atmosphere,suspense,and foreboding of the book and Hitchcock version.Lacking these qualities, the movie is plodding and rather boring. While Diana Rigg is intriguing as Mrs. Danvers, the portrayal of the characters of Maxim and the second Mrs. DeWinter are unsatisfying.The two have no chemistry, and I care about neither. Ultimately,I read the reviews to judge if I should purchase the movie.I will pass this version on to a friend but will not keep it in my library.Wish I would have rented it instead.

I watched this movie only after I read the book by Daphe Du Maurier several times at different ages. I am glad to say that it was very close to what I had imagined while I read the book. I certainly feel 3 hours are required for doing justice to the book. Though, it would have been much better had they spent more time showing how Maxim de Winter and the narrator fall in love in Monte Carlo. I feel that was too hurried and several details were left out. The last part where Max de Winter tries to save Danvers from the burning Manderley ought to have been avoided as it wasn't part of the story and only added melodrama.

The cast for this second version with Charles Dance, Emilia Fox and Diana Rigg couldn't have been better. The perfect English looking Charles Dance is the only one who could portray the reserved, austre and noble Max de Winter. I feel the difference in age between Max De Winter and the narrator was very accurately portrayed in the film. An older, more mature looking man was very vital for this role. Though the book says that Maxim was about twice the age of the young narrator, around 40, I always imagined Maxim to look older than that with all the fear and suffering he had undergone. Olivier certainly was not cut for this role in Hitchcock's version. I think Emilia Fox was also great with her lost, shy look.

I feel this version is probably the closest it can get to the book and the characters. The cast chosen was the best by far.

This movie can't be compared to the two past versions. The version with Laurence Olivier is superb as is the one with Jeremy Brett. Faye Dunaway is no Mrs. Hopper. The actress portraying the girl (Mrs. DeWinter)did not know the character at all. Unwatchable. I turned it off before it finished.

This film adaptation of the novel "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier superbly portrays the elegance and mystery of Maxim de Winter whose first wife died in a boating accident and the subsequent romance and marriage to his second wife. Their chance meeting on the coast of Monte Carlo in the 1920s leads to an unexpected May-December romance which surprises everyone who knows Max. He is considered a handsome wealthy aristocratic gentleman, set in his ways, not likely to engage in a whirlwind romance. Yet, Maxim fell in love with his second wife within a short period of time, amidst the surroundings of Monte Carlo among a circle of wealthy society friends. Amazingly, the viewer never learns the name of the second Mrs. de Winter who is played by Emilia Fox. The second Mrs. de Winter is a charming, quiet and well educated young lady in her early twenties who had a job as companion to Mrs. Van Hopper, a spoiled rich elderly woman who loves to engage in gossip and socialize with members of her social set. The drama and mystery of the novel unfolds after the couple returns to England to Manderley, the magnificent old mansion where the de Winters reside ...

The new Mrs. de Winter settles into her role as the mistress of Manderley. She gradually learns household routines and her duties as Maxim's wife and explores the great mansion and lovely natural surroundings, plus the nearby coast. A palpable tension exists between Maxim's second wife and Mrs. Danvers the head housekeeper. Mrs. Danvers took great pride in her special relationship with Rebecca, Maxim's first wife. She has not emotionally accepted Rebecca's death and behaves in a sinister, haunting manner. Diana Rigg does an outstanding performance in depicting the deep dark churning emotions within this character. The new Mrs. de Winter creates a picture of Rebecca in idealistic terms, as the beautiful and perfect wife for Maxim. She feels inadequate in measuring up to this unrealistic ideal image. When she attempts to share these feelings with Max, he reassures her but also dismisses her feelings as something which can be overcome with time and effort. It is as if the ghost of Rebecca hovers within Manderley and is haunting the second Mrs. de Winter.

When Rebecca's boat is discovered not far from the harbor along with her body on board, the novel becomes more complex and intense. Daphne du Maurier creates dense drama which gradually uncovers well kept secrets hidden within the ancient walls of Manderley. Social appearances were deceiving, it turns out Max and Rebecca were not the ideal couple they portrayed themselves to be. The mysterious drowning death of Rebecca holds many clues but the viewer needs to see this film or read the book to understand just how great a writer Daphne du Maurier really is. The manner in which the author gradually peels away the layers of the complex problems which affects the lives of this married couple is outstanding. She manages to hold the reader's attention throughout the book by playing upon reader's emotions regarding the mystery and intrigue of the relationship between Max and Rebecca. If their closely guarded secret was revealed, it could result in the ruin the marriage of the new Mrs. de Winter and her husband and create a huge scandal. This film adaptation of the book does a superb job in providing a colorful visual tapestry which ties together many mysteries revealed at the end of the book. The casting of roles was outstanding. I read the book many years ago and this film elegantly and dramatically reveals the deep hidden secrets of the past. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]

I loved this new updated version. Of course you can't beat Lawerence Olivier and Joan Fontaine but that is because it's Lawerence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. But still a great movie from great performers. Diana Riggs' performance blows the orignal Ms. Danvers out of the water. At least watch it once.

Very entertaining, Faye Dunaway is perfect as the overbearing Mrs. Van Hopper - but that is a very minor role. Charles Dance is good as Max de Winter, but Emilia Fox is not quite believable as Caroline de Winter (too "spoilt brat cute" and not shy enough for the role - still a lot more believable than Joan Fontaine in the 40's movie version, though). But though some lines were taken verbatim from the book, the film-makers for some reason decided to change some details, specially the ending (why have Max risk his life to save Mrs. Danvers who, in the book, had already left the mansion?) I must say here that my favorite adaptation of this Daphne Du Maurier classic is the one shown on PBS in the late 70's or early 80's, starring Jeremy Brett as Max de Winter and Joanna David as the best Caroline de Winter I have ever seen, maturing as she did along with the character. Also, that version was much more faithful to the book, including starting with the same line, "Last night I dreamt I was back in Manderley". I would be eternally grateful to anybody who could tell me where to get THAT video version. Barring that, I guess we can make do with this one.

I think it is interesting to read the other reviews here at Amazon.com. In my opinion, I agree with those reviewers who mention that this version of Rebecca is more believable. I can never make it through the first twenty minutes of the old movie because Maxim is a horrible character and so is his new wife. Maxim seemed much too harsh in the old version...and who could love someone like that? Also, the second Mrs. de Winter was too timid and not real at all in the old movie. She let Maxim run all over her.

Now, I know that this recent version of the movie does not follow the book as closely. However, as with all movies made from great books, we should look at this version of Rebecca in a completely new light. I love this version because Maxim is definitely a believable character and has more warmth and expression about him than the character in the older movie. Also, the second Mrs. de Winter had a personality about her in this movie. She was shy, but to a believable extent. She portrayed her character very well. And, yes, as another reviewer pointed out, you can actually understand why Maxim fell in love with her. I could never understand that in the old movie! There was no feeling between Maxim and his wife in that movie. Maybe that can be attributed to the evolution in relationships since the time that the old version of Rebecca was filmed.

So, in short, see this version of Rebecca! You will love it. The scenes are beautiful and the actors are wonderful...it is very well done!