Rebecca
by Alfred Hitchcock
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Product details
Actor: Florence Bates, Judith Anderson, Leo G. Carroll, Leonard Carey, Nigel BruceDirector: Alfred Hitchcock
Brand: Key Video
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Black & White, Full Screen, NTSC
Running Time: 130 minutes
Release Date: 1998-09-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Anchor Bay
Studio: Anchor Bay
VHS Movie Reviews of Rebecca
Movie Review: "I'm Rebecca's favourite cousin..."
Summary: 5 Stars
Girl with no name fights to replace a name with no face in the heart of her handsome haunted husband. And suave George Sanders does his Shere Kahn best when intimidating Olivier with a chicken drumstick. Oscar for Best Picture 1940; Joan Fontaine stars, Daphne Du Mourier writes, Selznick produces, and Hitchcock directs. What else are you waiting for? Directions? Written orders?Movie Review: "I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE ALL COMPARING ME TO HER--TO REBECCA."
Summary: 5 Stars
THE MOVIE: The first time I saw Alfred Hitchcock's "Rebecca" (based on Daphne Du Maurier's celebrated novel of Gothic romance and psychological suspense) in the mid-1980's, I became obsessed with it; and perhaps that is fitting. 2008 marks the first time in decades that the film has been easily available on DVD (and at a very affordable price as well: Premiere Collection, MGM/UA DVD).
Joan Fontaine stars as our heroine, a shy, non-descript, but lovely young woman who is never referred to by name in the story. (For purposes of this review, I'll refer to her character as "Joan"; when discussing Joan Fontaine's performance in the film, I'll use "Fontaine). When we first meet Joan, she is a paid companion to an old, insufferable society snob named Edythe Van Hopper (Florence Bates). Joan meets and quickly marries dour, aristocratic widower Maxim DeWinter (Laurence Olivier). At first, I cheered because the whirlwind romance and marriage saved our heroine Joan from the horrid Van Hopper. But, it turns out, she is merely going from the frying pan into the fire (quite literally). The basic plot is Cinderella's "happily ever after" gone wrong, in grand Gothic style. Once at the imposing, chilly Manderley, Maxim's family estate, Joan is promptly intimidated by the spooky housekeeper Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), who was absolutely devoted to Maxim's first wife Rebecca, who died in a mysterious "drowning accident" one year ago. Joan finds herself almost completely eclipsed by the shadow of Rebecca. Memories of Rebecca are all over Manderley. Rebecca's initials are everywhere; on napkins, handkerchiefs, stationary, pillowcases, etc. Joan confides to the kindly financial manager of Manderley, "Whenever I meet anyone, I feel at such a disadvantage. I feel like they are all comparing me to her-- to Rebecca." One day, Joan wanders into Rebecca's old room in the West Wing, and has a particularly unsettling encounter with Mrs. Danvers. Although Anderson stated there was never discussion of any lesbian subtext in the story, it's impossible not to listen to Danvers' long speech about Rebecca's wardrobe, her underwear, her nightgown, her hair, etc. and not feel that Danvers had a strong lesbian attraction to Rebecca. "Do you believe the dead come back and watch the living?", Mrs. Danvers asks.
Mrs. Danvers hates our heroine Joan because she "tried to take her (Rebecca's) place".
After a masquarade party goes terribly wrong, Mrs. Danvers goes so far as to suggest (not subtly, mind you) that poor Joan commit suicide. Of course, more secrets about Rebecca and Manderley are revealed, but to reveal any more of the plot would spoil everything for first-time viewers.
Although our heroine without a name is shy and (quite understandably) intimidated by her circumstances and surroundings, there is great emotion in Fontaine's truly outstanding performance, and she quickly and easily earns audience compassion and empathy. Of the main cast, only Olivier marginally disappoints. He's stuck with not much of a role. Maxim is a very poor "Prince Charming". He's not around much in the beginning (otherwise our heroine Joan wouldn't be so frightened). Maxim is supposed to be enigmatic and moody, but the character doesn't really come to life until about 90 minutes into the movie, when Olivier gives a long speech about what really happened on the night of Rebecca's death. Next to Fontaine, spooky Anderson, and creepy cad George Saunders (as Rebecca's favorite "cousin" Jack Flavill), both Maxim and Olivier come across as rather dull here.
THE DVD: The 2008 Premiere Collection DVD edition contains several Extra Features:
* The Making Of "Rebecca": Details the uneven, but ultimately successful, partnership between methodical director Alfred Hitchcock and maniacal, control-freak producer David O. Selznick. (The "O" didn't stand for anything. David just added it for extra flourish). Although "Rebecca" was Hitchcock's first American film, he had already directed such British classics as "The Lady Vanishes" and "The 39 Steps." Hitchcock was definitely not a novice, and he resented Selznick's obsessive demands and interference. Fortunately, Selznick became obsessed elsewhere; with finishing "Gone With The Wind." That epic won the Best Picture Oscar for 1939. When "Rebecca" won the same honor in 1940, Selznick accepted the Oscar. Hitchcock did not win as Best Director. (He, inexplicably, NEVER did)! Therefore, he always referred to "Rebecca" as a "Selznick Picture." Trust me, "Rebecca" is also very much a "Hitchcock Picture."
*SCREEN TESTS & RADIO PLAYS": Margaret Sullivan (whose awful screen test for the film is included) stars with Orson Welles and Agnes Moorehead in a 1938 radio "Rebecca", which pre-dates the film by two years. The second "Lux Radio Theatre" version from 1941 stars Ida Lupino. Last, we have a radio version from 1950. starring Olivier and his then wife Vivien Leigh. Olivier was unhappy with Fontaine's casting in the film. He wanted Leigh as his co-star. Their joint 1939 screen test is included. Vivien Leigh (not quite finished playing fiery Scarlett O'Hara in "GWTW) shows more spark and life than Margaret Sullivan, but Hitchcock and Selznick definitely made the right casting choice with Fontaine.
*THE GOTHIC WORLD OF DAPHNE DU MAURIER: Explores the relationship between her private life and writing. Also included: Audio commentary by film critic Richard Schnikel, Isolated Music and Effects Track, Hitchcock audio interviews, Theatrical Trailer, and Photo Galleries.
Movie Review: Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca
Summary: 5 Stars
Alfred Hitchcock continually delivers to viewers a memorable experience whether you are viewing his movies for the first time or seeing them as if for the first time.
Rebecca is a moody mystery with plots and twists that keep you involved until the sobering end of the movie. Just when you thought you have figured out what keeps Maxim DeWinter out of reach to his lovely bride, the plot twists again. Joan Fontaine is supurb as the new Mrs. DeWinter, trying desperately to understand what keeps her new husband in constant turmoil, and herself trying to compete for his love and affection with the deceased first wife.
The English settings along with a masterful supporting cast makes this selection certainly one you will want to add to your collection of Hitchcock movies to own.
Simply stated Hitchcock delivers again, and again!
Movie Review: Product Details say that WHO stars in this?!!
Summary: 3 Stars
If anyone already owns this, please tell me if this is FOR SURE the Rebecca that stars Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier. The picture shows them, but the product details describe a bunch of actors I've never heard of and who are definitely NOT in the Hitchcock Rebecca that the picture shows. HELP!!Movie Review: Brilliantly realised Hitchcock masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the great films of all-time. Hitchcock's brilliant realisation of Du Maurier's gothic romance is unsurpassed. Olivier is perfect as the aloof Maxim De Winter and Joan Fontaine excellent as the nervous "Second" Mrs De Winter (we never actually learn her real name). This was the only Hitchcock film to win Best Picture though Hitchcock did not pick up Best Director (indeed he never did).
Summary of Rebecca
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 SimantonMystery Video
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