Review
Rebecca
- Director
- Alfred Hitchcock
- Year
- 1940
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- Gon C Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- Review date
- Saturday, September 15, 2001
Maxim de Winter, a rude, cold man full of mystery, is also a very rich nobleman, owner of Manderley, a gorgeous, gigantic estate. Life next to him isn’t easy, especially due to his sudden attacks of rage, but beneath all that lies a nice, loving man, which makes it easy for his new wife to get along with him. The real problems begin for her as they arrive to Manderley, a place that’s absolutely full of Rebecca, Maxim’s former wife. Rebecca is in the atmosphere all around. The impressive charisma, class and charm that she was full of makes it impossible for her servants to forget her. One of them, her personal maid Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), is even obsessed with her memory, and won’t let go.
The childish girl who married Maxim de Winter realizes it was a mistake to do so as she can’t fight the memory of Rebecca. Rebecca… Such a powerful woman, that she will stay there forever, and she’ll be stronger than anyone, even after death. Nobody cares about the new Mrs. de Winter; not even Maxim himself, who was absolutely in love with Rebecca and is incapable of getting over her and loving someone else… or is he?
Rebecca is the triumphant 1940 adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s stylish, classic gothic novel, a collaboration of producer David O. Selznick and director Alfred Hitchcock. This film is as much a Hitchcock as it is a Selznick. Their collaboration was more a fight of wills than anything else, but this one has the best of both (the majestic power of Selznick plus the disturbing mind games of Hitchcock), which makes it incredibly good. Probably the one thing that could’ve hurt this film badly is the slight change of the story (concerning Rebecca’s cause of death) towards the end, but the change works perfectly and doesn’t really hurt the essence of the story.
The power of the novel lies mostly in Rebecca’s presence being in fact so strong, which is achieved to perfection in the movie as well. Though we never get to see or hear the actual Rebecca, we are surrounded by her all the time, through the characters’ memories, Manderley’s items, Mrs. Danvers’ obsession and Mrs. de Winter’s fear. Rebecca is so strong and her replacement so weak, that we don’t even get to know the latter’s name, though she is the main character. All this is transferred intact from the novel to the film, but Hitchcock’s direction, George Barnes’s cinematography (probably the best of its kind) and Franz Waxman’s score sure help a lot. The delicacy of Joan Fontaine’s performance is contrasted by a strong Judith Anderson in what becomes a most maddening duo, whose shared scenes can even be qualified of sexually tense. Laurence Olivier is great as Maxim de Winter, the man whose bad temper and crazed memories don’t leave him alone. George Sanders is delightfully precise as Jack Favell, “Rebecca’s favourite cousin.”
A must-see, probably my Hitchcock favorite.
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Comments
Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
It's really hard to choose a Hitchcock as one's favorite. He has so many great films... The 39 Steps, The Lady Vanishes, Rebecca, Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho, many more come to my mind. Is he the greatest or what??? Morris wrote at 6/22/2002:
My favorite director of all-time without a doubt! My favorite Hitchcock movie? "North by Northwest"!!! Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
That's a bold statement, Moe!! You really can tell which is your favorite Hitchcock?? WOW. If I had to choose would I say "Rebecca"??? Probably. I think it would either be that one or "Vertigo" or "The Lady Vanishes". But no, I don't think I can tell. Let's not forget "Psycho"!! Yes, I think I would dare say that Hitchcock was the greatest director and still is, even after his death... Jacinda wrote at 6/22/2002:
Once again great review, Grouch. I couldn't have said it better. I especially liked the way you brought up the Selznick/Hitchcock conflict. The combination is indeed what makes this movie so outstanding. Hitchcock hated Selznick but at that time producers were more important than directors. I can't believe that a director like Hitchcock never won an Oscar. I think Selznick got the one for Best Picture for Rebecca, didn't he?Anyway, you raised a tough question. Did you know that my obsession for movies started with Hitchcock. When I first watched 'Rear Window' I had to see all of his other movies. Thus started my cineastic life.. It is hard to choose the best Hitchcocks but I'd go for 'North by Northwest', 'Vertigo' and 'Psycho'.
Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
Wow Jacinda, once again you managed to make me feel great about my work. Well, I put a lot of dedication to this review because the film deserves at least that, and the Selznick/Hitchcock subject is the essence of it all as you say.Yes, Selznick did take home an Oscar for Best Picture and Hitchcock never won a single one. Puts you to think, huh?
Thanks again and let's keep up with the Hitchcock fan club, all right?
Leave a comment
Morris wrote at 6/22/2002:
One of my favorite Hitchcocks, definitely one of his best!!! "Rebecca" is without any doubt a classic, a psychological thriller so good your mind won't believe it. I love everything about it. As a matter of fact, there's not much to say, since Groucho's wonderful review expresses my feelings towards the movie to perfection. Amazing!