Rebecca

[Rosie]

I DVR'ed this classic this morning and watched it this evening.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0032976/

Stars Sir Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine (who I first thought was Ingrid Bergam for some reason).

This film was a love story/mystery/drama, directed by Alfred Hitchcock but not ""typical" Hitchcock.

Ms. Fontaine plays the second wife of Olivier's Maxim de Winter, a woman who feels she is living in the shadows of the first Mrs. de Winter who died tragically. The first Mrs. de Winter seems to have been the ideal wife, beautiful, intelligent, cultured, basically very hard to follow. We soon come to realize that everything is not what it seems. There is much more to this film but I fear my limitations in reviewing it will spoil the plot. It is very layered, engrossing and the actor's portrayal was of course exquisite. If you like a good character driven film and if you are a fan of Hitchcock, this is one to see.

 

[Harp]

Intrigued, will keep it in mind. Olivier and Hitch-what a classic
this must be.

 

[Tomasso]

Classic!

The housekeeper sends shivers up the spine. Olivier's wardrobe is outstanding, especially the country tweeds and flannels.

I read where Olivier lobbied for Vivien Leigh to get the part and when Fontaine was chosen he spent the whole shoot abusing her. Hitchcock encouraged his behavior as it served to make Fontaine timid and shy, just what the role required. Many of these classic movies have an interesting backstory.

 

[Cobden]

I must say, this is probably my favourite Hitchcock. The atmosphere of the film is fantastic, you can cut through it with a knife. Mrs Danvers is one of the best acted characters I can think of. My only beef is that I think Joan Fontaine is probably too attractive for the role...

 

[Lauren]

This is my favorite Hitchcock that I've seen- I absoultely adore the plot, the shots, the story, the script- everything. And Joan Fontaine is one of my style icons and her clothing in this movie is absolutey to die for.

 

[Caledonia]

I haven't watched this for decades, but will give it a shot having had the bump, and oh so coincidentally just picking up a 3/6d book copy from Oxfam! I remember being absolutely terrified by Mrs Danvers.