Watching Hitchcock's Rebecca...

oh you have so missed the very essence of this incredible film!! If I were asked which my favourite film was I would instantly say 'Rebecca' - but it must be the 1940 black and white Hitchcock version. Usually when I watch a film of a book that I have enjoyed I am left disappointed, but I felt that this film stuck very much to the original book and captured the dark, gothic theme well. The film was of course, adapted from the book - Rebecca -by Daphne du Maurier, and was the first American film project for Alfred Hitchcock. The producer was David O. Selznick, who had previously produced the classic Gone with the Wind. This is the only Hitchcock film that won an Academy award (for cinematography and Best Picture) Joan Fontaine was chosen to co-star with Laurence Olivier. Among the other candidates to play Fontaine's role were Loretta Young, Olivia de Havilland (Fontaine's real-life sister) and even Vivien Leigh. I think that the casting of Joan Fontaine (who was 22 years old) was excellent, I know that her acting in this role did take a lot of criticism, but having read the book I think that she put across precisely the weakness and naivety that the role of the shy second wife required. She was the narrator of the film and her character - as in the original book - remained unnamed throughout. The combination of Selznick and Hitchcock led to the success of this film - Selznick's understanding of drama and romance combined with Hitchcock's use of suspense, mystery, and black comedy cumulated in a pure classic. It is a known fact that Hitchcock would have liked to have added some ironic twists to the story but Selznick wanted to remain true to the original book. This he did - well as much as the American film censors would allow. The one major change to the film from the novel is difficult to give without giving away too much of the story. I will not add it here just in case there is anyone who doesn't know - but should you wish to know - just leave me a comment and I will message it to you! Another change was that, in the book Du Maurier (who herself had lesbian relationships) made implications that Rebecca and Mrs. Danvers had an amorous relationship but the censors said that this was NOT to be implied - this WAS 1940!!

lOl...I liked the plot to this film but I agree, Joan Fontaine's character was pathetically wimpy. Still, you have to consider the age. Women back then were supposed to be subservient to their husbands and it translated over to the victim mentality. What bugged me most about this film was Joan Fontaine's posture. I never considered her a good actress, either. By far my favorite Hitchcock was Notorious with Ingrid Bergman. Now THERE was some acting!

I have seen Hickcok movies before but not Rebacka. so I can't realy comemt on this disscusion.