On my mission of watching all of Hitchcock's films chronologically, this is the first real masterpiece I've laid my eyes on. It is truly magnificent!
Joan Fontaine is a real beauty.
As unfashionable as it is to say, I think this is my favourite Hitchcock. Breathtakingly paced, perfectly acted, luminously shot and with a glorious score, it's the screenplay and the twists that keep this moving and make this so effective.
Yet another excellent Hitchcock movie. It has great plot twists, strong acting (especially Joan Fontaine), it's beautifully shot and the movie has a great mysterious atmosphere.
Now, I've watched it for the second time and my opinion and feelings have changed in some aspects. From the first time I already enjoyed it, I admired the acting and cinematography, but the end wasn't very impactful in comparison to the long exposition and the built that preceded it.
This second time I enjoyed it more, Joan Fontaine's acting couldn't be better and she was the reason I watched it again. I enjoyed the building of the plot more than before and also the end felt more satisfying. Although
I would leave the burning scene out.
The movie already feels somewhat long and I didn't care that much for
Mrs. Danvers. I think both twists (knowing that Max killed Rebecca and then discovering that she wanted that to happen) previous to the burning scene were enough for the climax of the film.
Still, after these two times I don't love it, but I respect it more, definitely a well done film.
I know Rebecca is highly regarded, but to me, it's strident melodrama, as per the Du Maurier novel. Hitchcock nevertheless brings a certain Gothic flavor to it that reminds one of Jane Eyre, albeit with the mad woman in the attic a "ghost" that psychologically haunts the various characters. When events finally take a thrillery route, the master of suspense creates sense tense moments, but they're largely smothered by exposition. Joan Fontaine plays a young, guileless woman who falls for a rich aristocrat ( Laurence Olivier) whose wife, Rebecca, is dead. But a whirlwind romance on vacation isn't the same as being married to the melancholy, mercurial man, nor living in his household filled with servants who have their own agendas. Fontaine has to navigate all sorts of social dangers while competing with the dead woman, the nature of which isn't exactly what we thought. But by the time the twists and turns arrive, it's a bit late for me. I respect the craft, but the source material just isn't my cup of tea.
“In many of the films now being made, there is very little cinema: they are mostly what I call 'photographs of people talking.'' - Alfred Hitchcock.
I guess Selznick made him do it? The photographs in this case are moody and nicely lit and some of the talking is amusing but the second half especially is a ride straight to melodramatic snoozeville.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 32
BareLolk
On my mission of watching all of Hitchcock's films chronologically, this is the first real masterpiece I've laid my eyes on. It is truly magnificent!Joan Fontaine is a real beauty.
dirte_lawndre
Wow, didn't expect this film to be so brilliant and unpredictable.TalkingElvish
As unfashionable as it is to say, I think this is my favourite Hitchcock. Breathtakingly paced, perfectly acted, luminously shot and with a glorious score, it's the screenplay and the twists that keep this moving and make this so effective.Hippiemans
This is a really great movie! It's a bit slow at first but you get captivated by story. A must see for Hitchcock fans!eumer
The Story is very good and sometimes it feels like a horror :DReally enjoyed it!
Forrester
Yet another excellent Hitchcock movie. It has great plot twists, strong acting (especially Joan Fontaine), it's beautifully shot and the movie has a great mysterious atmosphere.akuma587
Can't say enough good things about this film. A masterpiece.Shidan
Now, I've watched it for the second time and my opinion and feelings have changed in some aspects. From the first time I already enjoyed it, I admired the acting and cinematography, but the end wasn't very impactful in comparison to the long exposition and the built that preceded it.This second time I enjoyed it more, Joan Fontaine's acting couldn't be better and she was the reason I watched it again. I enjoyed the building of the plot more than before and also the end felt more satisfying. Although
Still, after these two times I don't love it, but I respect it more, definitely a well done film.
Ophie
I didn't enjoy the movie as much as other Hitchcock movies, but I cannot deny its right a masterpiece either.Siskoid
I know Rebecca is highly regarded, but to me, it's strident melodrama, as per the Du Maurier novel. Hitchcock nevertheless brings a certain Gothic flavor to it that reminds one of Jane Eyre, albeit with the mad woman in the attic a "ghost" that psychologically haunts the various characters. When events finally take a thrillery route, the master of suspense creates sense tense moments, but they're largely smothered by exposition. Joan Fontaine plays a young, guileless woman who falls for a rich aristocrat ( Laurence Olivier) whose wife, Rebecca, is dead. But a whirlwind romance on vacation isn't the same as being married to the melancholy, mercurial man, nor living in his household filled with servants who have their own agendas. Fontaine has to navigate all sorts of social dangers while competing with the dead woman, the nature of which isn't exactly what we thought. But by the time the twists and turns arrive, it's a bit late for me. I respect the craft, but the source material just isn't my cup of tea.Pike
“In many of the films now being made, there is very little cinema: they are mostly what I call 'photographs of people talking.'' - Alfred Hitchcock.I guess Selznick made him do it? The photographs in this case are moody and nicely lit and some of the talking is amusing but the second half especially is a ride straight to melodramatic snoozeville.
Carota
grand!criscoJovan
Oof! That was some ending!And Joan Fontaine was beautiful. Oddly reminded me of Setsuko Hara at times. Could've just been the hair and outfit.
krisflushednemo
I was initially very bored with the movie at first and thought it was very soapy, but the twists really got me and I changed my tune.Nostra
Initially I was underwhelmed, but when the twists start coming I was captivated. Amazing movie.Showing items 1 – 15 of 32