Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Original Release: 1940
Choice: My Wife's
My Overall Rating: 3 stars out of 5
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| via Wikipedia |
Alfred Hitchcock, certainly one of the most famous and influential filmmakers in the history of the industry, only directed one movie that won Best Picture at the Academy Awards: 1940's Rebecca. The film was also Hitch's first American project. Before this weekend, I had never seen it.
The protagonist (played by Joan Fontaine) is unnamed until she becomes the second Mrs. de Winter, marrying a glum yet charming aristocrat, Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier). The new Mrs. knows her husband is still mourning his dead first wife, Rebecca, but does not realize the extent to which she still haunts his existence until the newlyweds move back to his cavernous mansion. Meanwhile, Mrs. Danvers, the ghoulish housekeeper (Judith Anderson), does little to make the new lady of the house feel welcome.
The plot is engaging, though the twists are fairly tame by Hitchcock standards. The acting is solid, especially Judith Anderson. The cinematography is the highlight, George Barnes's Oscar-winning work incorporating the shadows and silhouettes that would become Hitch staples.
Multi-generational considerations:
- Our Girl enjoyed the story but was confused by all the talk about the first Mrs. de Winter. We had to stop the movie a couple of times to explain.
I really miss the old Google Reader. Feedly doesn't seem to update me to your posts!
ReplyDeleteOh...and 3 out of 5!?!! One of my all time favorite movies!
Why such a low score?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it . I just don't feel a strong need to watch it again. That's my criterion for a 4. I prefer other Hitchcock films.
DeleteI don't think I've seen Rebecca and actually, I'm thinking I haven't seen any Hitchcock films...once I got old enough to appreciate them, I had quit watching anything that might be a little scary, including any kind of suspense movie. Bummer. :(
ReplyDeleteWe've gotta work on this, Michelle. I'd say Rear Window is the best Hitchcock starter film.
DeleteTo butt in, Nan and I say "To Catch A Thief" is a good one to start with....or "Rebecca".
DeleteYou are welcome to butt in, sir. I thought of To Catch a Thief, too. Definitely light on the scary. My favorite is Vertigo but I'm not sure that's such a great one to start with. My first was The Man Who Knew Too Much, the later Jimmy Stewart version. I think it was my first JS movie, too.
DeleteDial M for Murder is nice - all of the classic elements in a tidy package.
I haven't seen it. When I was a kid Hitchcock was one of those genres we watched a lot, including Disney and John Wayne (yes, these are all film genres), but I've been working my way back toward him ever since. I've got the inexpensive set of his early films, so that's where I'll start.
ReplyDeleteI don't know the early films at all. This is now the earliest of his movies that I've seen.
DeleteIt's amazing Hitchcock only got one Oscar. I've never seen this, but my favorite Hitchcock film is Rope. That said, they're all brilliant.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, he never won a directing Oscar, though nominated five times. He did win a lifetime achievement award but that's it.
DeleteI watched "Rebecca" on our B/W tv way back when. Glued to the tv. I didn't think she would survive---oh that evil Judith Anderson.
ReplyDeleteI had my doubts at the end! I like that he calls out to her before we see her so that we can share in the relief on his face.
DeleteThe first Hitchcock movie I ever saw was The 39 Steps with my Mum so it is my favorite but I adore Stage Fright, Suspicion, Rebecca, Rear Window and North By Northwest.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
I've seen neither 39 Steps nor Stage Fright. It would seem I have some catching up to do, myself!
DeleteI haven't seen Rebecca. I really want to go on a black and White film marathon and watch all the greats.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like fun! If your looking for recommendations, The Philadelphia Story is my favorite from the B/W era.
DeleteWas North By Northwest Hitchcock? Because I remember loving that one. Myself I'm not a horror fan--at all-- but I have love of old black and white film. Back when AMC started it was all BW's. It's where I first watched the Thin Man movies, and Arsenic and Old Lace!
ReplyDeleteYes, North By Northwest is Hitch. I love that one, too.
DeleteApart from Psycho, I wouldn't call much of Hitchcock horror - suspense, definitely. I don't go in much for full on horror myself.
My wife loves the Thin Man movies! I've only watched the first. I'm sure we'll hit those eventually for Family Movie Night.
Nothing like the glam Nick and Nora!
DeleteThis weekend's movie was My Man Godfrey. I won't be posting a review as I already did one last year. William Powell, of the Thin Man, stars along with his ex-wife, Carole Lombard. If you like the Thin Man, you should give it a try.
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