Rebecca

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, amazing DVD bonus features.
Review: "Rebecca," the first American film for director Alfred Hitchcock and the first film produced by David O. Selznick after "Gone With the Wind," is a beautiful, well-acted masterpiece. It was the only film of Hitchcock's to win a Best Picture Oscar. Based upon Daphne du Maurier's novel, the film is about Maxim de Winter and his new wife returning to Manderley, a mansion still filled with hints and the condemning presence of Maxim's first wife. The plot twists are startling. The villianous Mrs. Danvers, played by Judith Anderson, is particularly creepy. The Criterion DVD makes the film itself look grand.

But the reason this is one of my favorite DVD packages ever is the second disc, filled with extras. It's the only supplemental disc I've devoted hours to studying. It features loads upon loads of angry memos from Selznick to Hitchcock that detail just how difficult it was to bring "Rebecca" to the screen.

The second disc, which makes this DVD a must-have, gives the viewer a glimpse into film history, for things were not going well for Hitchcock on the set of his first American film. Selznick, who wanted the film to be as faithful as possible to the book, ordered multiple rewrites on Hitch's first treatment and questioned his judgment on hundreds of key decisions. His two leads, Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, were not getting along. Fontaine's part had been incredibly difficult to cast, which you can tell because the disc features screen tests from all sorts of actresses, including scenes from a 16-year-old Anne Baxter and an overacting Vivien Leigh.

I enjoyed this disc because it reminded me that Hitch was once just a novice trying to prove himself, that sometimes a film producer does have the audience in mind when making a film and, primarily, that film is a collaborative art in which all sorts of on-set conflicts can create a classic.

If you're a Hitchcock fan, get this right away.

Rating:
Summary: Quite remarkable
Review: While there are many, many things to enjoy about Hitchcock's "Rebecca," the thing that struck me the most was the outstanding performance by Joan Fontaine. She was just perfect as the shy, awkward Second Mrs. DeWinter. I also thought George Sanders was very good as the sneaky, slimy Jack Favell. Laurence Olivier as Maxim DeWinter is, of course, also wonderful.

This is ideal material for Hitchcock, having enough suspense on its own; he takes it and runs with it, augementing the story with dramatic lighting and music, drawing the tension out until it's almost unbearable. Which is, of course, why we go to a Hitchcock film in the first place.

Rating:
Summary: Timeless...and one of the best opening sequences ever filmed
Review: "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again..." so begins a rare cinematic treat, and a faithful adaptation of the book. All members of the cast are superb, and Edythe Van Hopper is especially satisfying to watch, a malevolent toad of a social climber, and a physical presence enough to frighten anyone...that is, of course, until you meet Mrs. Danvers...I realized, after several readings of the book and viewings of the movie, that Daphne Du Maurier deliberately omitted the NAME of the second Mrs. De Winter, further negating her presence and enlarging even more the dreadful Rebecca. It is Rebecca's name which is put in front of us, and Rebecca's presence which is felt throughout the movie/book, and Rebecca whose influence, even after death, dictates the actions and reactions of the players in the story. There is a background story of how this novel came to be, and apparanetly Ms. Du Maurier was driving somewhere on the English coast (possibly Cornwall) and passed this magnificent estate overlooking the sea, and although the owners did not wish to sell, they agreed to lease it to her for while, and thus began the seed and setting for Rebecca. So she wove the tale of Manderley and its tortured inhabitants. David Selznick built several "Manderleys" in various sizes; modelled after the orignal house that attracted Daphne Du Maurier on her drive. My personal favorite of her books, and very well translated onto the screen. Hopefully someday they will make The Glassblowers (story of a family during the French Revolution, fascinating) and Hungry Hill (story of an Irish mining dynasty)into films as worthy as Rebecca.

Rating:
Summary: Gothic suspense.
Review: This movie stays wonderfully true to the novel; very little alterations were made on the big screen. It's the story of a young servant of a snobbish socialite who, while on vacation in Monte Carlo with her employer, meets dashing Maxim de Winter. We are so happy for the servant, who is nameless, when Maxim marries her and carries her off to Manderley, his huge estate in Cornwall, England. Unfortunately, she's not there long before she is haunted by the specter of Rebecca, Maxim's first wife. At every turn she must deal with lingering memory of her long-dead rival, who is kept alive by Mrs. Danvers, Manderley's sinister housekeeper, who had been Rebecca's faithful serving woman.

The story doesn't waver from beginning to end and makes an excellent companion piece for the book.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping
Review: This movie in some ways is sort of atypical of Alfred Hitchcock. While is has classic Hitchcock elements, it is a little less frightening than some of his stuff while it retains the element of suspense which he is known for.
This time the cool blonde is Joan Fontaine. Beyond a doubt, Fontaine is absolutely one of Hitchcock's most dazzling ladies in distress. My only real criticism of this movie is that you can never see Fontaine as being plain or uninteresting. I don't care if she is plainly dressed....it just makes her seem lovelier because her delicate beauty stands out even more than usual. Fontaine is absolutely convincing as the 2nd Mrs. De Winter and never falters.
As for Olivier, he is undoubtedly as handsome and sensitive as ever. You really understand why Fontaine falls for this man in spite of his remoteness.
The supporting cast is great. Florence Bates is a wonderfully obnoxious society diva. George Sanders is a great professional leech/blackmailer. The tour de force however is the great Judith Anderson as the housekeeper from hell Mrs. Danvers.
While a solid story creates the ultimate foundation, it is the cast of players that serves as the mortar that holds this together.

Rating:
Summary: Classic, Early Hitchcock
Review: The Criterion DVD version of Rebecca is a must-have for Hitchcock fans. Not only is the film restored to almost its original quality (both visually and sound-wise), but it is filled with hours of extras. Besides the usual film commentaries, this DVD (two discs) includes the screen tests for several of the actresses under consideration for the female lead, including Lorretta Young, Margaret Sullivan, Anne Baxter, and eventual star, Joan Fontaine. The Baxter tests are the most extensive, since according to the commentary, she was the front runner and favorite of many of the film's backers. Even more incredible is the fact that she was all of 16 when tested! Young's test is interesting, but Sullivan's just doesn't ring true. It would have been a stretch to believe that she was someone who could get pushed around by Mrs. Danvers. The worst of the lot is Vivien Leigh. It's hard to believe she's the same actress who played Scarlet O'Hara so brilliantly. She had no insight into the role or the character; it's the flatest of all the tests. Apparently they went with Fontaine because she photographed better than Baxter and she was older (yet still very young), but according to film scholar Leonard J. Leff, not everyone was pleased with the choice. Under Hitchcock's direction, Fontaine gave a believable and sensitive performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination and made her an international star overnight. Looking back, it's hard to imagine the other actresses in the role. Besides the commentary, there are three radio performances of the classic: one with Orson Welles and Margaret Sullivan; another with Ronald Colman (original choice for Maxim de Winter) and Ida Lupino; and Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. The latter two were performed after the movie was produced, the first while the film was in the early planning stages. Other interesting extras are footage from the 1940 Academy Award ceremony, phone interviews with Fontaine and Judith Anderson, and excerpts from Francois Truffaut's conversations with Hitchcock. All in all though it's the film itself that is the real standout. In this beautiful restoration, we can see this clasic almost as it must have looked when it first premiered. A wonderful narrative with the classic look of a David O. Selznick production, with the subtle touches and wonderful polish of Hitchcock coming into his own in Hollywood. For a more detailed plot description, see my review of the VHS version. If you're a Hitchcock fan, you won't be disappointed in the least with this superb DVD release.

Rating:
Summary: HAUNTINGLY PERFECT
Review: This review refers to the Anchor Bay DVD release of Rebecca.....

What do you get when you have a great work of literature by Daphne Du Maurier, combined with the cinematic skill of Director Alfred Hitchcock,combined with the extrordinary acting talents of Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders and Judith Anderson? You get pure perfection on film. Combined that with the technology to take a movie made 62 years ago and make a transfer to DVD that looks as if it was made yesterday, and you have 2hr and 10 minutes of movie heaven.
The story begins in the South of France where a young, introverted woman(Joan Fontaine) meets wealthy widowerMaxim de Winter(Olivier) His wife,Rebecca, had recently died in a drowning accident and often he seems to be pensive and far off. They fall in love, marry, and go back to his home, an estate called Manderly. She is overwhelmed by the palacial grandeur, the huge staff of servants but mainly by the very prim but chilling head housekeeper Mrs. Danvers(Judith Andersson). The first Mrs. De Winter still seems to have a presence in the household that Mrs. Danvers keeps alive.
To say anymore will be giving away too much of this hauntingly chilling love story/mystery.However I must talk about this DVD.
Although not the more expensive version with all the extras(don't look for any with this one) this one gave us a beautiful picture, and great sound. Everything was bright and clean I saw things I had never seen before, and I have watched this movie dozens of times. The sparkling of the sequins on a woman,s gown,
the way the sun shone and the rain fell. This is a great transfer of a great film(Academy Award best Picture 1940). I personally didn't need all the extras for this one, I just enjoyed the film. There is another version by criterion with lots of goodies if you are interested in that though.
Which ever version you choose-- Enjoy "Rebecca" and the splendor of Manderly--Laurie

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling and chilling!
Review: What a film! This is quintessential Hitchcock, ladies and gents. The story is sheer brilliance including a ghostly antagonist and multiple shocking plot twists! Laurence Olivier gives a well deserved preformance as always! Although his character is mysterious and enigmatic, he plays the role of Max DeWinter beautifully. With this EXCELLENT Criterion Collection two disc set, you can watch the screen/lighting/makeup tests, see multiple photos taken during production and footage from the 1940 Oscar awards! This set is loaded with great extras and I consider it to be one of Criterions most successful DVDs. The best thing about it its the screen test with Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh....a must see for a Larry and Viv fan! This is just the tip of the iceberg though...there are plenty more extras which make this a must for a Hitchcock fan as well.

Rating:
Summary: CRITERION STRIKES GOLD AGAIN!!!!!
Review: I have two editions of Rebecca. First I bought the Anchor Bay edition. Now I bought the CRITERION edition and must say that they simply outdone themselves. Not only this edition has better image (restored), it also has better sound. Buy this one instead!!

Obviously this Hitchcock film (his first film in America) is a landmark in his career. It tells the story of a newly married young woman who seems not to be able to stand against her husband's deceased wife's shadow (the title character). But being a Hitchcock movie, it is obvious that this is just the premisse - for there is a lot more to be discovered!!

Criterion delivers this much loved film along with a unbelievable set of extras. Watching them carefully, one gets the idea and the feel of what was like in the old days of the studio system. The correspondence between Selznik, Hitch and others is a piece of film history everyone should see. Along, also comes the most delightful things: The screen tests with Viven Leigh (it seems that Olivier was forcing her into the project), Anne Baxter (All About Eve) and others; interviews and lot of interesting information.

My favorite extra is the (optional) separated soundtrack that allows the viewer to hear just the music track. Franz Waxman's music is beautiful and it is great to be able to hear it without dialogue. The 22-page booklet also offers valuable information. The three(!) Lux Theatre broadcasts are also of a great piece of interest. The photo gallery is also a wow!

This is CRITERION's fourth Hitchcock release. After, "The 39 Steps" and "The Lady Vanishes", CRITERION already released a great edition of "Notorious" and will release "Spellbound" soon. I am sure to buy them all!
This is a great buy. It is worth every dolar!! You will not regret it!!!

Rating:
Summary: Anchor Bay's transfer is very good
Review: The film itself is legendary, and rightly so. For details about its many fine points, read the other reviews here. I am focusing on the quality of the Anchor Bay transfer, which I found to be quite good. There are occasional scratches, but nothing that is distracting for a film of this age. In fact, I thought it was on a par with Warner's DVD transfers of classic films like "The Philadelphia Story" or "All About Eve". The sound is reasonably clear mono, which sounded best using ProLogic II on my system. There are chapter selections, but there are no bonus extras; for that, you must buy the Criterion DVD, which costs almost 3 times as much. For my money, though, Anchor Bay is the way to go.