Rebecca

Rating:
Summary: Another Classic From Alfred
Review: Not that many people seen this film...they NEED to though.

Rating:
Summary: Chilling - a fantastic Hitchcock film...
Review: Rebecca was the first Hitchcock film I ever saw, and it inspired me to watch all of his other films. In other words, I really enjoyed watching this movie, and it is one of my favorites. The most remarkable thing about Rebecca, in my opinion, is the atmosphere - chilling, haunting, indeed it is almost gothic. Although Rebecca is in many ways different from most Hitchcock films, it is a perfect illustration of Hitchcock's amazing ability to create almost unbelieveable tension and suspense out of the most commonplace scenes.

Essentially, Rebecca is the story of an innocent, naive young woman (played by Joan Fontaine) who falls in love with a mysterious, eccentric rich man named Maxim DeWinter. After being brought to DeWinter's enormous mansion, Manderley, the young bride begins to fear the former mistress of Manderley, the famous Rebecca, who died years ago. This explanation does not do justice to the incredible suspense in the film, but be certain that Rebecca is a thrilling and haunting movie.

So, all in all, this is a chilling but wonderful movie! Highly recommended - unlike most movies today, Rebecca proves that the atmosphere is the key element and that suspense and fear can be created without blood and gore.

Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL disc, no matter how many times you've seen REBECCA
Review: This 2-disc set is full of fun stuff -- my favorite bits are Joan Fontaine's costume tests -- she's wearing an early version of the Manderly ballgown, and then, SURPRISE, SURPRISE! Scarlett O'Hara's wedding gown (to George Hamilton) and then the ruby-red velvet-sequined number Rhett tells Scarlett to wear to Ashley's birthday party ("Gone With The Wind" costumes). I can't imagine why Walter Plunkett let those gowns even be *considered* for any other movie, but I gather Selznick (who was apparently a control freak, probably why this movie is so perfect) was trying to come up with a good look for the costume worn by "I" to the Manderly ball (the final of which I always loved, from the moment I saw this movie as a kid -- kudos to Irene for costume design, that ballgown may not be a real "period piece," but it's just yummy all the same. Oh, the layers upon layers of tulle and organza in that skirt!! Too bad Maxim wasn't overjoyed with it!). Interviews with Fontaine (over the phone, can be a bit draggy, though): commentary that shed new light on the film even for me; original trailers and publicity photos, screen tests by Anne Baxter, Viv Leigh and a bunch of other hopefuls for the role are fun to watch, and, best of all, super-clear transcription of the movie. THRILLING! Do not deprive yourself of this double-disc set. Don't settle for the single disc, bonus-material-deprived version that's out there. I guarantee you that this one's a keeper. -- REVIEW WRITTEN BY THE BIGGEST COSTUME (AND HITCHCOCK FILM) FANATIC IN BOSTON, MA.

Rating:
Summary: "Have you ever seen anything so delicate?"
Review: Those seeking typical Hitchcock fair, with death and suspense in spades, should seek elsewhere than "Rebecca." This film, Hitcock's first American film, is heavy on melodrama and suspense of a personal nature. The great house Manderly is as much a cast-member as Mr. and Mrs. de Winter.

That being said, "Rebecca" is a satisfying movie. It is emotional; we can feel Joan Fontain's suffocation in her new role as mistress of Manderly. The ghost of absent Rebecca clings to the mansion, though this is not a ghost story. In atmosphere, I am reminded of Robert Wise's "The Haunting."

The Criterion Collection presentation is as good as it gets. There is a full course of "Rebecca" scholarship here for those who wish to take it. The only thing missing is Daphne du Maurier's original novel.

A special nod to the included Lux Theater broadcast radio dramas. These are swiftly becoming my favorite DVD extra, and this version contains 3 of them. Very cool.

Rating:
Summary: A very chilling thriller....
Review: When I saw this movie I was thinking a couple things 1. "This is a *GREAT* movie!"!!! & 2. "Man why can't they STILL make movies like this?"

The character thought that really made the chill factor was "Danver". Of course the feeling of the movie is VERY gothic&the house is exquisite. Without the gothic feel it surely would not be so creepy. But everything in this movie seems VERY natural&it flows at the perfect pace. And has some wonderfully unexpected twist&turns.

Laurence Oliver and Joan Fontaine do so well playing their parts. I think now he is probrably one of my favorite actors. Both of them are completely natural, as if it was actually happening.

Definetely worth a watch. A good Hitchcock Film&And his first in America.!

*Enjoy*!!!

God Bless ~Amy

Rating:
Summary: What am I missing??
Review: First off, let me say that I love old movies - and I love Hitchcock, especially "Rear Window" and "Vertigo". But this movie simply didn't do anything for me.

As a suspense film, it lacked much suspense. The big revelation by Maxim near the end of the film had very little dramatic impact - and the expository scene with Mrs. DeWinter's doctor, where much of the plot was explained, was dull and felt tacked-on.

As a love story, it lacked chemistry - Maxim was such a boring, obnoxious cad that I couldn't believe anyone would want to marry him. His new wife was a snivelling mouse who allowed everyone to abuse her. And that housekeeper!! Can you say "over the top"?? Anyone besides me wonder why she was even kept as an employee there?? I would think that trying to convince the mistress of the house to committ suicide might be grounds for dismissal!! Every time I saw that housekeeper I kept thinking of Cloris Leachman from "Young Frankenstein".

Which, by the way, was a far superior movie to this one.

Rating:
Summary: An amazing movie!!!!!!
Review: I have always loved the novel REBECCA. It is a pure example of classic talent! Sir Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine are William Shakespeare's present day Romeo and Juliet! The love, struggle, and passion between the two throughout the movie is a prime example of strength, determination, and the power that is needed to hold one's relationship together!
This DVD captures their love and the passion of REBECCA in more ways then one. There's nothing more explicit then watching this suspensful yet awaking romance on DVD. The entire movie is captured ten times better by it. REBECCA is a movie that must be followed every step of the way to be experienced and endured to its fullest, and this DVD does it with no hesitation! I highly recommend this DVD, REBECCA!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful movie!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Rebecca was another great Hitchcock masterpiece! Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson played their parts wonderfully. I was captivated through out the entire movie. Wonderful acting, camera angles, etc. A true Hitchcock masterpiece!!!

Rating:
Summary: classic
Review: i first saw this film when i was a teenage
it has always been one of my favorite
films, the new release on dvd has lots of
added extras and the quality is so clear .
its a must see for true movie lovers.....

Rating:
Summary: Hitchcock's first trip across the pond
Review: REBECCA is based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier. This 1940 film, marked the first collaboration between Director Hitchcock., and Producer David Selznick. It tells the story of a woman, (Joan Fontaine) who has a whirlwind romance with a wealthy widower, Max De Winter (Laurence Oliver), the couple marry. Soon after, the second wife De Winter realizes that she must compete with Max's first wife, Rebecca Not only is she sure that Max is haunted by the memory of his first wife, she is also convinced that, she is being driven insane by images of her as well. This is more of a psycological drama then it is thriller. That being said, the film still has plenty of Hitchcock touches, and with the film fully restored...It has never looked better.

The crew at Criterion have put together another fine 2 disc set. There is a bunch of solid extras to enjoy. The most exciting for me were the audio intconversations between Hitchcock and French filmmaker Francois Truffaut about the film. There are 3 full-length radio dramas of REBECCA, incuding one, produced by Orson Wells in 1938. The set also includes rare archival footage of the stars and different screen tests, a comprensive still gallery, deleted scene script excerpts, and actual production and casting notes. The Commentary from Hitchcock author Leonard J.Leff is the next best thing to hearing from the late director himself. While REBECCA is not my favorite Hitchcock film, I think it holds up, and is a must for anyone who admires him.