Rating: Summary: The Grandest Love Story Ever ! Review: First of all don't even compare this film to the classic novel by Emily Bronte. They are two seperate works of art. Judge this film on it's own merits. It's is a film of seething passion. The performances are great, Greg Toland's cinematography is glorious ! This films shows us (perfectly) that "true love" which reaches deep into one's soul can be the closest thing to "Heaven on Earth". But when that love is broken and turned away it can be a force powerful enough to destroy lives. It's a classic in every sense. It's so compelling it will grip you every time you watch it. Who would ever think that things as mundane and dreary, like the moors, and heather could become such romantic symbols to us after seeing this film. Get this DVD, it's a timeless film that you will cherish owning.
Rating: Summary: There will never be a movie like this one! Review: Breathtaking scenery and it's Laurence Olivier's finest work to date! In every adaptation I've seen of this story no one comes close to playing "Heathcliff" to perfection as Olivier! The juicy dialogue and the heartrenching scenes will make you wanting for more. They don't make movies like this anymore. And Merle Oberon was perfect as well and both did a great job considering they couldn't stand each other(the role was meant first for his love Vivien Leigh). Bravo Mr. Wyler!
Rating: Summary: Worst Movie Ever. Review: This is the worst movie I have ever seen! It was supposed to be based on Emily Bronte's novel, but I don't think that the director even read the book! It was truly dissapointing to see this movie. They set it in the wrong time period, wrong clothes, and even cut out the last half of the book. Heathcliff, who is evil, is portrayed as good, and Edgar, who is good, is portrayed as evil! Even though the movie is bad, the novel "Wuthering Heights" was one of the best books I have read. I suggest that you buy the book, and not this movie.
Rating: Summary: An Incomparable Feat of Cinematic Storytelling Review: I had the good fortune of seeing this film on a big screen at a New York cinema in the early seventies. Viewing a master print in a darkened theatre was one of the all-time highlights of my movie-going experiences. Yes, this is a truncated version of the novel, which I would urge anyone who hasn't already done so to read. It is on my personal top ten list for greatest novels ever. In my opinion this film is far superior to GWTW, which took home the oscar for best-picture in '39. Basically this is due to the source material. Wuthering Heights is great literature. GWTW was a best-seller, but not what one could call great literature. Catherine and Heathcliffe belong in the same literary company as Abelarde and Heloise, Dante's Paolo and Francessa, and Romeo and Juliet. I cant think of anyone who could have been better cast as Heathcliffe than Olivier. Merle Oberon also made for a highly believable Catherine. Flora Robeson also delivers a flawless performance. This is William Wyler's masterpiece. I didn't know until reading some of these reviews that this was filmed in California. I was certain it had to have been filmed on the English moors. If you want to see genius at work, by all means buy the video or the DVD. And if you ever get the chance to see it on a big screen, seize the opportunity. I'm not ordinarily the sentimental type. I can only recall two occasions when I openly wept at the conclusion of a movie. The first was when I saw "Old Yeller" at about eight-years-of-age, the second when I saw Wuthering Heights. I have seen it about five times since and I'll be damned if it doesn't always have the same impact.
Rating: Summary: MY FAVOURITE LOVE STORY OF ALL TIME Review: This Goldwyn classic from 1939 is a superior piece of motion picture craftmanship; William Wyler's direction is very evident and the performances are uniformly superb. Laurence Oliver credited Wyler for teaching him particular lessons neccesary in the art of screen acting and his performance as the tortured Heathcliff is nothing less than magnificent! Although less brilliant in the acting department, Merle Oberon's portrait of Cathy is effective; she's exquisite with her exotic looks and essentially effective in being selfish and mixed-up concerning her feelings towards her part- Gypsy friend whom she's loved since childhood (as children, they would make-believe on the Yorkshire moors together.) Flora Robson is memorable as the long-suffering servant Ellen and Geraldine is very good as Isabella (a role Vivien Leigh turned down because of it's supporting nature) David Niven is ideal as milquetoast Edgar Linton. The ghostly finale still packs a wallop, so be forewarned, and keep the tissues handy! Many criticise this version for stopping at chapter 17 of the wildly haunting original Bronte classic, yet few can deny it's a beautiful photoplay; the "moors" were actually filmed in Ventura County, California where tons of imported heather was transplanted especially for the film; this was Samuel Goldwyn's personal favourite of all his movies.
Rating: Summary: Magnificent Review: A Sweeping version of the Bronte classic.Olivier and Oberon are haunting in their roles as star crossed lovers in England. Wyler,s direction , fine supporting actors mark this film that should be seen again and again. Kathy,s last lines....: I,ll wait for you" with eyes glazed over are not soon forgotten. And Finally a very trite statement for all. 'they dont make them like this.....anymore"
Rating: Summary: Gorgeous portrayal of "Twin Soul" love Review: Absolutely stupendous example of wild, passionate, "twisting and turning" love between "twin souls". The road is not always smooth and easy for these kind of lovers, yet they are destined to learn their lessons and be together once again. Beautiful acted, Olivier and Oberon both exude the expansive, edgey existence of one soul, in two bodies. Their many lessons...trials and tribulations, are gorgeously illustrated, as each eventually comes to realize that there can never be any real separation, but that they are bound together for eternity. Exquisite story.......superb movie!
Rating: Summary: most heart felt, tragic and longing love story Review: This version, and considered to be the only version, made justice to Bronte's words of literature. Sir Laurence Olivier's performance was phenomenal! Sir Olivier IS the most talented, well-spoken and handsome actor in the twentieth century. Watching this movie always brings tears to my eyes and my heart feels for the characters. May I leave the words of Heathcliff when he stood over Cathy's body-"...I cannot live without my life, I cannot die without my soul!" These are words of poetry. Words stuck to my soul! A scene where everything is lost to me in this world and only Heathcliff and Cathy exists. A love so powerful that not even death can conquer them!
Rating: Summary: Wuthering Heights Is A Real tour de force Review: As far as I can perceive,Wuthering Heights is honestly a real piece de resistance.Though the end of its major themes,love,passion,hate obssession and revenge is catastrophic, it's still the most enthralling,exciting and fascinitaing novel I have ever read in English literature. Regarding the characters,I think, my favourite one is Edgar Linton who loved his difficult-to-please-wife,Catherine.On the contrary,my most unfavourite character is the ingrateful,vindictive,ruthless Heathcliff. It's true that Catherine had made a mistake by marring Edgar,but she had paid dearly her own life for it.Even if you, Heathcliff want to wreck revenge on someone,it should be Catherine and only Catherine.Not,however,to extend your vengeance to the all family generations as you wickedly and spitefully did. In conclusion, I would like to say that though i have already read the whole novel word by word,I intend to read it again soon.It is worth .
Rating: Summary: A classic film, despite straying from the book Review: Once again, this is a film that tries to squish an entire novel in a limited time frame. I really hate that, because it means that characters are left out, scenes are deleted and (in this case) entire chapters are forgotten. Still, though, once more, this film manages to capture the heart of the book, which is the lifelong tortured romance of Heathcliff and Cathy. Cathy loves poor stable boy Heathcliff, but she vainly marries another for his wealth and position. This sets Heathcliff off on one of the most obsessive revenges ever captured on film. Olivier does a master performance as Heathcliff, a tortured soul embittered by the loss of love. Merle Oberon as Cathy is good too. She has equal parts wildness and viciousness. You really want to hate her, but you sympathize with her at the same time. This film is a rollercoaster of emotion, just like the book, so despite its deletion of other parts, it still is a fascinating watch.
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