Discuss Wuthering Heights
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Hard to think this is a sanitised version of the book...
posted by FergooseSTAFFMOD on October 12, 2020 at 3:24 PM
Heathcliff is a deranged maniac in this film who dedicates his life to Kathy and ruins everyone's life in the process, including his own. But apparently the film only depicts the first half of the book and really pulls its punches in terms of Heathcliffs worst actions. It almost makes me want to read the book to read what sort of scandalous depravity he gets up to.
The film is 'of its time' and, like many, doesn't really capture elapsed time very well. But it has some really good music and quite good sets. I wasnt convinced by the love interest at all, perhaps explained by reports Olivier and Oberon had a personality clash on this film. But even if, like me, you misinterpret Heathcliff as simply a person with underlying mental and psychological issues, its a pretty entertaining watch.
6/10
Reply by Strange Bedfellows
on October 13, 2020 at 4:47 AM
Laurence Olivier was terribly miscast as Heathcliff if you have read the book. Heathcliff was a swarthy dark child that Cathy's father found at the docks and brought home. Cathy was a somewhat wild and impulsive free spirit. Oberon was a bit too refined to play her in my view. But these were the stars of the era. I think Heathcliff was treated appallingly by Hindley and by Cathy. One reduced him to an ill treated servant and the other destroyed him emotionally because she wanted to be "a lady". It is hardly surprising that Heathcliff was filled with hatred for Hindley and an ambivalent love for Cathy. His actions after her death were cruel and hurt the wrong people - but she and Hindley had damaged him emotionally so much it was hardly surprising. My sympathies were all with Heathcliff !! I have never seen a version that met the Heathcliff of my imagination - or the Cathy really. I think Tom Hardy - although a good actor was ridiculous as Heathcliff - he looked like he had just left Eton. Maybe the Ralph Fiennes - Juliette Binoche version came a bit nearer. I know there is a 2011 version where Heathcliff is played by a black actor but he just didn't have the power to portray the complexity of Heathcliff in my view. I guess we all have a version of characters in our imaginations and nobody quite fits the bill !! It is the same with Rochester and Jane Eyre. So many versions and nobody as yet has portrayed those characters to my satisfaction !!!
Reply by Fergoose
on October 13, 2020 at 5:02 PM
What? Not even Cliff Heathcliff Richards?
Reply by Strange Bedfellows
on October 13, 2020 at 5:54 PM
I'd reply if I could stop laughing !!!
Reply by bratface
on October 13, 2020 at 7:31 PM
I agreed with you up until the bolded statement. Fiennes is so far from being 'swarthy' & in my humble opinion a boring actor!
Reply by Strange Bedfellows
on October 14, 2020 at 5:57 AM
I did say "closest" simply because all the other versions were so far away from what I imagined the characters to be like. I am not a huge fan of Fiennes either. I cannot think of any British actors who could play those parts convincingly today - they all tend to look the same - same hair styles - same manicures - same eyebrows - same stubble etc. They look like they have all come off the "product" production line. Put them on a wild Yorkshire moor and they would run screaming for their hair lacquer.