Rebecca | Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine | A Shadow Haunting Happiness

Rebecca | Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine | Rebecca, 2008 re-release

DVDs:

Rebecca

	Rebecca Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine MGM (Video & DVD), 2008 average customer review:based on 172 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

A Shadow Haunting Happiness

"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again...."

Joan Fontaine is captivating in Hitchcock's beautifully realized romantic drama of a new wife competing with a memory so strong it hangs like a shadow over every facet of her existence. Robert E. Sherwood and Joan Harrison crafted a riveting screenplay from Michael Hogan and Scottish mystery writer Phillip MacDonald's adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's now classic tale of dark romance.

Franz Waxman's lovely score and George Barnes' lushly photographed scenes frame David O. Selznick's stellar production like a mist forming on the grounds of Manderly. A wonderful cast of screen veterans make this very long film a mezmerizing drama from which you can't look away.

Olivier gives a strong performance as the dashing yet troubled widower, Maxim, but it is Fontaine as the young and unsure girl overwhelmed by his romantic attentions who stole our hearts and became a film favorite, winning the Academy Award the next year for Hitchcock's Suspicion.

Fontaine is swept off her feet by the debonair but brooding widower, Maxim. Mousy and shy, there is an endearing charm to her performance in the early portion of the film which has the viewer falling in love with her. It all seems like a dream to her, and Hitchcock uses a rainy windshield to give she and the viewer a snow globe like first glance at Manderly, further augmenting the story's dreamlike quality.

Their fairy-tale romance has its darker elements, however, and from her first moments at Manderly she begins to realize that Rebecca is still very much alive, though long dead. She must compete with a ghost at every turn, diminishing her self-confidence. Friends like Reginald Denny and Nigel Bruce cannot offset the twisted loyalty of Maxim's housekeeper, Miss Danvers (Judith Anderson).

Just when she finds the strength to break free from Rebecca's memory, a battered boat and startling revelations from Maxim about his marriage turn everything upside down. George Sanders causes much trouble during this phase of the story but the revelations are not as yet fully disclosed, nor is the outcome for Manderly and the couple certain in any way. Fontaine is amazing as she grows up and becomes an anchor for Maxim, finally becoming Mrs. De Winter.

A romantically haunting drama with a tremendously enchanting performance from Joan Fontaine, Rebecca is a cinematic masterpiece and a must see film.

for more information click here

Rebecca, 2008 re-release

Actually the line is: "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again..." Note: the five stars are solely for the movie Rebecca, not this particular product.
Which brings me to the point of this review. The Criterion Collection issue of Rebecca, until now, has been the ultimate DVD release. With this current release, there are a lot of questions not answered in the hype. Does this version include ALL of the bonus extras from the Criterion Collection version, such as: the making of..., screen tests, costume and make-up tests, commentaries? It also says "restored" but does that indeed mean, remastered? I refer to the Criterion practice of remastering from the original negative. Thank you in advance for any information.

for more information click here

Brilliantly realised Hitchcock masterpiece

One of the great films of all-time. Hitchcock's brilliant realisation of Du Maurier's gothic romance is unsurpassed. Olivier is perfect as the aloof Maxim De Winter and Joan Fontaine excellent as the nervous "Second" Mrs De Winter (we never actually learn her real name). This was the only Hitchcock film to win Best Picture though Hitchcock did not pick up Best Director (indeed he never did).

Product Details say that WHO stars in this?!!

If anyone already owns this, please tell me if this is FOR SURE the Rebecca that stars Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier. The picture shows them, but the product details describe a bunch of actors I've never heard of and who are definitely NOT in the Hitchcock Rebecca that the picture shows. HELP!!

for more information click here