- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tony Sloman
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5 out of 5
Alfred Hitchcock's first Hollywood film is a sumptuous and suspenseful adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's romantic novel. Produced by David O Selznick, it is immaculately played and was rightly awarded the Oscar for best picture. That Laurence Olivier as Maxim de Winter is superb goes without saying, but it's mousey Joan Fontaine who is a revelation as the second Mrs de Winter. Lovers of lesbian subtexts will have a field day with Judith Anderson's sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers, as Hitchcock circumvents the Hays Code censors who forced him to make changes to the original story. Fortunately no damage was done - unless you think too hard. And, since the style and pace never let up, there's no danger of that happening.
Plot Summary
Classic romantic thriller, based on Daphne du Maurier's novel, starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. Wealthy widower Maxim de Winter returns from Monte Carlo to his family estate in Cornwall, bringing with him his young bride. But the new Mrs de Winter soon finds herself haunted by the spirit of her husband's beautiful first wife, Rebecca, who died in mysterious circumstances.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Maxim de Winter
- Laurence Olivier
- Mrs de Winter
- Joan Fontaine
- Jack Favell
- George Sanders
- Mrs Danvers
- Judith Anderson
- Major Giles Lacy
- Nigel Bruce
- Frank Crawley
- Reginald Denny
- Colonel Julyan
- C Aubrey Smith
- Beatrice Lacy
- Gladys Cooper
- Mrs Edythe Van Hopper
- Florence Bates
- Coroner
- Melville Cooper
- Dr Baker
- Leo G Carroll
- Ben
- Leonard Carey
Crew
- Director
- Alfred Hitchcock
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