Jane Eyre

Robert Stevenson (1943)

92min

PG Certificate

Review

Our Score

by Tony Sloman

From Tudor Rose through Back Street to Mary Poppins, British director Robert Stevenson always demonstrated a warmly sympathetic treatment of women characters. This adaptation of the Brontë classic is a fine example of his work, though many will persist in attributing the film's virtues to Orson Welles, who might have made a fine job of directing it, given the chance. Welles's Edward Rochester is suitably awesome, dominating his scenes (naturally), but, unfortunately, slowing the pace whenever he appears. Joan Fontaine, still recovering from a severe double dose of Alfred Hitchcock - Rebecca and Suspicion - acquits herself well in the title role. Watch for a young Elizabeth Taylor in a small but telling appearance early on.

Summary

A naive young woman becomes governess in a mysterious Yorkshire mansion and before long she is completely besotted with her charismatic but intimidating employer. But unbeknown to her, the master of the house is concealing a dark secret. Romantic period drama based on Charlotte Bronte's novel, starring Joan Fontaine, Orson Welles, Agnes Moorehead and Margaret O'Brien.

Cast & Crew

Edward Rochester Orson Welles

Jane Eyre Joan Fontaine

Adele Margaret O'Brien

Jane, as a child Peggy Ann Garner

Dr Rivers John Sutton

Bessie Sara Allgood

Brockelhurst Henry Daniell

Mrs Reed Agnes Moorehead

Helen Burns Elizabeth Taylor

Colonel Dent Aubrey Mather

Mrs Fairfax Edith Barrett

Lady Ingraham Barbara Everest

Blanche Hillary Brooke

Grace Poole Ethel Griffies

Director Robert Stevenson

Other Information

Language: EnglishBlack and whiteAvailable on: video and DVD

Drama

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Robert Stevenson (1943)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Other Information

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