Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The story of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, surrounds the mysterious death of the previous wife of Mr. de Winter. The protagonist, simply dubbed Mrs. de Winter, struggles to fill Rebecca’s place while dealing with her own insecurities as well. The story itself is not only tantalizing with its enigmatic air surrounding Rebecca’s death but the protagonist reveals hidden emotions that can be compared to in real life. One might say that several of the situations that make the main character feel self-conscious could be easily fixed. However, Maurier utilizes this to amplify Mrs. de Winter’s distress as well as with her husband’s. Through the book, the protagonist is able to banish her self-doubt by realizing that Rebecca could never truly hurt her or interfere with her love for Mr. de Winter, but that only herself was affecting her relationship with Mr. de Winter and her self-confidence.
Our best professional critical review is from The Reading Agency and is written by a volunteer at Portsmouth Library named Kate. She states that, "Rebecca has something for everyone: Romance, Horror, Crime and Mystery and its delicious turn of events will leave readers astonished". Rebecca: Book Review by Kate Link: https://readingagency.org.uk/young-people/002-showcase/002-reviews/rebecca---book-review-by-kate.html Daphne du Maurier's son reveals how Rebecca is not really supposed to be a "romantic novel" but a "study of jealousy" along with Maurier's inspirations for the novel: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10248724/Daphne-du-Maurier-always-said-her-novel-Rebecca-was-a-study-in-jealousy.html Picture: ("The Book Project") |
Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca
According to a New York Times article from 1940, Frank Nugent states "Miss du Maurier's tale of the second mistress of Manderley, a simple and modest and self-effacing girl who seemed to have no chance against every one's—even her husband's—memories of the first, tragically deceased Mrs. de Winter, was one that demanded a film treatment evocative of a menacing mood, fraught with all manner of hidden meaning, gaited to the pace of an executioner approaching the fatal block" (par. 3).
Hitchcock's stunning recreation of Rebecca brings the book to life with the main characters played by Joan Fontaine and Laurence Oliver. The music was very much suited to the gothic mood and the time period that it was filmed in. The various scenes and costumes are also exquisitely detailed from the crisp Monte Carlo to the alluring Manderley.
The beautiful Fontaine's use of nervous body language and innocent stare accent a certain naive aspect to the character. Oliver also does an outstanding performance of the moody Mr. de Winter. However, the real recognition belongs to Judith Anderson. Her portrayal of Mrs. Danvers' obsession with wide eyes, aloof appearance, and the intensity of the way she speaks of Rebecca stands out from the rest.
With any book being transformed to a movie, as usual there are several minor parts that are left out or are added in for effect. Although, Hitchcock does a brilliant job of adapting it to the movie screen. In recent light, some scenes may be considered too dramatic or not dramatic enough. Maxim de Winter's reaction to the costume in the ball scene was a little lackluster for a man who sees another woman in something his previous wife wore. The bedroom scene also seemed to have less of a darker atmosphere than what was anticipated. However, overall the movie is an exceptional example of staying true to the original story.
Rebecca Full Movie Review by Frank Nugent: http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C06E5D61430E43ABC4151DFB566838B659EDE
Hitchcock's stunning recreation of Rebecca brings the book to life with the main characters played by Joan Fontaine and Laurence Oliver. The music was very much suited to the gothic mood and the time period that it was filmed in. The various scenes and costumes are also exquisitely detailed from the crisp Monte Carlo to the alluring Manderley.
The beautiful Fontaine's use of nervous body language and innocent stare accent a certain naive aspect to the character. Oliver also does an outstanding performance of the moody Mr. de Winter. However, the real recognition belongs to Judith Anderson. Her portrayal of Mrs. Danvers' obsession with wide eyes, aloof appearance, and the intensity of the way she speaks of Rebecca stands out from the rest.
With any book being transformed to a movie, as usual there are several minor parts that are left out or are added in for effect. Although, Hitchcock does a brilliant job of adapting it to the movie screen. In recent light, some scenes may be considered too dramatic or not dramatic enough. Maxim de Winter's reaction to the costume in the ball scene was a little lackluster for a man who sees another woman in something his previous wife wore. The bedroom scene also seemed to have less of a darker atmosphere than what was anticipated. However, overall the movie is an exceptional example of staying true to the original story.
Rebecca Full Movie Review by Frank Nugent: http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C06E5D61430E43ABC4151DFB566838B659EDE
Clips from Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca
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The Trailer for Rebecca Mr. de Winter's Proposal
(Cinenetahtv, 2012) (SarahBrontee, 2012)
(Cinenetahtv, 2012) (SarahBrontee, 2012)
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Rebecca's Bedroom The Manderley Costume Ball
(JEJE9339, 2010) (MultiBigkong, 2012)
(JEJE9339, 2010) (MultiBigkong, 2012)