Rebecca [1940]

Laurence Olivier stars as Maxim de Winter, who, reeling from the recent and unexpected death of his glamorous wife Rebecca, impulsively marries a young and adoring governess (Joan Fontaine). The new Mrs de Winter tries to fit into her role as mistress of the great house Manderley, but every step she takes is haunted by Rebecca's spirit. The ghost's brooding presence is personified by the insanely meticulous Mrs Danvers, brilliantly portrayed by Judith Anderson. As Fontaine's character begins to uncover the dark secrets of the de Winter clan, the house seems to take on a life of its own.

Passionate love and romance blend seamlessly with typically Hitchcockian emphases on guilt, sexuality and Gothic horror. The production values are stunning and the cast is excellent, down to the least of the supporting players. While Rebecca has enough surprises to captivate even the most jaded of moviegoers, it is also one of those rare films that improves with each viewing. --Raphael Shargel

This wonderfully atmospheric tale, complete with swirling fog and spooky organ music, will take you away to the glamourous, yet lonely world of Manderley. Joan Fontaine gives a breathtaking performance, convincing us she really is crippled with feelings of inadequacy, despite being a flawless beauty. Judith Anderson is unforgettable as the sneering housekeeper. Laurence Olivier makes a properly snobbish and brooding Maxim, and manages to be the hero despite a very fatal flaw. The title character, Rebecca (the first Mrs. de Winter), is never seen, but makes her intimidating presence known. If you like gothic romances filled with 1940's elegance and lots of creepy atmosphere, you'll enjoy Rebecca.


Rebecca - a gem of a thriller.   June 5, 2003
F. V. L. Buliciri (London, UK)
22 out of 23 found this review helpful

Rebecca is by far one of Alfred Hitchcock's most entertaining and often overlooked masterpieces. In this film his US directorial debut we see at work the first signs of his genius as the master of film suspense coming to life. Laurence Olivier is great as the tortured Maxim haunted by the memory of his beautiful and mysterious first wife and Joan Fontaine puts in a good performance as the shy dowdy second wife of Maxim who slowly unravels dark hidden secrets behind Rebecca's tragic death. They don't make classic thrillers any more like Rebecca and I like it because the film is still good entertainment after so many years. Dame Judith Anderson is probably one of the best female villains of all time in her portrayal of the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers.
One of the great thrillers of all time and a film that must be added to any Hitchcock fan's movie collection.


The greatest film of all time   September 3, 2005
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

This film is so great it is sublime. Both Fontaine and Olivier give the performances of a lifetime in this dark, exquisitely filmed and haunting masterpiece. The mise en scene is so perfectly co-ordinated that one is taken through the film in an almost dream-like state. This film really does have something for everyone- romance, mystery, suspense and even the odd quip from dapper Olivier, who surprisingly gives a rather understated performance. My only criticism is that this is the type of film that you just wish would never end.


Dark, misty, moody and haunting   June 7, 2005
Sally-Anne (Leicestershire, United Kingdom)
16 out of 18 found this review helpful

Rebecca is dead but she hasn't gone away. This film is all about the effect she still has on the people whose lives she touched while she was alive. Her influence remains strong even a year after her mysterious death - so strong that her widower, Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier) almost loses his balance every time something happens to remind him of her. And there are plenty of things that keep jumping up to remind him of her. His great ancestral pile, 'Manderley', is so filled with the echo of Rebecca's presence that his shy new wife is hardly able to compete. Mrs Danvers, the housekeeper, who seems to have loved Rebecca more than anybody, plays a game of psychological warfare with the second Mrs de Winter (whose first name we never learn) and at first succeeds in terrifying the young woman. The house is one of the characters in the film - a presence - as is the sea. Both are moody and restless. The curtains billow, the shadow of Mrs Danvers stalks the rooms and corridors and Rebecca's aura unsettles Maxim and his wife. The sea crashes against the rocks and shore below the house. Mists roll in and darkness seems to close around.

The story, the acting, the cinematography (using the technology of 65 years ago!) and even the music all get top marks from me. Wonderful. Highly recommended.


One of Hitch's Best   January 1, 2006
K. Edwards
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

This 1940 film was a star at the Oscars, winning two and gaining a raft of nominations in almost every class. Hitchcocks first Hollywood studio-bound feature, it oozes deft cinematography, eerie scenes, brilliant studio sets and acting. Of course it has that slick direction from Hitch that we've come to expect from later films. It's exciting, romantic, gothic, it even has a lesbian sub-plot, and shows a young dashing Olivier (before his over-acting days came..) and the ever-gorgeous Joan Fontaine. Each scene is exquisitely lit, the dialogue is succinct, incidental music is passionate and the book-based story intelligent. No matter that it's 1940 black and white, I'm 30 and found the film 'spine-tinglingly' enchanting.