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Reviews
Rebecca (1979)
As close to the book as you can get
This is one of the most satisfying screen adaptations of a novel I've ever seen, and I've seen a great many. Part of the credit goes to Simon Langton's direction and Hugh Whitemore's excellent script, which is as faithful to the novel as one could wish. The bulk of the credit goes to absolute perfect casting: Jeremy Brett simply IS Maxim, brooding, enigmatic, and attractive. Joanna David manages to portray the second wife's insecurity and shyness without being annoyingly nervous (none of Joan Fontaine's jittery mannerisms here). The very first shot of Anna Massey took my breath away--I thought, "THAT is Mrs. Danvers!" All three give wonderful performances, and the secondary characters are marvelous as well. Locations are exactly as I imagined them to be, and the use of Debussy for much of the musical score is a brilliant stroke.
Why on earth isn't this available on DVD???
In This House of Brede (1975)
Mixed feelings...
If I had never read the novel (and loved it), and if I had never lived the cloistered religious life (which I have), I would recommend this film without reserve.
My reservations are based on the following: Having lived in a cloister for over two years, I can tell you that, even in these post-Vatican II times, a postulant or novice would never be permitted to speak freely with another sister, especially an elder, without permission from her novice mistress. Recreations are not "free time", as depicted in the film; it is a daily get-together of the community as a whole, and it is encouraged that you converse in groups of at least three (you can talk to one other sister if you feel you have to, but certainly not for the whole recreation period). Also, silence being an essential and necessary aspect of contemplative monasticism, a sister, no matter what rank, would not sing out loud whenever and wherever she felt moved to do so, and especially not during work time. I could go on... but suffice it to say that this film is not an accurate depiction of cloistered life.
However, I do have positive feelings about this film. Even though it bears little resemblance in plot to the novel, it's still a good basic story in itself and is very well acted by an ensemble of wonderful actors. And, inaccurate of the life as it is, the film still evokes in me a nostalgic longing for the monastery, and I admit that I watch it for mainly that reason.
Oh, that the BBC would produce a mini-series of Godden's wonderful novel! That would be something to see. Godden was herself a Benedictine Oblate (lay persons connected by vows to a religious order), and her book is a loving and faithful tribute to Benedictine nuns everywhere.
Little Women: Part I (1978)
Wonderful Adaptation
I was so happy when this finally came out on DVD, I snapped it up and received it on my birthday! Although I wish a truly complete miniseries will appear one day, this version is very satisfying. Of course, many chapters in the novel had to be combined, e.g., Jo and Laurie's meeting and "Meg Goes to Vanity Fair" occur at the same party; and "A Telegram" and "Camp Laurence" happen on the same day. Other events were switched around chronologically; for instance, Laurie's proposal to Jo happens, as it does in all the film versions, before her trip to New York (in the novel, he proposes after she comes home). But on the whole, these changes and the necessary concessions to time constraints are handled smoothly.
Susan Dey is a wonderful Jo, and Eve Plumb manages to portray the strength in Beth's gentleness, making her much more human than earlier Beths. Greer Garson is a treat -- nice to see Aunt March as a product of her era and upbringing rather than merely crusty and bad-humoured. William Shatner's mannered style rather suits the character of Prof. Bhaer, and the rest of the cast is fine.
Some of the language and colloquialisms in the script, and the music Laurie plays on the piano, strike me as being not of the period; but these are minor, piddly flaws in an otherwise highly enjoyable adaptation.