This is a brilliant film adaptation. Now, if you don't like "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong," Tim O'Brien's tale from They Things They Carried, you will not enjoy this film. But if you're a fan or the original writing, you will be entranced by this. I am a teacher of literature, sixty years old, and I find only one step awry in this adaptation. There are VERY few films based on literature about which I would ever say that. The story itself may require a leap of faith, but there's no further leaping to appreciate this film. The acting, dialogue, and perhaps most importantly the screenplay, are superb. The film's one fault is its ending, which muddles the story.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Rebecca
(1997)
Comparisons
27 July 2010
I recently viewed both the 1979 version (got a copy recorded off TV broadcast from somebody in Canada!) and the 1997 one, as well as reviewed the book. I have of course seen the '42 Olivier version as well.
My verdict on this version ('97) is that everyone is wonderful except Charles Dance. Totally inappropriate casting. He's all freckled and spotty and not the slightest bit attractive.
That being said, I have no idea why all the film versions skip (at least as far as I have noticed) the -- to my mind-- crucial scene in the book when the narrator finally tells Mrs. Danvers that she doesn't much care what the former Mrs. DeWinter would have done because SHE is Mrs. DeWinter now. This is after the "You should be the one who's dead" in Rebecca's room/shipwreck/Maxim's confession scenes.It may be that one version includes this, but I don't recall seeing it...
Anyway, Charles Dance?! Cannot BEGIN to compare to Jeremy Brett's portrayal. He was simply superb. I am so sorry this version is not available (except as I obtained it) on DVD.
My verdict on this version ('97) is that everyone is wonderful except Charles Dance. Totally inappropriate casting. He's all freckled and spotty and not the slightest bit attractive.
That being said, I have no idea why all the film versions skip (at least as far as I have noticed) the -- to my mind-- crucial scene in the book when the narrator finally tells Mrs. Danvers that she doesn't much care what the former Mrs. DeWinter would have done because SHE is Mrs. DeWinter now. This is after the "You should be the one who's dead" in Rebecca's room/shipwreck/Maxim's confession scenes.It may be that one version includes this, but I don't recall seeing it...
Anyway, Charles Dance?! Cannot BEGIN to compare to Jeremy Brett's portrayal. He was simply superb. I am so sorry this version is not available (except as I obtained it) on DVD.
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