Review of Wuthering Heights

Introduction

Once there was a classic book with layers of meaning a tragic hero and heroine and dark despair leavened by an optimistic ending. Then along came Hollywood shredded the book and gave only half the story to an unsuspecting public.
Heathcliff is a gypsy boy bought home by Mr Earnshaw after a trip to Liverpool. He has found him starving and despite his servants reservations brings him to live in the house with his own children. After Earnshaw dies his son Hindley is cruel to Heathcliff and makes him live in the stables But Heathcliff vows revenge and his love for Kathy his adopted sister sustains him through the torment. But Kathy, although she loves Heathcliff, is drawn to the warmth and comfort of Thrushcross Grange; she knows that Heathcliff will never be able to offer this life to her. Instead she marries Edgar Linton and Heathcliff storms off into the night. When he returns he gradually takes his revenge on the Earnshaws and Lintons but his great love for Kathy remains.

Video

Moaning time again surely just a little spit and polish could have been found for what is considered to be a classic. It is an adequate but not spectacular picture which could have been so much better but again this is yet another budget release.

Audio

The music is by Alfred Newman who was a prolific composer throughout his long and distinguished career.

The script based of course on the dialogue of Emily Bronte`s novel is sparing and expressive. I`ve never liked Kathy as a character, she whines too much. In this film however Merle Oberon portrays her with a passion and honesty that strikes a chill into the soul. David Niven is perfect as the bewildered Edgar Linton that cannot feel this kind of passion and does not see the danger. Olivier as the posters always seem to say these days IS Heathcliff. I cannot begin to imagine what Cliff Richard was like in the musical and I don`t want to. Olivier brings all his classical training but with filmic sensibilities He is passionate, despairing and quite frankly not particularly loveable but neither is Kathy. That seems to be the point-their love is selfish and consuming and has no place among human sensibilities.

Features

Another missed opportunity to make this an event rather than slipping into the bargain disks. Press repeat as I make feeble plea for better care of classic films.

Conclusion

As an interpretation of a novel this film falls somewhat short of expectations but only if you feel that the book is a sacred text that should not be altered. This film is an `impression` of the book incorporating the passion and drama and leaving out the mundane housekeeping of life itself. The actors throw themselves wholeheartedly into roles that taken out of context sound ridiculous The lead characters are completely selfish and driven by their own desires and in Kathy`s case she is an inveterate snob who destroys herself, but that`s just my opinion it is a wonderful film full of vigour. Yes the sets look dated, yes it is in black and white but despite remakes and musicals, gasp, it has not been bettered. If anyone is looking for a challenge; make a film that makes you cry for characters who bring about their own doom by their own folly.

As this copy is slightly better than the dismal reproductions on TV then it is worth a purchase but it is another missed opportunity to produce a high quality disc with contextual bonus features.