This is the only Hitchcock movie that won an Academy Award for Best Movie, preceeding Citizen Kane by one year. There is much in Rebecca reminiscent of Kane--from the outstanding opening black and white cinematography of the tracking shot of Manderley to the final shot of the embroidered pillow surrounded by flames.
The Academy snubbed Hitchcock himself, as they never did award the all-time best director the top prize for himself. Hitchcock's influence is demonstrated throughout the unfolding of the film. As in many of his films, your initial assumptions will likely prove wrong.
Laurence Olivier plays a wealthy man haunted by the death of his first wife, while Joan Fontaine plays an "ordinary" young woman who becomes the second Mrs. de Winter. Fontaine's character obviously loves her husband but feels out of place in the vast mansion, especially when the sinister and strange Mrs. Danvers appears.
Rebecca holds up well with age. The characters are memorable and the subtle Hitchcockian twists are riveting. Renting this classic will be much more worthwhile than watching 99% of the more current fare available.
The Academy snubbed Hitchcock himself, as they never did award the all-time best director the top prize for himself. Hitchcock's influence is demonstrated throughout the unfolding of the film. As in many of his films, your initial assumptions will likely prove wrong.
Laurence Olivier plays a wealthy man haunted by the death of his first wife, while Joan Fontaine plays an "ordinary" young woman who becomes the second Mrs. de Winter. Fontaine's character obviously loves her husband but feels out of place in the vast mansion, especially when the sinister and strange Mrs. Danvers appears.
Rebecca holds up well with age. The characters are memorable and the subtle Hitchcockian twists are riveting. Renting this classic will be much more worthwhile than watching 99% of the more current fare available.