Not in the Book
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Musical_Gal_14 — 20 years ago(August 26, 2005 08:32 AM)
yes, i agree. after seeing other versions and reading the book, this version strays the most from the original plot line. I thought the one with Ralph Fiennes was a very good adaptation.
thanks for clearing that up. -
depphead12 — 20 years ago(October 14, 2005 01:09 PM)
Hi folks,
I too adore Wuthering Heights. Perhaps I can clear this up a bit. I just went and looked at the scene where Heathcliff has Isabella pinned up against a tree at the Heights. He forces himself on her, but then she becomes very turned on by him, which is why he asks her" Do you fancy a tumble, then ? " As most of you know a "tumble" is British slang for having sex, making love, going to bed, etc. Isabella, being the naif that she is says "What is that ? " And to this he asks, "Do you want it here or in bed? " I do not believe Timothy's lines are in the book. These are more modern colloquialisms and were not said in the middle 1800s as far as I know.
As to all of these movie versions of Wuthering Heights not following the book. There are around 6 versions of this that I know of and of course none of them follow the plot absolutely exactly. But for me this has never been a problem. A book is a book and a movie is a movie. Two entirely different mediums. It's apples and oranges, both wonderful, both entirely different. We all know by now that if you want literary accuracy, read the book, if you want to experience the essence of the book in a new way with artistic license see the movie. But once again they are both lovely, just different.
As to Dalton, I find him to be quite unusual in his stiking looks and deep textured, well modulated voice. He is quite unique. And he is totally virile. In Scarlett I liked him better than Clark Gable. Timothy is about the most masculine presence I have ever seen on screen. I have never felt that a certain actor was evocative of an animal, but to me Timothy is nothing so much as one of the big cats, such as a black panther, with his slightly upward slanting green eyes, his grace,his sleak body, tall(6'2")and slender. And the athleticism he displayed in such films as Living Daylights and License to Kill was admirable. He was keen to do as much as was safely possible without the chance of getting killed.
One more thing not to miss for a Dalton fan is the British series, Jane Eyre, done in 1982. It was a huge hit in the UK and is as fresh and interesting to watch today. The script is excellent. This adaptation of the novel has a depth and power that I have not found in the other movies. And I believe there are at least 6 of them. Timothy is extraordinarily handsome in this. I know, I know, Rochester is not supposed to be handsome. Once again the poetic license of film making. But I think that after you see him in this you will never see anyone else in the role
To close, yes Musical Gal, the scene with Isabella against the tree is powerfully sexy. It gets to me too. And his face is so handsome in it.
I hope my offering to this discussion is helpful, interesting or what ever.
Anyone wanting to chat about Timothy's career, feel free to write me at mreason12@earthlink.net
Cheers,
Michelle -
gemichus — 20 years ago(December 10, 2005 01:49 AM)
Ive read the book for two hundred times,(it's my favourite one) and the words that you're asking for doesn't appear but in the way that Timothy Dalton say them and say EVERYHING in this movie I'd like that they'd be in the book.
I recognise that perhaps the movie isn't an oscar-winning-one but if I EVER find anyone that looks or talks like Dalton in this one I'll cry Heathcliff!! Here you are your Catherine!!
P.S.: You girls, don't you think that Heathcliff is hotter and more handsome than Edgar, and Catherine was an stupid one for not marrying him??????????? -
ltldog2 — 20 years ago(January 03, 2006 08:18 PM)
Any woman who would marry a man because they are "hotter and more handsome" than other men are just setting themselves up for disaster! I've dated a Heathcliff (dark, mysterious, passionate, urgent) and an Edgar (safe, comfortable, predictable, respectable). I married the Edgar and I've never regretted it! Drama may seem great when you're young and romantic, but it's hardly what makes a stable marriage. The problem with all "Heathcliffs" is that everything is always about them and it always has to be dramatic. I couldn't hardly go to the movies with my "Heathcliff" without him almost starting a fight with some guy who maybe was looking at me. I could hardly see Heathcliff forgetting the demons of his past and have a normal satisfying life with Cathy. Now, it may sound like I've thought WAY too much about this, and I guess I have. The problem with Cathy (and myself!) is that you always look back and wonder what things would have been like with the other person. Cathy's problem was that she didn't see the good thing right in front of her and her head was in the clouds, and look what it did to everyone around her! Take it from meit's far better to leave your "Heathcliffs" in your dating years and marry an "Edgar". All you have to do is read books like Wuthering Heights and The Age of Innocence to go back to that "dramatic world" now and then. s
"Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking!" -
Kaidt — 20 years ago(February 21, 2006 08:47 PM)
Yeah but everyone's different, and there is no "perfect" type of man that would apply to all women. I dated an "Edgar" and it made me void of a personality, and miserable for about 2 years! I think it depends on the woman in question, and definately in Cathy's case, I think she should have married dear Heathcliff because it's implied continually that they're soul mates, and all that exessive romantic stuff, and they're so similar, and they were so happy together! But Edgar turned out to be a pretty good companion for her too. She's pretty versatile actually. But in terms of Heathcliff not being able to give up his problems for Cathy I don't think we should chose our partners on terms of what's easiest! But then I was always a bit of a Heathcliff. My boyfriend is definately my Cathy! (Only much more intelligent.)
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rmgrinch — 18 years ago(May 07, 2007 06:10 PM)
I have seen the 1939 version of WH many, many times. I saw it when I was in college and was blown away by its intensity. Then I saw the 1992 version on television - I watched it 3 times in a row. My heart was pounding, I could barely breathe - it was amazing! (I had to watch it 3 times because I was crying so hard when Cathy and Heathcliff died I missed a lot of dialogue). The music was so haunting - I finally found a copy of the soundtrack last year and play it at least 1x/week.
I am trying to rent a copy of the 1970 version so I can see what this version offers. I love Timothy Dalton so I my be biased. I did see the scene where he and Cathy kiss - ooooooo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz8awAmGoSc&mode=related&search=
I'm looking forward to the rest of the movie!
I have a question - which version has the most physical contact between Cathy and Heathcliff? In Charlotte Bronte's time, physical attraction, sexual tension and couplings were all present in life but not written about like it is today.
So what do you think?
Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. H.L. Mencken -
grumpyoldguy1 — 19 years ago(October 29, 2006 11:37 PM)
This line is most definitely NOT in the book. Heathcliff is speaking to Isabella and just prior to this he says, "Do you fancy a tumble?" There is much from each film version of this story that is not "in the book," but is supplied by the writer of the screenplay to answer unanswered questions, or simply to keep things moving along. Also not "in the book," but addressed in this version is the question of paternity of Cathy's child. "He's waiting to see the colour of its eyes," is Joseph's remark to Heathcliff about Edgar's reaction to Cathy's pregnancy. It was not possible to address such matters as directly in Emily Bronte's day and age. If we were to take the novel at face value (as well as the 1939 film version), we would be led to believe that Cathy and Heathcliff's love was not physical at all. Which makes it hard to understand the serious obsession they shared.
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viamber — 17 years ago(February 25, 2009 03:12 PM)
Another thing not in the book was Mrs. Earnshaw's comments to her husband when he returns home with "Heathcliff." She implies that he was catting around ("that's not all you found, I bet" she says when he says he found the child) and then states that Heathcliff may already be Cathy and Hindley's brother!!! (when he says "go play and treat him like your brother) Wow! And what about Heathcliff smearing his filthy hands all over Cathy's face after she comes back from the Linton's all high and mighty? He was mildly sadistic, eh? And that intense passion between them on the moors..he's angry that she's married Edgar and they are seeing each other alone for the first time. It looks like they are going to kiss and then he throws her down to the ground!! Is that when they consummated their love? I enjoyed this movie version because Cathy was innocent and naive in her feelings for Heathcliff. It felt very platonic as they were growing up. A very powerful, loving friendship. That's what made it more "real" to metheir scenes were visceral!! When he sneaks up to see her in her bedroom when she's in bed pregnant! Wow! It was just so believable. The 2009 (or was it late 2008?) Masterpiece Classic version was not believable. That "Cathy" was too seductive and impish. The 1992 version with Fiennes and Binoche, same thing. Binoche was too giggly and too sexual. There was no chemistry between either of these four actors. I cried my eyes out at the end of this one. Something about his crawling up the hill from her gravesite, following her. Then being reunited. THAT is romance.