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kst3 — 11 years ago(February 06, 2015 07:02 PM)
I've always found Heathcliff to be an incarnation of the devil. Katherine is self-centered and not all that sympathetic. "Wuthering Heights" is still great literature in spite of, and in embracement of, these major character flaws. Those flaws practically are the story. The mores of English high society of the time merely serve to hone the points of those flaws. It may be unpleasant, but it is compelling.
Olivier learned movie acting here. Merle Oberon is adequate, as always. My problem with "Wuthering Heights" is that I always think of Monty Python doing it in semaphore with Katherine flagging "Heathcliff" across the moors and Heathcliff flagging "Katherine" back. It's silly, but makes my present viewing of the this version even more entertaining.
This fictional world of Emily Bronte and the real world of February 27, 2007 are as far removed as the real world and movies themselves. Seen as an effort in its time, this movie is quite moving. But it does take effort to see it in that fashion. Second viewings sometimes alter one's perception dramatically. Perchance this will happen for you. -
mdonln — 11 years ago(February 10, 2015 02:26 AM)
I agree with these comments. Wuthering Heights is one of those movies Ive always heard about: it's really good; it's a classic; a must see; blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Well, I saw this masterpiece and I am not impressed.
I dont like the story, the characters, the dark tone, the dim lighting, the scenery, the way the story is presented; theres nothing I like about the move at all. While I have enjoyed the lead actors, Olivier, Oberon, and Niven, in other projects, in this movie they get on my nerves most of the time.
I understand some people enjoy and even love this movie but I dont get what all the hoopla is about. Apparently, the actors didnt enjoy making the movie (though Oliver retroactively said he learned a lot about movie acting) and when released, the movie was not well received. I dont get it. How was this movie nominated for a Best Movie Oscar?
Im particularly annoyed with how the story is described. Supposedly, its about a star-crossed romance. What?! Romance; star-crossed; no way! What Heathcliff and Cathy have is hardly a romance. Its the childhood folly and escapism of two emotionally stunted characters that grows into adult obsession and dysfunction.
There arent any outside forces colluding and conspiring to keep them apart. Heathcliff and Cathy are to blame for their own unhappiness. In fact, their immaturity, selfishness, and vindictiveness not only ruin their lives, those traits allow them to use, abuse, and destroy the lives of the people around them too. So, who cares if these two end up together? They actually dont belong together, shouldnt be together, and, obviously, neither of them should be with anyone else either.
This is the kind of 'love' story that inspires stalkers, maniacs, and lunatics because it's not about love. What's portrayed is dark, disturbing behavior. The kind of love depicted is something most normal people can do without. -
TopFlight — 10 years ago(March 11, 2016 10:12 PM)
You're right about the story.
The novel is even worse; the lead characters are out-and-out horrible, narcissistic idiots who ruin their own lives and those of others.
I've read a lot of British and American novels of the 19th century, and this is the worst one I've ever read, and the only one I didn't enjoy reading.
If you have an e-reader you can download it for free as it's in public domain, if you want to see how they greatly sanitized the story for the movie. -
vgarci — 10 years ago(March 11, 2016 06:55 PM)
Since I'm late to the conversation, I don't expect to be taken seriously, but if MY stupid opinion counts a tinker's damn.I think think Kathy was a first class bitch.she knew exactly what she was doing and played it for all it was worth.
NoNo,never read the book, but if it IN THE LEAST follows the book, I get it. Kathy is still a first class bitch. -
TopFlight — 10 years ago(March 11, 2016 10:19 PM)
Both lead characters are horrible people in the book. Looking back on it, I'm surprised this book was required reading in my high school. It's far and away the worst "classic" English novel of the 19th century.