Olivier portrayed Heathcliff perfectly! Every film made afterwards was fruitless in finding a fitting actor for Heathcliff's character. He's exactly what Bronte created in her wonderfully crafted novel.
shareI think Olivier was great, this is my favorite of all of his films, and my favorite film version of Wuthering Heights, even though it ends halfway through the book.
If you ask me there aren't enough blue foods~ Mark Darcy
Oh my god yes! He is perfect...i was like "O____O" when I saw him in this movie. Loved the movie, loved the man :D I wish it was released on dvd..is it btw?
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I haven't seen Ralph Fienne's performance but I did see Timothy Dalton's and I feel Olivier's performance still stands as the best Heathcliff caught on film. It was a passionate performance, he gave his heart and soul, he WAS Heathcliff!
"You complete me"
Yes I loved him too. Did you like him more as a stable boy or a gentleman?? I think he just looked so gorgeous as a stable boy... such a darling, so cuddly (not in the sort of teddy bear sense but the more u want to hug him sense) Every line he says to Cathy on the crag is so passionate and meaningful. It makes me love him all the more.
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he was beautiful
best heathcliff performance yet.
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Ralph Fiennes is an excellent Heathcliff, and that version is an intelligent, well acted presentation of the full novel. But it's not the sumptuous romance that the 1939 film is. Fiennes gives us Healthcliff as a brooder, a loner, a twisted man whose one touch of humanity, his love for Kathy, is corrupted by bitterness & brutality. Olivier's Heathcliff, in contrast, is noble: his thirst for vengeance seems justified, not cruel; his adoration of Kathy decent, not selfish. He is heroic, stunningly handsome, and aristocratic even as a stable boy. While the Fiennes version is more faithfull to the letter of the story, the Wyler version captures and even expands the spirit of Bronte's wildly passionate work. Its commitment to the emotions of the lovers forces you to take the movie, melodrama & all, on its own terms.
It is more than a filmed adaption. It stands on its own as Hollywood's greatest romance.
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I can't say much about the other versions, or the book, but Olivier was absolutely gorgeous here; he puts most of today's male actors to shame.
shareOlivier defined the role. I enjoyed the other versions, but in my opinion, this one with Olivier and Oberon was the best.
shareI agree totally. Seems kinda creepy to be swooning over a dead guy, but what can I say...
shareI agree, no actor cast as Heathcliff has ever (or very likely WILL ever) topped Olivier's performance as Heathcliff. This was one of, if not THE best of his work. His acting is impeccable, as he portrays so much passion and creates a character that the audience can truly empathize with- even when he is committing his most ruthless and vengeful acts- and shows that even the hardened-aristocratic Heathcliff is just a shunned, hurt boy on the inside who's only real wish is to be with Cathy.
A bit mushy put in those terms, but still utterly romantic...
Laurence Olivier was great as Heathcliff. Merle Oberon was fantastic as Cathy also. The death scene was masterful as were the scenes between Heathcliff and Cathy, especially considering that Oberon and Olivier didn't get along at all on set.
shareI meant as were ALL the scenes!
share Laurence was incredibly charming and handsome in this movie!
Normally, I love Laurence Olivier, but I really didn't like his Heathcliff. Nor did I like Merle Oberon's Cathy. I love the book and I felt that their portrayals were radically different, and didn't do justice to the complex characters of the book. I find the characters in the novel pretty unlikable, but so achingly human that to see them any other way seems shallow and wrong.
I just watched this film for the first time and, I must say, I'm a bit disappointed. I knew that it ended after Cathy's death, so I was prepared for that, but I was not prepared for the radically different tone and characterizations. I was really hoping I would like this since I've heard so many good things about it and waited so long for a chance to see it. Oh well.
(BTW, I do agree that Olivier was utterly gorgeous in this! :D )
Laurence Olivier was amazing in Wuthering Heights! I honestly cannot picture another actor being able to portray Heathcliff better than him. He was literally made for that role and watching the movie it really shows!
Laurence Olivier is a seriously talented actor and gorgeous might I add! I mean him as Heathcliff was perfect! I haven't seen the other versions of Wuthering Heights but still for me when I imagine or picture Heathcliff, I see Laurence Olivier. I can't imagine Heathcliff looking any other way, acting any other way, or so on.
I don't think I ever really appreciated or knew too much about Laurence Olivier till I watched him as Heathcliff. Now though I believe he was and is one of the greatest actors of all time. I really cannot see Heathcliff any other way or played by any other actor. Olivier made this role his thats for sure.
Cold Mountain~ Inman: "I...came...back."
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Watched the film, read the book, listened the song. All within two days. All because of Laurence Olivier. Hence, I do agree: Olivier is the perfect screen-Heathcliff.
shareLarry is Heathcliff!
I love the passionate gipsy boy as well as the dashing gentleman :D
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Excuse my English, I was born in a galaxy far, far away
Olivier was a superb actor but I just don't see him as Heathcliff
Really like Dalton as Heathcliff...
A young Christopher Lee would be the perfect Heathcliff!
Not for me. He's decent. Most of the time overacting BUT he was tall, charismatic and sooooo handsome. I liked the 1992 version of the character better. A man destroyed by love and guided by his hatred, greed and cruelty.
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