I actually think that Isabella was the saddest character. She was so innocent and truly loved Heathcliff and she was never more to him than a pawn.
That scene where she says if only he would look at her once with his heart, he would see the real her, just breaks my heart everytime.
While Edgar is also a sad and somewhat innocent victim, the horrible life sentence that Isabella receives is really awful.
What do y'all think? :)
Sure, definitely. This was a really well made film and still engaging more than 70 years after its release. But I do think it's dated and probably oversimplifies the novel. Cathy is such a bitch, and the film makes her reasons for not choosing Heathcliff, and continually rejecting him, seem very superficial.
shareyes, I agree, poor Isabella!
at the begining of the film I couldn't believe she was that old woman who looked like a servant, not like the wife.
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Excuse my English, I was born in a galaxy far, far away
Too many sad scenes to pick a standout, IMO, but I will say this one is near the top, and Geraldine Fitzgerald's performance never ceases to astound me--she has so few scenes, but her interpretation of the character is very fleshed out and is the only one that doesn't seem the slightest bit "stagey." Mind you, there isn't a sub par performance in this picture, but hers is thoroughly modern. I watched this film again tonight and thought for the dozenth time, that woman's so real!
shareYou think it's sad in this movie...try the book. In the movie, Heathcliff's treatment of Isabella seems to be no more than neglect and indifference, with her pain coming from the realization that he never loved her.
In the book, however, where Heathcliff's more of a villain and less of a brooding Byronic sort, Heathcliff flat-out abuses her, taking out his hatred of Edgar and the Linton family on her. The 1992 Ralph Fiennes version doesn't shy away from this, showing Isabella with a black eye and split lip.
What's more, in a BBC version that was shown on PBS sometime in the late nineties/early 00s, Heathcliff is shown RAPING Isabella on their wedding night.
Not that this makes the 1939 movie any easier on Isabella, but man...
Yes, that line, and I think it was "if only you'd look deeper" was so touchingly delivered by Geraldine Fitzgerald.
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I had the pleasure of meeting Geraldine Fitzgerald st a 50th anniversary showing of Wuthering Heights here in Michigan (hosted by AMC). She was in her seventies and still a lovely lady. And gracious enough to chat with me for a while. And I concur that the scene discussed above was not only the saddest but possibly the most "real" scene in the film. A fine actress and a "class act."
shareThank you for sharing that story. That must have been a rare privilege, indeed.
shareWith apologies to my fellow "Windies", I truly believe that the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress should have gone to Miss Fitzgerald.
I'm sorry, but IMHO, Hattie McDaniel's performance seems today to be dated and stereotyped, while Geraldine's is as fresh today as it was in 1939.
That's my opinion.
An amazing performance, such a hopeless desire but not for one moment does it wane in that heartbreaking scene. Poor Isabella.
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