Orson Welles the best Rochester? - Jane Eyre (1944) Discussion

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] chasing_cars 18 years ago

i agree! Orson Wells was perfect for the role of Rochester.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] xanadu404 17 years ago

For me there is no other Edward Rochester. Ever since I seen the movie as a girl I see Orson's face and hear his voice when I read the book. Loved him in this movie.

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[–] YoungSerling 17 years ago

I just saw Jane Eyre (1996) but Jane Eyre (1944) is far better and I still think that Orson Welles is the Best Rochester. He is magnificent in his role of Rochester.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you The Queen!"
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[–] delphii 16 years ago

Yet another vote for Welles as Rochester. I found William Hurt too boring, too moody and restrained. There was no fire or passion in him. It is like he did not understand the character.

Orson Welles is the standard bearer for me.

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[–] foton 16 years ago

I saw many fake rochesters ,,,They have tried realy hard But Mr Welles is the original "Rochester" Above competing with others :)

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] moviemusicfan 15 years ago

Timothy Dalton certainly played the role to the hilt in the longest and most faithful (in the screenplay) adaptation of the book. Unfortunately, that dramatization doesn't work so well for me in repeated viewings. For film I prefer intelligent interpretations rather than literal transcriptions of great novels, since the two media are so different. Though the 1944 adaptation condenses the story considerably, I feel it's more integrated as a film than the Timothy Dalton version. Besides, Orson Welles looks and sounds more like Rochester as I imagine him in the book--though I read the book before I saw any movie version of the story.

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[–] dr_mendoncacorreia 14 years ago

I'm not sure Orson Welles was the best cast for Rochester in 1944. I think my choice would have been James Mason: check, for instance, http://www.classicmoviefavorites.com/mason/mason071.jpg.
In my humble opinion, the best Rochester ever on screen is Michael Jayston in "Jane Eyre" (1973).

João Pedro

"You're not turning to look after more moths, are you?..."

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[–] Forlorn_Rage 13 years ago

This confirms that I will not watch the movie, at least not anytime soon. Now I know that I won't be able to get James Mason out of my mind. He is my favourite actor and would've been PERFECT as Rochestor. Sad that it never happened.

The closest Mason would come would be in "The Seventh Veil," unfortunately the character is too oppressive and abusive and doesn't change much. Otherwise, would've been a great movie.

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[–] pt100 10 years ago

Don't rob yourself of the opportunity to see this film soon. I think you may change your mind when you see Welles's restrained, compelling performance. He's also quite sexy in a brooding sort of way, and the chemistry between him and Fontaine is remarkable to watch. Also, his voice is very deep, and I think it was more effective than Mason's would have been.

It is better to be kind than to be clever or good looking. -- Derek

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[–] manderstoke 8 years ago

I have to disagree with you. Nicholas does change and is the only one of Francesca's suitors who actually loves her. There is no evidence that Peter ever loved her and his statement, "What's the good of turning back the past" pretty well sums up his attitude. Max is so selfish and unconcerned that he doesn't want her to continue therapy. "I'm prepared to take the risk." Sorry Max, it's her risk, not yours. Max is also indifferent to the loss of her musical career, which is of utmost importance to her and her future life. It is only Nicholas who insists that she return to therapy, even though he assumes a consequence will be that he will lose her. It is Nicholas who puts her welfare ahead of everything. In the beginning of their relationship, he is selfish and possessive, while in denial of his true feelings for her. Well, think about it - he is her guardian and she is living under his roof, under his care. Are we talking scandal? But in the end, he puts her welfare above all else; it takes him awhile to get there, but he does.

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[–] AliciaHuberman59 14 years ago

Welles owns the role, and I agree it is the best performance of his career.

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[–] Marinas1212 13 years ago

Welles IS Mr. Rochester....the best of the rest only play him admirably.

Why wish for the moon when we can have the stars?

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[–] overhere-1 15 years ago

Yes, for some reason Welles took ownership of the role, now every actor has to compete with him.

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[–] viktik 15 years ago

He is very definitely the best ever in this role!! He is brilliant!! I have seen only one other version, and it doesn't come close to the original. This is one of those movies, like "Wuthering Heights," that I could NEVER get tired of:)

"I'm sure Nellie has some good qualities. On the way home, we'll see if we can think of some."

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[–] medeiros-7 14 years ago

Definitely YES! and they´re great couple with Joan Fontaine. Even I quite like Ruth Wilson as Jane, Toby Stephens (2006) and Timothy Dalton (1983) this is my favorite Jana Eyre ever. And mostly because of Orson Welles. :-)

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[–] rizdek 14 years ago

I only "read" (listened to the taped book) after watching a few versions...I now have 7 film versions of Jane Eyre. I like Stephens first, with Jayston a close second...sometimes even tied with Stephens. Usually Wilson's Jane wins me over to the Stephen's version.

Following more distantly is Dalton, then Hinds. Unfortunately I'm going against most other opinions here,* but I place Welles' portrayal along with Scott's and Hurt's. (My wife likes the Hurt version, not for Hurt, but for Gainsbourg's Jane.) For some reason, I just can't enjoy the Welles' version. There doesn't seem to be any "cleverness" to his part; Rochester's multidimensional personality doesn't come through...Welles' Rochester just seems angry. And, the whole tone is so dark. Now I recognize that the dark tone and his gruff no nonsense portrayal may have been what Bronte had in mind...but I still don't enjoy it as much. And I recognize the lack of cleverness/multidimensional personality is the problem with the writing and the directing, so I'm not criticizing Welles' acting ability.

*I realize some of these posts were made before the Stephen's version came out.

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] richard-III 13 years ago

"Welles' Rochester just seems angry. And, the whole tone is so dark"

I really disagree, Welles used some humour in it, the sort I was completely missing in the Timothy Dalton version. When reading 'Jane Eyre' I found Rochester had some balancing humoristic side within his gruffiness.

And the tone of the 1943 film was gothic-romantic, with some 19th century harsh realism.

"When there is no more room in the Oven,
the Bread will walk the Earth."

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Danusha_Goska 13 years ago

really nice photo of James Mason back there. Would have been cool to see him as Rochester.

I saw my bro as Rochester in a play ... he'll always be the REAL Rochester to me.

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] oldmotem 12 years ago

I have not seen any but this version so I cannot comment on others. Timothy Dalton seems to have been a good pick. Other versions with other actors I just don't know.

Welles was always controversial. I thought he shone in this one, but many disagree. With a voice like his he certainly could achieve a range of volume. He often seemed aloof and artificial. He probably was.

But I thought his role here was well done. And it was early enough that he still had the appearance of a leading man. Compare to Touch of Evil done many years later. Still a leading man, but far different. But also a great film.

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[–] chefjudy 9 years ago

there have been so many versions of Jane Eyre and some not very good. But that said, I think Orson Welles is the best Rochester, mostly because he was the first one I ever saw in that role. No one seems to remember that George C. Scott also played this part and he was actually very good, mostly because he seemed to be grouchy in real life, I think. Ciaran Hinds is a really good actor and I love him in so many other films, but not this one. I don't think he really had a feel for the material and indeed seemed bored by the whole thing. William Hurt did not have the depth needed for this role and brought no real emotion to his portrayal. Timothy Dalton and Toby Stephens were both basically ok as well. But for me none of them came close to Welles - he will own that character for me always.

the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist

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[–] LurkingFigure 9 years ago

I have seen the George C Scott version and he did well. But something about Welles captures me. I feel it was the role he was born to play.

__
Do everything in Love. I Corinthians 16:14 NIV

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[–] manderstoke 8 years ago

I think Welles was excellent as Mr. Rochester, but oh, how I would love to have seen James Mason in this role. He might have been a little too young (34 yrs.), but nobody could match him for sensuality, intensity, and he was drop dead gorgeous.

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[–] LurkingFigure 8 years ago

From North by Northwest? And Prince Valiant?

Insults are not necessary!
Do everything in Love. I Corinthians 16:14 NIV

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[–] manderstoke 8 years ago

I don't understand your examples. The relevant roles would be Mason in The Man in Grey, Fanny By Gaslight, The Wicked Lady, in short, movies he made in the 1940s.

Also, don't understand the admonition "Insults are not necessary!" What insults? Did I miss something here?

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[–] LurkingFigure 8 years ago

The insults thing is my signature, it appears on all my posts.
I mentioned those movies because those are the ones I am familiar with that a man named James Mason played in. I wanted to know if I was referring to the right actor.

Insults are not necessary!
Do everything in Love. I Corinthians 16:14 NIV

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[–] manderstoke 8 years ago

Yes, Mason was in the two films you mentioned, but they are far and away not among his best films. In my opinion, his best ones were made in UK and he was mostly "slumming" in Hollywood. Some of his better Hollywood films would include The Reckless Moment, 5 Fingers, Julius Caesar, A Star is Born, Pandora and the Flying Dutchman, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Verdict, Bigger Than Life, The Verdict, and The Deadly Affair. Mason was always excellent, but often played in films not worthy of his talents.

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[–] supergran 8 years ago

Yes, James Mason! And he was a Yorkshireman, to boot!

I wish his older films were shown more on TV. I definitely get the feeling I've missed out.

This is gently aimed at other posters, but I wish Welles wasn't referred to as the original Rochester. 1943 is another adaptation in a long line of Jane Eyre adaptations. According to some sources, there may have been at least a dozen silent films made, as well as the 1934 film with Colin Clive. Also, the novel first began to be adapted for the theatre during Charlotte Brontë's lifetime.

I don't say this to detract from Welles' performance, but to give some perspective.

If there aren't any skeletons in a man's closet, there's probably a Bertha in his attic.

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[–] manderstoke 8 years ago

I detect a Mason fan. It would be a pity if you have not seen his earlier films made in the 1940s in UK, when he was the super star and heart throb of British filmdom. My favorites are The Night Has Eyes, The Man in Grey, Fanny By Gaslight, The Wicked Lady, They Were Sisters, The Upturned Glass, and, of course, the fabulous The Seventh Veil. However, my all time favorite Mason film is Odd Man Out (also it was his favorite). I think he made a mistake by going to Hollywood, where American audiences just couldn't take to his complexity and dark screen persona. You are right, his films are seldom shown on TCM, except for that awful North By Northwest, which isn't even a Mason film. People who say this is their favorite Mason film obviously haven't seen many of his movies! Sadly, the only way to view most of his early films is either with Youtube or to buy the DVDs. Speaking of which, Network has released a superbly restored copy of The Night Has Eyes, one of my favorites, but you need an all region DVD player to watch it. Sorry to run on, but I am a huge fan of Mr. Mason and consider him the finest film actor of his generation.

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[–] wolflair-1 7 years ago

He also played an excellent Rommel. James Mason was a wonderful actor. And so was Orsen Wells in his younger days. I like Wells in "The Stranger" with Edgar G. Robinson.

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[–] necoleman 7 years ago

I am formerly known as HillieBoliday....Member since May 2006

It's so much fun to know someone is watching this the same time I am! "The Stranger" is also one of my favorites. Wells was splendid in that role.

It's appealing to see Wells during his slimmer days.

"OOhhhooo....I'M GON' TELL MAMA!"

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[–] wolflair-1 7 years ago

And I forgot Mason in "Lolita".

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[–] manderstoke 7 years ago

Shame on me. I forgot it also. One of Mason's finest and most nuanced performances.

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