MovieChat Forums > Wuthering Heights (1971) Discussion > Best Version of the Book I've Seen

Best Version of the Book I've Seen

posted 10 years ago by gingersnapper
5 replies | jump to latest

This version is the best I've seen, and I've seen almost all of them. Although it seems to get a lot of hate, it covers the first half of the story quite well. It captures the mood, the atmosphere, the personalities, and the conflict quite wonderfully. It definitely has the best Edgar and Heathcliff in my opinion. Cathy was a bit more subtle in her brattiness and strong-willed nature but she also did a fine job. As far as the actors being too old to play the characters at 12 to 16 years old, you'll just have to use your imagination. It also showed Hindley in a more interesting light.
Anyway, I disagree with all the bad reviews. When I watch Wuthering Heights this is the version I put in the DVD player. I do wish they had covered Hareton and Cathy's story too, though. It would have given a happier ending to a tragic story.
I know the R. Fiennes version did, but it was kind of hollow to me. Kind of rushed over their relationship.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] gingersnapper 10 years ago

No, I'm not kidding. It covers the first half of the story beautifully. I realize they ended it differently. But up until that point it was very true to the book. If you prefer the whole story then read the book again or watch the Ralphe Fiennes' version. In this case they changed the ending to wrap the movie up and show Heathcliff and Cathy reunited in death. I understand a lot of audiences feel cheated by that, but like I said, I thought this movie captured the mood, the essence of the 1st part of the story the best of any other version I've seen. And again, I know the actors were too old to play 12 and 15 yr olds, but I used my imagination for those scenes.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] gingersnapper 10 years ago

SPOILERS-FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK

Well, I can see where you're coming from. And perhaps you do know more about the whole theme of the novel than I do. What I do know is that I first saw this version when I was 14 years old, and after I watched it I was very sad about the tragedy of it all. I was upset about how Heathcliff's hatred, resentment and desire for revenge and Cathy's misguided desires and motives ruined their chances of being together and living happily ever after. So I got the book out from the library and was surprised to find how different it was from the film. But still, I watch this version and feel the same as I did when I first saw it. That is, it's a gloomy story full of doom, of "what ifs", of bad natures getting the best of people, ruining lives. Jealousy, hatred, revenge, passions and dark stormy natures are found throughout the movie. In the book Hindley does not succeed in shooting Heathcliff, no. But the movie changed that and used it as a means to cut out the 2nd part of the book, which is a weaker version with a happier ending than the 1st half of the book I suppose. But I like this version, a lot.
Not to say I don't like the 2nd half of the book. I do. Things came full circle and Hareton and Cathy overcame all the misery and Heathcliff let them go and reunited with his lost idol and everything was restored to its rightful place.

[–] grumpyoldguy1 8 years ago

Oh so nice to read comments from someone who "gets it." Thank you. And, for my part, I found the second half of the story to be rather insipid. It, and its characters pale in comparison to the story of Cathy and Heathcliff. If I had been filming this, particularly in 1970, I'd have lopped off "the rest of the story" as well. Cheers.