Rebecca

I thoroughly enjoyed this 1997 version of "Rebecca", which recently aired uncut on PBS. Charles Dance played Max DeWinter brilliantly. The character he portrays is a gentleman who seems above the fray but can explode with raw emotion on a moment's notice. Something is clearly eating away at him. Emilia Fox, the young woman he falls in love with and marries, is perfect - a bit shy but surprisingly mature. The background photography is superb in both locations: Monte Carlo, where they meet, and on the coast of Cornwall, the site of Max's magnificent estate. We are introduced to Mrs. Danvers, played by Diana Rigg, who makes the new Mrs. DeWinter as uncomfortable as she could possibly be. I didn't care much for the reinvention of Mrs. Danvers' character in this movie. She cannot let go of the memory of Maxim's first wife but in this movie, her preference has added motivation. Geraldine James, an excellent actor, is Max's sister. I remember her in The Jewel in the Crown, a Masterpiece Theatre show from the 1980's. (More recently she appeared in the Downton Abbey movie as Queen Mary.) Faye Dunaway, a Hollywood leading lady, has a role as the gossip-prone Mrs. Van Hopper, who employed Rebecca as a companion and has delusions of winning over Max. The character of the former Mrs. DeWinter and the movie mystery eventually converge and the pace picks up. We encounter some additional characters as the movie takes some interesting twists and turns that will entertain the viewer, even if you've seen previous versions of Daphne duMaurier's novel. All in all, a highly entertaining and beautiful movie.

This is a terrific adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's 1938 novel. The period detail, costume and scenery are all spot-on, and the acting is good, especially among the principals. Generally, this television version is more faithful to the book, both in spirit and in plot, than the 1940 Hitchcock version with Laurence Oliver and Joan Fontaine. I found Charles Dance to be a much more believable Maxim de Winter, with some definite sex appeal that was lacking in Olivier's portrayal. Emilia Fox was perfectly charming as the 2nd Mrs. de Winter, managing to come across as shy and unsure of herself without appearing too passive or neurotic. As has been stated in other reviews, the romance between the two was far more believable and realistic in this version.

Diana Rigg gives quite a different portrayal of the creepy Mrs. Danvers than Judith Anderson did, and I found Rigg's more humane and pathetic (although still sinister) housekeeper more three-dimensional. The supporting characters are also good, and I even enjoyed Jonathan Cake's scenery-chewing portrayal of Jack Favell.

All in all, a great effort, well worth watching.

Oh I wish I were Emilia Fox. Charles Dance as Maxim De Winter captured my heart- I will dream of him as he romanced this young lady with love and romance. I adore his moments of sensitivity towards his blossom. The manner in which he glances at his bewildered beauty brings tears of joy to my wounded heart. As a mere example when Maxim states:''of course I love your hair.'' Mrs De Winter smiles as if a thousand bars of gold were placed into her hands. To find a romance with such wonder would be my dream- this wonderful portrayal of acting is solidified by wonderful acting from all the cast.The music is complements the darling movement of the film. An amazing cast with the wonderful Faye Dunaway of whom as usual acted with such high vivaciousness.

First of all, I enjoyed the old classic version of the 1940s REBECCA with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine and I have seen it over 100 times in my lifetime. However, I find myself very captivated by this 1997 version by Masterpiece Theatre and with its great actors, the assemble cast, the music score, the filming location and the more detailed storyline, which is simply superb and very well done. I believe the 1997 version is the best version of Rebecca, second to the book. Further, I have seen ALL the versions of Rebecca and have read the book by Daphne Du Maurier and can actually comment in good faith that this is simply the best adaptation with more details about the characters that you don't see in the 1940s version.

With this superb 1997 adaptation, you are able to see a more deeper version of both Max and the second Mrs. DeWinter's characters played by Charles Dance and Emilia Fox. You see that they are in love in this version whereas in the Hitchcock version, it's not so obvious. You also get a better sense of Mrs. Danvers' character who you almost feel sorry for in this adaptation. Additionally, you'll see a few glimpses of what the beautiful Rebecca might look like.

I believe this 1997 version of Rebecca stands alone as a great love story and great mystery that will keep you captivated.

I enjoyed this version very much, the actors in the main roles were very good. I especially liked the young Emilia Fox as the new Mrs DeWinter. She started out as the shy young girl and became the strong young wife fighting for her love. Charles Dance was very well cast as Maxim, not as stuffy as Olivier. I found Diana Rigg a bit over the top, but the supporting cast were very good, especially Faye Dunaway. The locations and overall look of the show was very pleasing to the eye. I liked this longer , more adult version as it covered the whole story and was very true to the novel. But, like Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice I will always now and again go back and watch the original black and white versions.