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Watch the Novel

For the benefit of those who would like to watch one of the various movies or TV series of Wuthering Heights, I have included this page examining those versions that I have personally seen. Apart from a general star rating which is my personal view, I try to avoid as much as possible general criticism of the version such as acting, direction, script, etc. since these are a matter of opinion and mine is no more preferable to anyone else. Instead I examine the objective aspects of the versions such as how much of the novel it covers, how accurate the characters and locations are, etc. I include an accuracy rating on the "I am Heathcliff" speech since it is one of the most famous and important parts of the book – it gives an idea of how accurate the adaptation is. "Coverage" means whether the adaptation covers only the Heathcliff/Catherine story or whether it includes Heathcliff's revenge on the younger generation.

Note: there are several versions of Wuthering Heights but I only review those I have seen.

As far as the star ratings are concerned, the more the better. StarStarStarStarStar


CONTENTS (click on boxes)
1939 Movie 1978 TV Series 1970 Movie 1992 Movie 1998 TV Series Personal Recommendations

The 1939 Movie (Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon)

Length: 100 mins

Link to Internet Movie Database

Director: William Wyler

Producer: Samuel Goldwyn

Main Actors: Laurence Olivier, Merle Oberon, David Niven, Flora Robson

Locations: StarStar A farmhouse at least but a little too Gothic and too spacious.

Characters: Star Heathcliff too handsome and well spoken ― he was supposed to be far less attractive than Edgar; Isabella is as dark as Catherine when she is supposed to be a contrasting blonde; Edgar also dark-haired; Ellen too old; Joseph too pleasant; few Yorkshire accents.

"I am Heathcliff" Speech: StarStarStar

Coverage: Single generation

Film Locations: Janss Conejo Ranch, Thousand Oaks, California, USA

My Rating: StarStar
I'm sorry, this may be a great love story and wonderful film in itself but, as an adaptation of Wuthering Heights, it is very poor. The accuracy is dreadful (the titles even say "Emily Bronté" rather than "Brontë" for heavens sake!), the characters are almost unrecognisable and the setting a century and a half out. Enjoy it as a romance but if you watch it as a portrayal of the book, you will be disappointed.

 

Opening titles Wuthering Heights Heathcliff and Catherine

 

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The 1970 Movie (Timothy Dalton and Anna Calder-Marshall)

Length: 100 mins

Link to Internet Movie Database

Director: Robert Fuest

Producer: Samuel Arkoff and James Nicholson

Main Actors: Timothy Dalton, Anna Calder-Marshall, Judy Cornwell, Julian Glover, Ian Ogilvy

Locations: StarStarStar Star Wuthering Heights is accurately shown as a large farmhouse, very close to the book (although the main room is still single-storeyed.

Characters: StarStarStar Generally good with Ellen shown as a teenager when Heathcliff arrives, a rare accuracy in Wuthering Heights adaptations. Frances is a little too sturdy and Isabella is not blonde.

"I am Heathcliff" Speech: Star

Coverage: Single generation

Film Locations: Unidentified farmhouse in West Yorkshire (Wuthering Heights); Weston Hall, Otley, West Yorkshire (Thrushcross Grange); Brimham Rocks, Summerbridge, North Yorkshire (Penistone Crags)

My Rating: StarStar
The fact that it only covers the single generation rather than the whole story, and the poor coverage of the important speeches, reduces the rating for this version. There is no Lockwood and consequently no ghost at the window, an iconic moment.

 

Opening titles Wuthering Heights Heathcliff and Catherine

 

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The 1978 TV SERIES (KEN HUTCHISON and KAY ADSHEAD)

Length: 255 mins

Link to Internet Movie Database

Director: Peter Hammond

Producer: Jonathan Powell

Main Actors: Ken Hutchison, Kay Adshead, John Duttine, Cathryn Harrison, Andrew Burleigh

Locations: StarStarStarStar A proper farmhouse, accurate even down to the carved porch and double height main room although rather short on outbuildings.

Characters: StarStarStar Generally resemble the book descriptions closely but seem weak at times: Joseph is not quite nasty enough, Cathy, at the beginning, not as reserved and unfriendly as the novel. Catherine (the mother) is also too old. Some of the acting, especially the children, is poor.

"I am Heathcliff" Speech: StarStarStarStarStar

Coverage: Both generations

Film Locations:

My Rating: StarStar This is without a doubt the most accurate depiction of the novel, following the novel almost line by line. This is thanks in part to the long running time (at twice that of the others) but it is let down a little by the production values which often look clearly studio-bound and relying on poor special effects.

 

Opening titles Wuthering Heights Heathcliff and Catherine

 

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The 1992 Movie (Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche)

Length: 102 mins

Link to Internet Movie Database

Director: Peter Kosminsky

Producer: Mary Selway

Main Actors: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Sophie Ward, Janet McTeer, Simon Shepherd

Locations: StarStar Wuthering Heights is more like a gothic mansion than a farmhouse and stands alone, not with other farm buildings. The interior is rather darker than it should be although the 'house' (main room) is at least the full double height.

Characters: StarStar Some poor characterisation. Juliette Binoche plays both Catherines although there is supposed to be no similarity apart from their eyes; Isabella is a brunette rather than a blonde; Ellen is not stout enough. Lack of Yorkshire accents in main characters.

"I am Heathcliff" Speech: StarStarStar

Coverage: Both generations

Film Locations: Aysgarth Falls, North Yorkshire; Broughton Hall, Broughton, Skipton, West Yorkshire (Thrushcross Grange); East Riddlesdon Hall, Keighley, West Yorkshire; Grassington, North Yorkshire (Wuthering Heights); Malham Cove, North Yorkshire; Malham Rocks, North Yorkshire; Shibden Hall, Halifax, West Yorkshire; Yorkshire Moors
Note: the building used for Wuthering Heights was specially constructed for the film and does not exist.

My Rating: StarStarStar
Loses out on some of the accuracy (see Locations and Characters above) but is a reasonable attempt at the novel and is not as bad as the critics suggest. Great atmospheric music from Ryuichi Sakamoto.

 

Opening titles Wuthering Heights Heathcliff and Catherine

 

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The 1998 TV Series (Robert Cavanah and Orla Brady

Length: 113 mins

Link to Internet Movie Database

Director: David Skynner

Producer: Louise Berridge

Main Actors: Robert Cavanah, Orla Brady, Crispen Bonham-Carter, Ian Shaw, Ken Kitson

Locations: StarStarStar Wuthering Heights is a realistic-looking farmhouse although a little small.

Characters: StarStarStar Generally accurate physical appearances although Frances seems a little strong and Hareton is not quite right. Many characters have some Yorkshire accent.

"I am Heathcliff" Speech: StarStar

Coverage: Both generations

Film Locations:

My Rating: StarStarStarStar
A little longer than the average movie, this means it can follow the full story without cutting back the details. My favourite of the versions I have watched, quite accurate to the book and well made.

 

Opening titles Wuthering Heights Heathcliff and Catherine

 

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Personal Recommendations

Below I list my recommendations on which of the adaptations are the best, both as the most accurate representation (fairly objective) and as my personal favourites (which is obviously quite subjective). For the latter list, I always keep in mind that it is meant to be Wuthering Heights so it is not necessarily the best films per se, but the best versions of the book. That is why the highly rated 1939 version, great film as it may be, comes low on the list.

Most Accurate   Most Enjoyable
1978 (Hutchison/Adshead)
1st
1998 (Cavanah/Brady)
1998 (Cavanah/Brady)
2nd
1992 (Fiennes/Binoche)
1992 (Fiennes/Binoche)
3rd
1939 (Olivier/Oberon)
1970 (Dalton/Calder-Marshall)
4th
1978 (Hutchison/Adshead)
1939 (Olivier/Oberon)
5th
1970 (Dalton/Calder-Marshall)

 

 

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