MovieChat Forums > Wuthering Heights (1992) Discussion > Ralph Fiennes ISNT Heathcliff!

Ralph Fiennes ISNT Heathcliff!

posted 20 years ago by wer56
66 replies | jump to latest

People, what’s with you? Why do you call him perfect Heathcliff? Have you read the book? «He dashed his head against the knotted trunk; and, lifting up his eyes, howled, not like a man, but like a savage beast getting goaded to death with knives and spears. I observed several splashes of blood about the bark of the tree, and his hand and forehead were both stained; probably the scene I witnessed was a repetition of others acted during the night»
Can you imagine cool, brooding, laggard Fiennes dashing against the tree? Or calling for Catherine’s ghost through the window? I can’t! And probably Kosminsky couldn’t too, because these scenes weren’t included in the film.
I admit that in other movies Fiennes was excellent – I saw him in «English patient» and «Onegin» – but as Heathcliff he was miscast. Funny, but I prefer Cliff Richard’s performance in musical «Heathcliff». Have you seen this? A stunning thing.
In general, I’m not happy with Wuthering Heights adaptations. I’ve not yet seen convincing Cathy – only artificial Merle Oberon, irritating Anna Calder-Marshall and French Juliette Binoche in this movie. I think Helena Bonham-Carter would be much better as Cathy.

[–] ibjeannie 20 years ago

As a matter of fact, when they filmed Ralph acting that scene, he beat his head against the tree so hard, he bled. I can't think of any actor as intense and passionate as Ralph Fiennes. I can't say why they didn't keep this bloody heartwrenching performance in the film, but I can this, Ralph IS Heathcliff...and magnificently so!!

[–] Joely_Marr 20 years ago

I think Ralph Fiennes was absoloutely brilliant as Heathcliff. Shame they cut that scene out:- 'tis so powerful.

My only criticism of the film is that they didn't use the closing paragraph from the book in the narration at the end. Instead they used some tosh about his ghost walking the moors :(.

Whilst we're on the subject of adaptions, 'The Beach'? Blasphemous!!!!!!

[–] drewjoana 20 years ago

Ralph Fiennes was brilliant in Wuthering Heights and i understand that not everyone can think in the same way as i!!!
He is so perfect in every role that he takes-really!!!
This is one of my favourite films and i don´t care what other people say!!!

"Even though everything´s changed,some things don´t,I´m not going to lose you twice"

[–] sinunponi 20 years ago

He SO is Heathcliff. I've read the book about three times, and there's no-one else who could've played the part, except him. That's just the way it is.

Life is hell and then you die.

[–] Musical_Gal_14 20 years ago

The book was EXTREMELY boring for me, however this has got to be one of the best adaptations of a book to movie ever.

Sadly, however handsome Ralph Fiennes is in this movie, he is NOT Heathcliff. I think he needs more edge. Sometimes, in some scenes, you oculd really get him, but in others, you just couldn't believe it. And that long coat he wore near the beginning, such bad proportion for his body. And his hair was far too pretty.

However, he is a good actor, and not bad to look at, although not a believable Heathcliff. But he's not a likeable character anyway. . . .

<><
What could make a sweeter memory than sharing my first dance with you. . .

[–] Superstaa89 20 years ago

What Ralph Fiennes didn't do in the movie is not his fault- maybe they didn't shoot that particular scene. Fiennes was exactly how I pictured Heathcliff (and no, I did not see the movie then read the book). Yes,those particular scenes were very powerfull but just because they didn't have them in there doesn't mean Ralph Fiennes did a poor job of portaying Heathcliff.

-Kate B.

[–] queeny479 20 years ago

It seemed to me that this whole version of Wuthering Heights involved both major characters being more controled. I thought Ralph and Juliette were both wonderful because their performances complimented each others and fit in with the style the director had chosen. The point is that no director has ever really tried to make the characters the way they are in the book, because the way they are in the book is so unbridled and strange that only die-hard fans of the book would really appreciate it. So if you're going off of the book, no, Ralph Fiennes isn't the perfect literary Heathcliff. He plays the character differently. I've never seen any actor pull these characters off the way they are in the book, but as long as they retain the same sort of feel of the story and it's entertaining, I think it's fine. Overall, I think Ralph Fiennes did a wonderful job.

[–] wer56 20 years ago

I agree that Fiennes is a wonderful actor but it kills me when people say: "he is the perfect Heathcliff", "Emily Bronte herself would have chosen him" and like this. I think he was miscast. But he plays his hero (not Heathcliff) very well, I admit!

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[–] PennyLane1115 20 years ago

I cannot stand Ralph Fiennes because he is so creepy and his acting is always so stoic, but I thought he was the best I've seen him in this movie. He wasn't the greatest Heathcliff, but honestly no one could ever do the character justice. Emily Bronte wrote two such amazingly complex characters that no movie could ever do the book justice. I thought this adaptation was very good though. I like using the same actress for both Cathys and the narrator as Emily Bronte.

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[–] morgstress 19 years ago

I agree that Ralph Fiennes did an alright job as Heathcliff Lite, but I wish a studio would have the courage to make a film that's as dark as the book.

Personally, I think Clive Owen would make a fantastic Heathcliff. I just watched Closer last night, and he has the smoldering look and powerful physique I always envisioned while reading the book. More importantly, he shows that he can play a role with brutality. (Julia Roberts looked genuinely intimidated and even somewhat frightened in her scenes with him.) He could give the character an air of malevolence, unpredictability and danger... I admired that he didn't pull any punches with his Closer character to try to make him more appealing, and I would like to see him try the same with Heathcliff.

Ralph Fiennes just does not cut it for me in this role, for the same reason this adaptation as a whole didn't: not brutal enough. I'm not a fan of violence by any means, but I am a fan of the original novel and would like to see it done properly, even if some viewers might find that disturbing.

I'd also propose Rachel Weisz for the role of Cathy. If she were allowed to let loose, she could turn in a mean performance.

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[–] sekhmetlion 19 years ago

Totally Clive Owen. I was shopping for groceries and was thinking of him myself. Have not been able to find this Fiennes version yet; have watched Timothy Dalton version and lo! V. FUNNY. Does anyone else share the belief that the characters in this version were enough to induce coma? My goodness it was utterly dreadful.

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[–] valleriaquino 19 years ago

I'm not going to echo everyone's response but just say, simply, I don't agree. I'll also agree to disagree. lol.
Ralph Fiennes has an amazing intensity about him and that's the key about Heathcliff in general. He dominates the room, intimidates, and scares. The contrast is the equal amount of prescence with his passion with Catherine. It's easy to say so-so could do better, but is there a person alive today that even compares to level of intensity as an actor?

I'm almost eager to jump and say that Daniel Day Lewis would be an interesting choice as well as Clive Owen.

As far as Catherine? Helena Bonham-Carter is just too typical. Sorry, but she's known for those particular brand of heroines. I'd like to see someone who is a bit unexpected. I'd say Kate Winslet would be amazing, if you've seen Heavenly Creatures you'll know she has a really good range of character portrayals.

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[–] Catclock 19 years ago

OMG not Kate Winslet or HBC! They are far too 'southern'. (No offence to anyone intended - only way I could describe what I mean!). I love this book and film although Binoche's wavering french accent was really annoying. Remember where this film/story is set. Catherine needs more of a Northern twang to be anywhere near realistic.

:-)

"There's one thing worse than failure - Not trying."

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[–] jane-e-thompson 19 years ago

Slight and petite? Cathy? Are you for real? WISH everyone would get over this Kate Winslet carring too much weight, rah, rah, rah... Really BORING. Why not just get Keira Knightly to do it if you want a skinny 'English rose type'... Kate's got gusto and that's the most important thing.

[–] kgao5714 19 years ago

I always thought he'd make a good rochestor

[–] ada_miu 19 years ago

it's just a movie~

[–] mayonakaryoko 19 years ago

In regards to the Cliff Richard recording - would you happen to have it?

[–] eden_echo 19 years ago

My opinion is different from the original posters'. Ralph Fiennes IS Heathcliff, he is so very much Heathcliff it's not even funny. He played the part brilliantly and when I read the novel long before watching this movie, I pictured Ralph as Heathcliff, he was born to play this character.

As for the Catherine Lintons' in the adaptations, I've seen some good portrayels', but none yet that are convincing enough for me, though the actresses that played her were good but not good at the same time.

ANIMAL LOVERS UNITE

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] erdengel 19 years ago

*claps*

i read the book various times before i saw the movie, and always pictured Heathcliff to look the way Ralph Fiennes ended up looking - and this was before i even knew of his existance.
he brought all the passion and intensity to Heathcliff that no other actor (in my mind) could pull off.

now to find the perfect Cathy.

[–] Darthette 19 years ago

Ralph Fiennes is the Heathcliff i saw when i read the book. I read it long before this film, i only vaguely knew who Ralph Fiennes was until i discovered some time ago that he was Heatcliff in a film version.

If only he had been more brooding and passionate though. And had better hair, it looked so greasy and straight, it was horrible.

"Hey, STELLA!"

[–] averageandproudofit 19 years ago

I agree with everyone who said that Ralph was brilliant as Heathcliff. I definitely think so. Apparently, Ralph and Juliette Binoche were not happy with the film at all because studio executives wanted to palliate the "violence and duplicity" of the story. He bristled at the studio's "language of commerce: 'We've got to have a sex moment, we've got to have a screen kiss, it's got to have chemistry.' That's a very limited vocabulary."

Where did you hear about the head-banging scene?

_________

The owls are not what they seem.

[–] Darthette 18 years ago

Raplh is the best there is. However Heathcliff was such a mysterious character, we know little of what was going on in his mind. Fiennes had to do what he could with this caharacter, plus the film itself held back, I don't know the word, someone above said 'palliate' the film. Nothing I've seen or heard of has come close to capturing the essence of this book, and they are complex characters. Lets not blame the actors for that, because both Fiennes and Binoche are well established and capable. They had restrictions, and they had to adhere to them. Its not their fault - its the studio. This book is full of demonic passion, and studios exec's are only looking for a cash in. A so-so romance.

"Hey, STELLA!"

[–] sanniti 14 years ago

What was it with the hair? I hated his hair too. There were some head shots of him where I thought I was watching the film "The Last of the Mohicans" and had to shake myself back to the moors. But that's just me.

[–] weesleyisourking 18 years ago

I agree with you completely about Ralph being Heathcliff. I have yet to see the film, but I have seen so many of Ralph's films to know that his delivery of emotion is so thorough and powerful that 95% of the time he has you in tears. I just finished reading the book today, and I always thought of Heatcliff in the image of Ralph because Ralph just can be Heathcliff. He can slip into that tortured soul, and bring all of his inner troubles to life.

[–] basford 18 years ago

To be honest, I don't think he is really. I have read the book three times, and now I'm reading it again for a fourth time for my english university course. Personally, he just didn't fit my visual image of Heathcliff and IMO he took the character way too far. I'd much rather stick with the OLivier Heathcliff, while his Heathcliff is very toned down, he fits my visual image a lot more.

I'm England, that's all - Laurence Olivier

[–] MelodyNelson 18 years ago

I read the book so many times, studied it at the uni and so, that I had to buy other books, I have currently three books at the house.

I love Ralph Fiennes as Heathcliff, the problem it's that film is rubbish, he's not meant to be a likeable character, never saw a good adapation of the book by the way, like someone already said it's Heathcliff light, I hope someone would have the guts to show the darkeness of the real Heathcliff, and showing the scenes of domestic violence would help people stop thinking of Heathcliff just as some sort of tortured soul or romantic hero.

Hated the Oliver heathcliff, too stiff.

[–] basford 18 years ago

The film is far from rubbish, it's very faithfull to the book, it's just the leads that's all. Julliette Binoche who may be an adorable actress just could never make me really hate Cathy. Fiennes makes you hate him way too much though, he's not my favourite Heathcliff at all, I saw Fiennes before I saw Olivier's so I'm not saying it from a biased view and I just prefer Olivier's. He looks moe like you'd expect Heathcliff to look, Fiennes's makeup wasn't right really.

I'm not saying Olivier IS Heathcliff and Fiennes ISN'T, I'm just saying tht Olivier is much more how I expected him to have been played out. But I can totally see why some others prefer Fiennes, most of us who have read the book can be treated to different versions and can judge from our own point of view who is best.

Having said that, no Heathcliff is totally right IMO, there is supposedly a new WH coming to BBC shortly following the magnificent recent Jane Eyre, maybe they might get this Heathcliff right?

I'm England, that's all - Laurence Olivier

[–] Darthette 18 years ago

I hope someone would have the guts to show the darkeness of the real Heathcliff, and showing the scenes of domestic violence would help people stop thinking of Heathcliff just as some sort of tortured soul or romantic hero.

I totally agree. Although I do think of him as a tortured soul, who expresses his anger partly through acts of violence. Considering the way he was treated by Hindley as a child, its no wonder he's incapable of showing many emotions other than violent outbursts.

"Hey, STELLA!"

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[–] lisaofdecember 18 years ago

I think both Fiennes and Dalton made good Heathcliffs. Maybe take the best of both performances and mesh them together. I could see Heathcliff's intelligence and calculating mind in Fiennes, and I could see the violence and incompationate nature of H. in Dalton. I don't like L.O.'s Heathcliff simply because it was too refined- limited by what Hollywood was back in 1939. The script was a totally different story than the book.
But when I read and re-read the book, sometimes I picture Fiennes, sometimes Dalton, depends on which scene it is.

[–] suikoden_sigurd 18 years ago

I thought the guy playing Heathcliff was Jason Isaacs at first...he'd have been another good choice. I'm basing that of his picture on IMDB where he is dressed Shakespearian.

Ralph Fiennes ISNT Heathcliff!

Ralph Fiennes ISNT Heathcliff!