Best Version Yet

I much prefer the older BBC version with Jeremy Brett, Joanna David, and Anna Massey. Brilliant casting, absolutely perfect. Charles Dance was about ten years too old (Maxim is only 42) and blond, whereas in the novel, much is made of Maxim's medieval darkness. I thought Faye Dunaway was completely miscast and the bizarre interpretation of her character way off the mark. Another thing I loved about the older version was the extensive use of Debussy in the musical score -- extremely evocative and very much suited to the overall atmosphere of the novel, also very correct in regards to period. I'm just sorry this wonderful version is not available in any format, that I know of, anyway.

I do not seek to understand so that I may believe, but I believe so that I may understand.

I totally agree. I love this version but I also enjoy the 1940s version. If I had to choose, it would be the 1997 version. There's more depth in the characters. Charles Dance does a great job as Max in my humble opinion although he's a little older than the character, which is okay with me.

I am eager to find the BBC version everybody talks about. I am captivated by both version of Rebecca and would love to be able to compare these two with the BBC version.

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So far, I have seen three (3) versions of "Rebecca", but am unsure if there may be any versions I have not seen. I have seen the 1940's Laurence Olivier/Joan Fontaine version, the 1970's Jeremy Brett/Joanna David (Emilia Fox' mother) version, and finally, this 1997 version with Charles Dance/Emilia Fox.

My personal preference is for the 1970's version with (the late) Jeremy Brett and Joanna David. Jeremy plays a very handsome Max de Winter (as he is meant to be), and is about the right age. Joanna David portrays about the right degree of plain-ness, shyness/awkwardness, and innocence, the way Mrs de Winter is supposed to be, but should possibly have looked a little younger.

In the 1997 version, I think Charles Dance looks too old, and Emilia Fox a little too attractive, and not as shy/innocent as she needs to be. I also don't like the way they show what Rebecca looks like (or at least, a part of her), in this later version. In the two earlier versions, there is absolutely no indication of what Rebecca looks like, which I find adds to the mystery and suspense. However I also thought it was rather unusual that there would not have been at least a painted portrait of her hanging on a wall somewhere within Manderley, as there obviously were of other past relatives. Given Max' feelings towards Rebecca, it is possible he may have had any such portraits removed/taken down after her death, so as not to be reminded of her - because such memory was too painful (either because he either loved her or hated her).

I enjoyed the 1940's version with Olivier/Fontaine, but once again found Fontaine too attractive for the role of Mrs de Winter, and the vast age gap which there was meant to be, was certainly not evident.

I loved it but it was 3 AND A HALF HOURS LONG. I really think they could've made it a bit more "condensed". The novel isn't that long, this is Rebecca not War and Peace or Anna Karenina . Emilia Fox was fantastic though. Love her. This is the more accurate version, but I keep asking myself, why don't they ever show Rebecca in ANY of the versions? She's one of the most fascinating characters in English Literature and the story revolves around her. That's what so fascinating about it, the 2nd Mrs. De Winter has not persona whatsoever (she's meant not to have one). Rebecca owns the show and runs it as well.

I couldn't disagree more. The 2nd Mrs is far too spirited and outspoken in this version. I also don't know what the writer was smoking when they completely and utterly changed the character of Mrs. Van Hopper. Her alteration was so different from the novel that they were writing from scratch. Mrs. Van Hopper had no romantic designs on Maxim, she was an incurable busybody and gossip and - FAT. I also did not understand why they felt the need to show Rebecca at all. The whole point of never showing you an actual face is that you must use your imagination to picture the most beautiful woman you can. This is why she overshadows the 2nd Mrs so well. She is held up as the perfect example of female beauty which the 2nd can never match up to.

And they altered the ending to almost match Jane Eyre with Maxim being horribly injured in the fire.

Nope, just can't find anything really redeeming in this version. The 1979 was far superior.

First, this is definitely the best version and second, Charles Dance is NOT too old. He's perfect in this!!

Your chains are still mine, you belong to me! - The Phantom Of The Opera

Except for Mrs. DeWinter's reaction when he first confessed to killing Rebecca. The little moron sleeps with him, before he even says she was evil and he wasn't thinking!!