The Criterion DVD issue is superb; do not waste your money on the Anchor Bay release (which I owned prior to this release). Even if you do not care for the overabundance of extras, the superiority of the transfer alone is reason enough. I also owned the Criterion laserdisc issue of "Rebecca," which is an outstanding transfer; however, this DVD surpasses even the laserdisc in video and audio quality. Besides, I do not mind paying the extra dollars for Criterion releases, given their commitment to outstanding digital transfers of classic films. Now if only Fox Lorber would have shown a similar committment to consistent quality in its Godard series. Also, unlike some companies that load their DVDs with both useless and carelessly engineered extras, Criterion, as is its track record, has assembled a list of extras that enhance one's understanding of the film. Besides two separate audio commentaries, among the other valuable resources include numerous screen tests (including Joan Fontaine's), feedback from audience test screenings, and examples of the different letter "R"s considered for the film. Once again, this is an all-around excellent DVD issue of an even more excellent film.


Chilling - a fantastic Hitchcock film...   July 20, 2002
 13 out of 15 found this review helpful

Rebecca was the first Hitchcock film I ever saw, and it inspired me to watch all of his other films. In other words, I really enjoyed watching this movie, and it is one of my favorites. The most remarkable thing about Rebecca, in my opinion, is the atmosphere - chilling, haunting, indeed it is almost gothic. Although Rebecca is in many ways different from most Hitchcock films, it is a perfect illustration of Hitchcock's amazing ability to create almost unbelieveable tension and suspense out of the most commonplace scenes.

Essentially, Rebecca is the story of an innocent, naive young woman (played by Joan Fontaine) who falls in love with a mysterious, eccentric rich man named Maxim DeWinter. After being brought to DeWinter's enormous mansion, Manderley, the young bride begins to fear the former mistress of Manderley, the famous Rebecca, who died years ago. This explanation does not do justice to the incredible suspense in the film, but be certain that Rebecca is a thrilling and haunting movie.

So, all in all, this is a chilling but wonderful movie! Highly recommended - unlike most movies today, Rebecca proves that the atmosphere is the key element and that suspense and fear can be created without blood and gore.


A Hitchcock Movie for People Who Don't Like Hitchcock Films   May 13, 2006
 13 out of 18 found this review helpful

Looking back in retrospect, I truly believe this film was the launching point of Hitchcock's career. He went on to have one of the most glorious careers in Hollywood history. Although he never won an Academy Award Oscar for the Best Director award; Hitchcock showed that he truly belonged in the top echelon of directors. Especially in his golden era: circa 1951 to 1959.

It's ironic that the only motion picture of his, to my recollection, that ever won the Best Picture Award from the Academy (or AMPAS) actually won the award in 1940. This was due to Selznick's influence in the industry not the quality of the motion picture itself; and this is an important bit of information to know. The Academy disdained Alfred Hitchcock and Hitchcock films in general, but in 1940, again Hitchcock was a blip on the radar screen.

The reason why he lost with Rebecca was they didn't want to give the award to an Englishman. In particular an Englishman with Welsh roots (John Ford won best director in 1940). It was a long-standing tradition at that time that absolutely no foreigners were ever allowed to win any Major category Oscars. This film would have easily been overlooked and past over by the Academy in 1940 if not for Selznick.

Back to the film. It's a torrent of emotional and psychological warfare. Olivier, Fontaine, and the villainous Judith Anderson were a primer of things to come later in Hitchcock films.

This film has all the Hitchcock elements in place, but with only one thing missing...The producer decided to go the straight route and contain Hitchcock's element of unnerving suspense, his uncanny sense of the absurd, supreme visual storytelling techniques and most importantly, his dry, sarcastic, cunning sense of humor.

The straightforward effect works here and there is plenty of mystery and most important a developed triangle of interesting characters. This film really plays as a modern day "Cinderella" and there is no doubt that the acting is the glue that holds this motion picture together. I really liked watching the relationship with the Fontaine and Anderson characters develop. There is a profound and deeply disturbing rhythm to it.

So here's to the most unique collaboration I can think of in Hitchcock's career. Again, a very contained Hitchcock...

The pacing of the story, the majestic sets, and the broad "big time" movie theatrics are all pure David Selznick. The sinister evil antagonist, the three dimensional portrait of the protagonist with all of it's complex angst and guilt ridden characterization, and the surprise plot twists are pure Hitchcock.

One last very important note...Orson Welle's Citizen Kane was made one year AFTER Rebecca in 1941. You will notice a very strong influence of Rebecca in Citizen Kane. A lot of people are uninformed about the originality of Citizen Kane (the so called greatest fillm of all time)...

Most of the Citizen Kane's glamour shots of sweeping cranes movements, close-ups, extreme depth of field, and extreme low and high angles, were not that original at all. These shots were performed before by the master and best filmmaker of all time; Alfred Hitchcock.