Rebecca

Name: Rebecca
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance
Released: April 12, 1940
Duration: 130 min
Rating: 86
Cast: C. Aubrey Smith, Florence Bates, George Sanders, Gladys Cooper, Joan Fontaine

1940

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 40 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 40 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

United Artists | Release Date: April 12, 1940 | Approved

Starring: C. Aubrey Smith, Florence Bates, George Sanders, Gladys Cooper, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson, Laurence Olivier, Melville Cooper, Nigel Bruce, Reginald Denny

Summary: A self-conscious woman juggles adjusting to her new role as an aristocrat's wife and avoiding being intimidated by his first wife's spectral presence.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance

Rating: Approved

Runtime: 130 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Kate Cameron

The suspense of the story is magnificently sustained throughout the film, which didn't surprise us, as maintaining suspense in a story has always been Director Hitchcock's forte Read full review

100

Empire Patrick Humphries

Perhaps without the shock and suspense of subsequent work, this is nevertheless another undoubted masterpiece from the atmospheric film maker, and just as essential. Read full review

Frank S. Nugent

An altogether brilliant film, haunting, suspenseful, handsome and handsomely played. Read full review

Pauline Kael

Magnificent romantic-gothic corn, full of Alfred Hitchcock's humor and inventiveness.

Staff (Not Credited)

Picture is noteworthy in its literal translation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel to the screen, presenting all of the sombreness and dramatic tragedy of the book in its unfolding. More important, it commands attention in establishing Joan Fontaine as a potential screen personality of upper brackets. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Depending on your own feelings, you will find Fontaine either endearing or totally maddening. Whichever, she's right in the part; and Hitchcock's relentless camera seems to luxuriate in her emotional masochism. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Somewhat tonally inconsistent; following the social comedy of Monte Carlo and suspense of Manderley, the pace slackens in the crime procedural of the final half-hour, which is all tell and no show. Still, Hitchcock shows superb technical control and attends to his trademark motifs, from monstrous mother figures to the fetishisation of clothing (strong foreshadowings of ‘Vertigo’). Read full review

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User Reviews

kyle20ellis

Mar 18, 2022

I am 17, and I love this movie. One definite positive of Rebecca is the masterful direction by Alfred Hitchcock, full of the usual twists and turns that make his films so pleasing. The chilling and suspenseful story, of a timid young woman marrying a man and finding herself in the shadow ofI am 17, and I love this movie. One definite positive of Rebecca is the masterful direction by Alfred Hitchcock, full of the usual twists and turns that make his films so pleasing. The chilling and suspenseful story, of a timid young woman marrying a man and finding herself in the shadow of his dead first wife, has many complex issues, such as the possibilities of suicide, murder and mistaken identity, all of which took me completely by surprise. Rebecca also has gorgeous black and white cinematography, and a beautifully atmospheric music score. But it's the performances from the distinguished cast that holds this film together. Laurence Olivier, one of Britain's finest stage and film actors(you only have to see him in Shakespeare to know the talent this man had), gives a towering performance as Maxim De Winter, a broken man haunted by his first wife's death. The lovely Joan Fontaine is the picture of innocence and vulnerability as the 2nd Mrs De Winter, giving a genuine sense of fright and emotion throughout. Also superb is the suave George Sanders as the rather loathsome blackmailing Favel, who smirks and makes acidic remarks as effortlessly as Clark Gable did in Gone With The wind. But stealing the acting honours is Judith Anderson as the housekeeper Mrs Danvers, a performance that is truly sinister, like the scene when she sets Manderly on fire, her facial expression looking out of the window gave me the shivers. The script was tense, dark and flawlessly delivered. Through the characters we hear that Rebecca was beautiful and possessed all the other positive virtues, so I was shocked when that wasn't to be. All in all, a chilling and dark film, that is a must see. 10/10 Bethany Cox.… Expand

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beeanadou

Oct 22, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Rebecca no longer existed when the story happened yet we see her shadows everywhere, the new wife of the Manson owner could even get the title "Mrs. de Winter" with Mrs. Danvers around. There lays another possibility that Rebecca's death was not an accident as the only long-passage description about Rebecca was from Maxim; as Maxim was person of short-temper, thus, could Rebecca became the way she was because she couldn't stand their marital life?… Expand

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Nicolas2002

Mar 25, 2020

This Alfred Hitchcock's movie is a masterpiece and an excellent movie with I recommend to everyone.

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Gamzguy17

Aug 21, 2021

If you can forgive "Rebecca" for its slower scenes and dialog heavy delivery, you'll find a well-crafted Hollywood romance film where Lawrence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, and Judith Anderson are all absolutely fantastic in their roles. Furthermore, with this being one of Alfred Hitchcock'sIf you can forgive "Rebecca" for its slower scenes and dialog heavy delivery, you'll find a well-crafted Hollywood romance film where Lawrence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, and Judith Anderson are all absolutely fantastic in their roles. Furthermore, with this being one of Alfred Hitchcock's earlier works, he brings a quirky and gothic direction to the picture to help keep "Rebecca" from being too draggy. It also has hints of his trademark camera work and suspenseful story pacing that he would later go on to perfect in better films than this. Don't get me wrong though, like I've said, this is an all around solid romance with the benefits of golden age Hollywood to boost its dark beauty.… Expand

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