Wuthering Heights is back on everyone’s radar, ahead of Emerald Fennell’s new movie arriving in theaters. Emily Brontë’s beloved story is getting the big screen treatment again, and plenty of people have had their say on the divisive trailer. HBO Max has even jumped on the hype by adding the original 1939 movie to its library this month.
Of course, it’s important to note the obvious Wuthering Heights clue that things are about to change, as my colleague Jasmine pointed out, so we can likely expect a very different take on the story from Fennell when it arrives in theaters on February 13, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
There’s no better time to visit Wuthering Heights
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I’m always encouraging people to seek out classic movies. It’s such an essential part of film history and a chance to see legendary actors in their prime. Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier lead the cast of the 1939 version of Wuthering Heights, and their performances are just stunning.
The story of Heathcliff and Cathy is a timeless romance, and one that has been told many times. But many regard the 1939 movie as the best adaptation, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 96%.
It isn’t fully faithful to the source material, but it’s very close. The main difference is that it omits the second half of the book to focus on the first generation of characters.
With Emerald Fennell’s take around the corner, it’s clear her version will be very different compared to the 1939 movie. Of course, cinema at large has changed considerably, and hers has a modern twist, as we know Charli XCX provides the soundtrack.
It will obviously be an entirely different viewing experience from a movie released 87 years ago. Still, by watching both versions back to back, I think it’ll be an interesting exercise in comparing how a novel can be adapted very differently throughout the years. One is not necessarily better than the other, just a different interpretation, and I think that’s very cool.
Wuthering Heights lives on in many forms, and now you have a great excuse to stream a beloved classic movie ahead of your Valentine’s weekend trip to see the new one. I can’t wait to rewatch the classic movie either, now that it’s so easy to stream.
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