Way outside the scope of films I'd normally cite among my favourites, I generally can't fathom films with frilly dresses, and tea-sipping fops named Thornsley Winterbottom III (Esquire). And yet, I was thoroughly engrossed in this wonderfully atmospheric 1944 version of the Charlotte Bronte classic.

Joan Fontaine (who failed to impress me in the overrated "Rebecca" and underwhelming "Suspicion", where she won an Oscar) is thoroughly winning in the title role, played as a child by a truly haunting Peggy Ann Garner. Fontaine's rather naive and entirely likeable take on the character reminded me a little of her sister Olivia De Havilland (one of my favourite actresses) and the virtuous characters she played for many years. Poor Jane Eyre is a long-suffering orphan girl turned governess to a moody and mysterious (yet charismatic) man named Rochester (Orson Welles, with wild eyes and booming voice) and his young charge (the absolutely adorable Margaret O'Brien). The always unpleasant Henry Daniell (from the brilliant "The Body Snatcher" with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi) leaves quite an impression as the cold-hearted, god-fearing headmaster Brocklehurst. Agnes Moorehead has an excellent role early in the film as a b*tchy relative, with a cute little pug (Well, OK, so only pug owners find them cute, so sue me).

Though Fontaine is the heart of the film, Orson Welles probably steals it, dominating every scene with his tortured characterisation. However, it will always be a young Liz Taylor whom I will never forget in this film, she will simply break your heart (These are not very happy people at all). She plays Jane's one and only friend at school, who develops a bad cough. Actually, all of the child actors are remarkable, with Garner obviously having the hardest task (given her large amount of screen time), but O'Brien does a cute little dance you'll love too.

Apparently it is not entirely faithful to the book, but truth be told, I'm glad about that, because it probably would've been a film that I avoided had it not been so wonderfully dark and brooding. The only real problem I had with the film came from an unlikely source- Bernard Herrmann ("Psycho"), whose score is annoyingly overbearing for much of the film. The black and white cinematography by George Barnes (who worked on "Rebecca" and the underrated "Spellbound") perfectly captures the beautiful 19th century England landscape, whilst also making it a place of gothic dread, loneliness, and just plain eeriness. There ain't no picking daisies in the field with Mr. Darcy ("Pride and Prejudice", different author, I know, I know, but it's all the same to me) here, folks. In fact, when one considers the school scenes where Jane is made an example of, it kind of reminded me of High School. But enough about me, just see this film, it's not your typical period piece.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening