Popped Density: Wuthering Heights: The Other Versions

I promised you I would go over all the other versions of Wuthering Heights, so here they are. Admittedly, I've seen some of them. Others I will never have the opportunity to see. No one will, unless you speak multiple languages and have one of those amazing multi-region DVD players....and connections with foreign television studios that will give you access to their archives.

1920: The first known film adaptation. It is unknown if any copies exist and the Brontë Parsonage is currently searching for a copy. Apparently, this version tells both generations and had four actors portray Heathcliff. It was directed by a guy named A.V. Bramble who also directed a silent version of Charlotte Brontë’s novel Shirley.

1948: BBC staged live version. Not filmed. Both generations.

1950: A Studio One one hour production starring Charlton Heston. This one is actually available for viewing on a compilation DVD of other Charlton Heston things. So, honestly, I’ve seen this one but I didn’t want to do a review on it because it is not worth it. It was a very bare bones production and poor quality. It’s available on Netflix but I’m warning you now, it’s shit.

1953: BBC version. There is no recorded version. Apparently, Richard Todd showed up at the BBC wanting to play Heathcliff so this was shat out in a week.

1954: “Abismos de Pasion”. A Mexican version that allegedly shows the true darkness and dysfunction of all the characters. The names have been changed/translated but is essentially the same story.

1955: TV version.

1956: “Cime Tempestose”. An Italian television version.

1957: Another TV version.

1958: TV version that has Richard Burton as Heathcliff, Patty Duke as young Cathy, and Rosemary Harris (Aunt May from Spider-Man) as Isabella. Why isn’t this version available? It has stars!

1962: A BBC remake of the other 1953 BBC adaptation. This version exists in the archives and could be released on DVD…hopefully some day soon.

1963: “Cumbres Borrascosas”. A Peruvian television version.

1964: “Cumbres Borrascosas”. A Mexican television version.

1966: “Olymeyen Ask” a.k.a. “Immortal Love” . A Turkish version.

1967: “O Morro dos Ventos Uivantes”. A Brazilian version.

1968: “Les Hauts de Hurlevent”. A French television version. It has been released on DVD in France.

1970: "The Semaphore Version of Wuthering Heights". A sketch on Monty Python where Heathcliff, Cathy, and Edgar communicate with one another with semaphore flags.

1973: “Vendaval”. A Brazilian television version

1976: "Cumbres Borrascosas". A Venezuelan television version with both generations.

1979: "Cumbres Borrascosas". A Mexican television version.

1988: "Arashi Ga Oka" a.k.a. "Onimaru". A Japanese film version that, from what I can find on the internet, changes the setting to medieval Japan and also changes the plot. Basically the Cathy character is supposed to leave the village and become a priestess, but to stay near Heathcliff, she marries a member of the rival family. Then there is great debate over Catherine being Heathcliff's daughter. I believe this version has been released on DVD in France and Japan. Clips exist on youtube.

1991: "Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit" a.k.a. "I'll Wait For You in Heaven". A Filipino film version.

1998: "Mastura". A Malaysian television version.

2002: "Sparkhouse". A BBC miniseries of a modernized, gender role reversed version of Wuthering Heights. It's rather strange and not a direct adaptation. Carol (Heathcliff) and Andrew (Cathy) were not raised together, but still childhood sweethearts. There was a little bit of a star crossed lovers thing going on. Sarah Smart (who played Catherine in WH '98) plays Carol, so that is pretty interesting.

2004: "Cime Tempestose". An Italian television version. I have seen clips of this on Youtube with English subs, but they have since been removed. It looked fucking awesome and I would give my left big toe to get a copy of this version. It's set in the 1840's but I don't care.