Wuthering Heights (1992)

Year: 1992
Rated: PG
Run Time: 1 hour, 53 minutes

Tagline - A passion. An obsession. A love that destroyed everyone it touched.

First Viewing - Sophomore year of high school (2004) on Starz.

Adaptation Accuracy/Dialogue - I won't beat around the bush. This is my favorite adaptation of Wuthering Heights. I'm sure this is no secret if you've seen my List of Official Canonized Favorite Movies.

This version is by no means perfect, and there are many things I would change. However, I feel, out of all the versions I've seen, this one captures the novel and its proper mood the best.

It begins differently with Emily Bronte walking through the moors to an abandon house which she claims inspires this story. From the beginning, we do not take as fact, but as a work of fiction. I also very much enjoy Sinead O'Connor as Emily Bronte.

Emily narrates the arrival of Lockwood and then continues on with the story, inter cutting every now and then with voice overs, that, as I can recall, are all direct quotes from the novel. This version probably utilizes the dialogue from the novel, the best out of all the film version...with the exception of the '78 version.

Like I said, it's not entirely perfect, and the focus is on Heathcliff and Cathy fairly all the way through. Still, a care is taken with every scene and set piece. The story is given the time and care it deserves and can only receive through a studio production.

Heathcliff - (Ralph Fiennes, age 30) It's Ralph Fiennes! He's a damn fine Heathcliff but I don't think I have to go into that...because it's Ralph Fiennes! He is passionate, dangerous, and you believe him in all of his actions and plotting. He is one evil son of a bitch and you are on the edge of your seat waiting to see what he will do next...or for those of us who know, it's rather how he will do it next.

Cathy Earnshaw - (Juliette Binoche, age 28) I have found that the Cathy needs to match the Heathcliff in mood. Juliette Binoche's Cathy is equally dramatic and passionate as her Heathcliff and manages to do just fine along side Ralph Fiennes.

Edgar Linton - (Simon Shepherd, age 36) He's okay. There is some focus on him, but he is treated as a villain, a foil to keep Cathy and Heathcliff apart rather than someone that Cathy indeed falls for. Like all Edgars, he shines as a father.

Isabella Linton - (Sophie Ward, age 28) This is probably the most inactive Isabella ever. It's not entirely her fault. I think she could be more of a presence if the director had chosen to feature her face more. There's so little of her. And they make her out to be an idiot because she marries Heathcliff even after he plainly tells her "I'm a villain. I'm only after your fortune."

Hindley Earnshaw - (Jeremy Northam, age 31) As far as I know, Jeremy Northam is kind of an important British actor...I think. It seems they would give him a much larger part. His character arc is so very, very small. Smaller than Isabella's. He doesn't even go to college!

Frances Earnshaw - (Janine Wood, age 29) All right...if Hindley doesn't go away to college, then where does Frances come from? Probably the same place and Cain's wife, right? She has one scene of canoodling, one scene of pregnancy, and then she's dead. But what an exit! That is a truly horrific childbirth scene.

Nelly Dean - (Janet McTeer, age 31) Janet McTeer is my second favorite Nelly. Yes, she is too old (for the first generation) and not nearly active enough, but she has opinions and a personality so often absent in other Nelly's. She's tough and only a character of her strength could deal with the nutcases at the Heights and the Grange.

Hareton Earnshaw - (Jason Riddington, age 24) Even for Hareton, he's a little too quiet. He pops out of relatively nowhere. The actor does the best with he can with the material he's given. I think the actor likes the role, which helps. But there's just not enough of it!

Catherine Linton - (Juliette Binoche, age 28) Not since 1967's version have we seen the same actress portray both Catherines. I don't think there's that much of a difference in the performances though. Cathy is more giggly and temperamental, certainly, but Catherine is just a young girl caught in bad circumstances...with a blonde wig. I feel that Juliette Binoche didn't want Catherine to overshadow her performance as Cathy, so she didn't try as hard.

Linton Heathcliff - (Jonathan Firth, age 25) He's pretty good. He shows some of his snobbery and is a little more rude to Hareton than usual Lintons are who just cower in the corner with a blanket.

Joseph -(John Garrie)....pfft.

Lockwood - (Paul Geoffrey) Average confused Lockwood.

Costumes/Character Appearances - As a studio produced feature, this movie definitely has a budget and therefore the most elaborate and accurate costumes from the proper eras.


Once again, everyone is too old. Even the second generation. Linton is probably the best to physically embody his character, as he looks very small and weak. Cathy and Catherine are played by the same actress, but not meant to resemble one another. The Lintons are all too dark. Ralph Fiennes as Heathcliff is near physically perfect, particularly as a gentleman on.

Sets/Filming Locations -With a budget, we have one of the most impressive Wuthering Heights's. It is very gothic and inaccurate, but still fucking awesome. This is what most people picture when they think of the house, but in all actuality, it should resemble the house in all previous versions.

Music - I believe the music is one the greatest factors in making this one my favorite. The music is absolutely gorgeous and perfectly suited. You can find an example of the score on Youtube, and I assure you that it is spine tingling.

Overall Likes -Dual generations; The music; The house; Emily Bronte framing; Overall atmosphere; Nelly; The scene with Frances and Hindley canoodling; Heathcliff and Cathy on the rocks; Grotesque childbirth scenes; "I am Heathcliff"; "I cannot live without my life. I cannot live without my soul."; Cathy delirious; "Someone's love falls far short in her case, obviously."; Cathy's death scene; Heathcliff embraces Cathy's body; Catherine, Hareton, and Linton together in front of the house; Catherine offers to teach Hareton to read; Heathcliff watching Catherine and Hareton flirt; "It's a poor conclusion, is it not?"

Overall Dislikes - Actors too old; Edgar, Isabella, and Hindley too underplayed; Not long enough; 2nd generation romance should be longer;

Final Thoughts - Wuthering Heights (1992) is one of my favorite movies. Someday, I will do a longer review for my Official Canonized List of Favorite Movies, which will review it as a film and not simply an adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Therefore, I don't want to go into too much detail, so I'll leave you with the fact that this one is my favorite...and probably also the best (if best means entertaining and accurate) version of Wuthering Heights there is. If I suggest any one to watch, this is it.

DAF #48 - Melody Time (1948)

Title: Melody Time

Year: 1948

Rated: G

Run Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes 

Plot: A group of eight animated segments set to original modern (for 1948) music.

Based on: Original stories; The Legend of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman); The poem "Little Toot" by Hardie Gramtaky; The poem "Trees" by Alfred Joyce Kilmer; The American legend of Pecos Bill.

Settings: Winter Wonderland; Mindfuck Bumblebee Land; American Frontier; Eastern Seaboard; The Forest; Three Caballeros Land; Texas.

Tagline: For Your All-Time Good Time!

First Viewing: Spring, 2006 on Netflix.

Comments
As we work our way up the ass end of my DAF ranking, we will encounter all 6 package films in a fairly quick succession. Third from the bottom is 1948's Melody Time, a sort of Fantasia-esque feature but with modern (40's) music. This format had already been initiated with 1946's Make Mine Music, (Don't worry, it's coming soon!) but this particular film was a tad less successful...in my opinion. Let's take a look at the 8 segments all introduced by a singing mask...

"Once Upon a Wintertime" sung by Frances Langford – Romance. I should like it then, right? No. I don't give a shit about Joe and Jenny (yes, those are their official names according to my Encyclopedia of Walt Disney's Animated Characters book). They ride in a one horse (I mean, two horse) open sleigh and go ice skating and a pair of romantically linked rabbits mimic them. Jenny and She-Rabbit get pissed at their respective partners and then huffily rush onto a piece of thin ice. It's up to the menfolk to save them, and save them they do.

"Bumble Boogie" – A lone bumblebee flies erratically through a strange colorful world of flowers, musical instruments, and musical symbols and notes.

"The Legend of Johnny Appleseed" told and sung by Dennis Day – John Chapman, a young apple grower wants to go west but fears he is too weak for the pioneer life. "Johnny's Angel" appears and sends him off with confidence to plant apple trees around the Ohio River region for 40 years, until he is called up to heaven.

"Little Toot" sung by The Andrews Sisters –  A mischievous young tugboat shame his father and then returns to save the day.

"Trees" sung by Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians – An animated ode to the poem "Trees" by Alfred Joyce Kilmer.

"Blame It On the Samba" performed by Ethel Smith and the Dinning Sisters – To all of you out there who have seen Saludos Amigos or The Three Caballeros, you will be delighted to see Jose Carioca and Donald Duck chase after Latin American ass once again. Sigh. An obvious leftover from one those movies. Were they really that likable a pair?

"Pecos Bill" told by Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers – For some unknown reason, Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten (from So Dear to My Heart and Song of the South) are chilling in the middle of Texas with Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers. Young Bobby asks why coyotes howl at the moon. Roy and his buddies then tell the tall tale of the rise and fall of American legend, Pecos Bill, his noble steed Widowmaker, and his lady fair, Sluefoot Sue.

Pecos Bill is my favorite by default. Mainly, this is because I love how much Widowmaker hates his friend being stolen away by that hussy Sluefoot Sue. ("He never wants to play since his bitch moved in.")  It's his fault that she ended up on the moon. And the very sinister side of me is happy that Widowmaker succeeds. I suppose its sort of tragic that Pecos spends the rest of his life howling at the moon, but then again, I don't really give a shit about anyone in this movie.

Melody Time has a bit of controversy surrounding it. The movie was first released on video in 1998 (and then got another release in 2000 for the why-the-fuck-not Gold Collection). The bigwigs at Disney feared Pecos Bill's near constant cigarette would make the kiddies want to take a trip to Marlboro country just like their favorite package film hero. So the fag was digitally removed along with a verse in the song "Pecos Bill" that apparently deals with tobacco.

Is it a big loss? Eh...I don't know. It seems like SOOOOO much work especially when nothing is done to remove Jose Carioca's ever present cigar in Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, and even our very own Melody Time. Is parrot tobacco use acceptable or something?

Like with The Three Caballeros, I do not hate this film. In fact, the only one I legitimately HATE is Lilo & Stitch. I pretty much feel impartial to Melody Time. None of the segments really shout out to me and even my favorite little moments don't really make an impression. This is a pretty bland, forgettable movie but if you want to truly consider yourself a Disney-phile, at least one viewing is necessary.

Songs
“Melody Time" - Buddy Clark
"Once Upon a Wintertime" - Frances Langford
"Bumble Boogie" - Freddy Martin and His Orchestra featuring Jack Fina
"Oh the Lord is Good to Me" - Dennis Day
"A Lot of Work to Do" - Dennis Day
"Square Dance" - Dennis Day
"Little Toot" - The Andrews Sisters
"Trees" - Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians
"Blame it on the Samba" - Ethel Smith and the Dinning Sisters
"Blue Shadows on the Trail" - Roy Rogers and the Sons of Pioneers
"Pecos Bill" - Roy Rogers and the Sons of Pioneers

Favorite Song - "Pecos Bill" - Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers
Favorite Moment - "Pecos Bill"

Favorite Character - Widowmaker

Next Film - Oliver & Company (1988)

Videography: Britney Spears (Part II - Oops...I Did it Again!)

After the release of her second album, Britney Spears was a full on international superstar. There wasn't an impressionable girl, lusting boy or concerned parent alive that didn't know her name. In many ways, the Oops!...I Did it Again era videos are more "mature" than the Baby One More Time videos. I only say this because it seems there are actual plots instead of "Britney dances with dancers surrounding her." Also, sexuality seems to be winning in the virgin vs. whore debate. All of these videos (besides the Pepsi commercials and "Lucky") show a sultry, in charge woman. The pressure of life in the public eye was definitely effecting her at this point, but Britney smiled and pushed through, shimmying and gyrating all the way to the bank with "Lucky" being our only hint into her inside turmoil.

Order: 6

Title: "Oops!...I Did it Again"

Album: Oops!...I Did It Again (2000)

Song Premise: A girl is unashamed of her flirtatious ways and blames her admirer for being easily enchanted.

Video Premise: Upon entering the Mars orbit (?) an astronaut finds a rock with Britney's picture from the Oops! album cover that somehow beckons her in a red vinyl jumpsuit. As the lyrics indicate, Britney plays with his heart while the crew on Earth watches in amusement. At one point, the smitten spaceman offers Britney the jewel from the end of Titanic.

Comments: This video is so stupid. It really makes no sense at all, but somehow managed to become iconic. Way back when, in the olden days, the Disney Channel used to air music videos and this is one that was played to death. I saw it so many times that I quasi knew the choreography which I performed for a bunch of Irish kids while I was visiting Ireland in the spring of 2001. They even asked if I knew Britney Spears. They were upset when I told them I was from Washington.

Order: 7

Title: "The Joy of Pepsi"

Album: ...Just a commercial.

Song Premise: Britney sings about how she enjoys Pepsi.

Video Premise: Britney is in a warehouse in coveralls which she promptly rips off and begins dancing with other workers.

Comments: Okay...so it's a commercial, not technically a video. But look at it: Peppy song? Check. Choreography? Check. Britney's navel? Check. The advertisers knew the quickest way to have Britney sell Pepsi would be to put her in her most comfortable and recognizable environment.

Order: 8

Title: "Lucky"

Album: Oops!...I Did It Again (2000)

Song Premise: The story of Lucky, a Hollywood actress disenchanted with her lonely life.

Video Premise: Britney appears in front of a curtain and announces that "This is a story about a girl named Lucky." We see the day to day life of a 40's movie star, Lucky, as she awakens and is given a huge bouquet of flowers by her butler. Britney is apparently some kind of guardian angel who witnesses Lucky's dissatisfaction and wants her to realize it. Suddenly, a gorgeous hunk storms in and dips Lucky. It turns out the whole thing is a movie, and Lucky is a modern day movie star (and kind of a bitch). Fast forward a couple of months and Lucky wins an Oscar and is surrounded by her adoring fans. She gets into a limo and sees Britney trying to reach her. Finally, Lucky cries herself to sleep.

Comments: As you know from my Top 30 Britney Spears Songs blog, "Lucky" is my favorite song of hers. And it's also my favorite video. For one, I'm ecstatic they took the story in the song and used that as a basis for the video. Then I love that it has a "movie within a movie" quality to it. I plan to write a whole blog on this video, so I'll keep this commentary short so I'm not so goddamn redundant. Anyway, it's just so ironic and thinly veiled! "Let's make her an actress instead of a popstar!"

Order: 9

Title: "The Pepsi Generation"

Album: ...Just a commercial.

Song Premise: Britney says young people like Pepsi!

Video Premise: 1958: Britney drinks Pepsi in a malt shop. 1963: On an American Bandstand type show, Britney sings in a girl group. 1966: Britney surfs and sings at the beach. 1970: Hippie Britney sings with other hippies. 1989: Britney sings "Simply Irresistible" in an "Addicted to Love" type video. Finally, all era Britneys are shown doing the "Joy of Pepsi" dance.

Comments: This is fun and I enjoyed the hell out of it. Of course, I love eras. My only complaint is, why no mid 70's? Disco! Not difficult.

Order: 10

Title: "Stronger"

Album: Oops!...I Did It Again (2000)

Song Premise:  A woman finally recovers from a nasty break up.

Video Premise: Britney is rejected by a guy in a club and takes her revenge by dancing alone elsewhere with a magical chair. She also drives a car angrily in the rain, dances with a cane and strides confidently across a bridge.

Comments: I think this is the most pissed we've seen Britney to date. But for a "I-don't- need-you-anymore-you-cheating-bastard" song, I think it fits rather well. Also chair dancing is extremely impressive and I am in awe whenever I see it.

Order: 11

Title: "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know"

Album: Oops!...I Did It Again (2000)

Song Premise: A girl begs her boyfriend to tell her he loves her since he’s seemed to have told everyone else.

Video Premise: Britney and a ripped hunk frolic on a tropical island and make out and climb trees.

Comments: A sexy song deserves a sexy video. And boy howdy do we get one! Okay, I love this song and this video. They don't really go together. The song is about insecurity, while the video is basically a 2000's version of The Blue Lagoon. I like it because it's more seductive and sultry than nasty and dirty...which is rather ironic knowing what's coming in the future. Maybe Britney wanted to do a sexy video but her handlers demanded it be sensual instead. I don't know. It was banned from the Disney Channel, none the less. It's interesting to watch the development of Britney's videos. It's definitely been a gradual process. Knowing the future makes me sad that videos of this nature are never seen again. P.S. I wish I looked that good in jean shorts.

Wuthering Heights (1978)

Year: 1978

Rated:NR

Run Time: 5 hours (Yeah, that's right...5 HOURS)

First Viewing - December, 2009 from a Region 2 DVD transferred onto an iPod. (Thanks, Andrew!) 


Adaptation Accuracy/Dialogue - I'll level with you right at the beginning. This review will be rather incomplete. I have only seen this version once. At five hours, it is a difficult piece of work to get through. That, and I bought it on a Region 2 DVD so my friend Andrew converted it on his computer and then lost it so I couldn't rewatch it before writing this blog. So, I'm sorry.

Well...at five hours, how can you have any inaccuracy? Oh, they found ways. Mainly, (like always) it's character flaws. Dialogue is very accurate, in fact, most of the time it's word for freakin' word...which is rather impressive. There's even a very close attention to minute details that only true fans of the novel would know...like young Cathy losing her shoe in a bog. Who cares? Not even me. Certainly, I would have appreciated such authenticity if the same care had been taken into the characters and acting, but alas, I am disappointed.


The whole first episode accurately portrays Heathcliff and Cathy as children when they first spy on the Lintons. In all other versions, they are teenagers by this point. In fact, it's right before the famous "I am Heathcliff" scene that the characters are shown as "teenagers". It's kind of unsettling to see Heathcliff jump from 10 to 30.


Also, it's boring. Painfully, hair rippingly, sleep inducingly boring. Even for me, who loves this story passionately, it's boring. I can't imagine what it would be like for someone who feels lukewarm towards Wuthering Heights. I would have liked to see it again to see if my initial opinion changed. And since I've seen all the other versions at least 3 times each, I'm just not as familiar with it. Thus, my review will be very sparse.

Heathcliff - (Ken Hutchison, age 30) As I recall Hutchison's Heathcliff was too old and too grumpy, even when he was a lover. There was no refinement when he was supposed to be a gentleman and no depth behind his evil plans. He is also too old and really looks too old.

Cathy Earnshaw - (Kay Adshead, age 24) Even as one of the youngest actresses to play Catherine Earnshaw, Kay Adshead seems to match Hutchison's older Heathcliff. She looks older than she is and presents Cathy as a woman instead of a immature teenage girl.

Edgar Linton - (David Robb, age 31) Um...yeah, I don't remember. Which just furthers my point of the characters being unmemorable. Though I'm glad to see him as a true blonde.

Isabella Linton - (Caroline Langrishe, age 20) This is the youngest actress to ever play Isabella in any English speaking version of Wuthering Heights. I remember liking her, but I can't tell you why. Sometimes youth and inexperience can add more to a performance than years of training.

Hindley Earnshaw - (John Duttine, age 29) I remember nothing.

Frances Earnshaw - (Maggie Wilkinson, age unknown) Ditto.

Nelly Dean - (Pat Heywood, age 51) Sigh. You would think that in the most accurate version of Wuthering Heights, that they would get this right! But no, here we have one of the oldest Nellys. I know I've said this before, but I hate how Nelly is pushed into "nursemaid" for Cathy (the second generation, I don't care that much), but damn it, why in the first generation? The most ironic thing is Nelly is played by Pat Heywood who you may recognize as, I kid you not, the nurse in Zefferelli's Romeo & Juliet.

The only difference is costuming.

Hareton Earnshaw - (David Wilkinson, age 23) Um, don't remember, yet again. But it's promising that he is actually the same age as the character...at his oldest...but it's still an improvement.

Catherine Linton - (Cathryn Harrison, age 19) I recall her being a bit too bitchy. I know Catherine is supposed to be cold to Lockwood and to Hareton, but she was just too cold, as I rememeber.

Linton Heathcliff - (Andrew Burleigh, age unknown) Um...whiny?

Joseph -(Brian Wilde) Meh.

Lockwood -(Richard Kay) Lockwood is in this one a lot, but mostly as a plot device. He's only there because the book requires him to be. I do like that they portray his interest in Catherine, though.

Costumes/Character Appearances -Again, we have clothing from the 1700's and again they are simple due to the overall production quality. But like I've said before, the simple costumes fit the inhabitants at the Heights, but the Grangers should be more fancy. Other than Heathcliff, Cathy, and Nelly, I don't mind the appearances of the actors. I'm a fan of Isabella and Catherine's youth.

Sets/Filming Locations - Like the 1967 version, this is a TV production and the sets are small and cramped. So are the shots. However, there is accuracy with the grotesque nude little boys on the front of the house.

Music -Um, obviously not memorable.

Overall Likes - Minute attention to detail; Dual generations; Isabella and Catherine's youth; "I am Heathcliff" scene very complete; Lockwood's interest in Catherine.

Overall Dislikes - The "seventy-times seven" scene; Lack of characterization; Actors too old; S-L-O-W; Nelly...grrr; Unsympathetic Catherine (as I recall).

Final Thoughts - Someday, I will rewatch this version and write a better, more complete blog. I truly apologize, but I'm a completist so I needed to post this right after the 1970 version. Overall, I think my biggest issue with this miniseries is that it spent too much time with Heathcliff and Cathy as children. I know it's accurate, but I've taught myself to not attach myself to the characters as kids since they will soon morph into adults. But there was so much time spent on them in this version that I hadn't attached myself to the new Heathcliff and Cathy by the time my favorite scene came around.


Ugh...anyway, I can't recommend this adaptation to anyone unless they really love the book. And even then, I'm warning you it kind of sucks. Since this review also kind of sucks, here's a link to a Youtube video of the "I am Heathcliff" scene, the most complete ever.