What’s the best adaptation of Wuthering Heights?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Laurence Olivier version from 1939 is what’s burned in my head (along with the pat benatar song). He is so phenomenally intense. I’m looking forward to the upcoming one but might end up hate watching it.
It was my favorite book as a teen and I probably read it 10 times but I haven’t read it in years …. Will have to re-read and see if I still like it.

I cried so much. Love that movie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t tell if the one coming out next spring looks good or not.

What’s your favorite version?

I still think the 1939 original film because of the actors.

Merle Oberon ... Cathy .
Laurence Olivier ... Heathcliff ...
David Niven Edgar ..

The film won the 1939 New York Film Critics Award for Best Film. It earned nominations for eight Academy Awards,[6] including for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. The 1940 Academy Award for Best Cinematography, black-and-white category, was awarded to Gregg Toland for his work. Nominated for original score (but losing to The Wizard of Oz).


It was the golden age of Hollywood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Word is the new adaptation is completely and totally unhinged.

Honestly it's a tricky novel and I've never particularly liked any adaptation.

It’s a really tricky novel to adapt!

Filmmakers try to make Catherine and Heathcliff people to route for when they are immature, selfish people who are in a toxic relationship that continues after death. It’s so moving to read a grief stricken Heathcliff taunt Catherine’s ghost to haunt him. “I cannot without my life! I cannot live without my soul!” But on film it’s just like, enough already.

I would much prefer a version that focused on the true love story of Cathy and Hareton. I’d love to watch them build a quiet, happy life from the wreckage of their dead families.

That being said, I’ll be there on opening night to watch the new version.

FWIW when I say unhinged I mean lots of very weird sex stuff:

https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/8/5/emerald-fennells-wuthering-heights-gets-frosty-reception-at-first-test-screening

If you haven't watched Saltburn to understand this director, maybe check that out for context.

Gross. The description in the article makes me absolutely not want to see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Word is the new adaptation is completely and totally unhinged.

Honestly it's a tricky novel and I've never particularly liked any adaptation.

It’s a really tricky novel to adapt!

Filmmakers try to make Catherine and Heathcliff people to route for when they are immature, selfish people who are in a toxic relationship that continues after death. It’s so moving to read a grief stricken Heathcliff taunt Catherine’s ghost to haunt him. “I cannot without my life! I cannot live without my soul!” But on film it’s just like, enough already.

I would much prefer a version that focused on the true love story of Cathy and Hareton. I’d love to watch them build a quiet, happy life from the wreckage of their dead families.

That being said, I’ll be there on opening night to watch the new version.

FWIW when I say unhinged I mean lots of very weird sex stuff:

https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/8/5/emerald-fennells-wuthering-heights-gets-frosty-reception-at-first-test-screening

If you haven't watched Saltburn to understand this director, maybe check that out for context.

Gross. The description in the article makes me absolutely not want to see it.

Agree. The word that comes to mind is gratuitous.

[Anonymous]

The people article says bondage sex and dog collars are part of the new movie, and that literary people won't like it.

It sounds like they ruined it.

https://people.com/wuthering-heights-everything-to-know-11803675

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The people article says bondage sex and dog collars are part of the new movie, and that literary people won't like it.

It sounds like they ruined it.

https://people.com/wuthering-heights-everything-to-know-11803675

I actually might not mind that if they keep to the core premise that these are two toxic, f’ed up people and not a couple deserving of a happy ending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The people article says bondage sex and dog collars are part of the new movie, and that literary people won't like it.

It sounds like they ruined it.

https://people.com/wuthering-heights-everything-to-know-11803675

I actually might not mind that if they keep to the core premise that these are two toxic, f’ed up people and not a couple deserving of a happy ending.

If you read the pre screen comments, the opening scene is disgusting and it goes down hill from there.

[Anonymous]

I liked the one with Tom Hardy and his wife.