Jane Eyre

I have this movie to thank for my life long love of Charlotte Bronte's novel. I saw this movie and it made me read the book. I compare all other JE adaptations that come around about every decade since to see if they match the vivid impact this version had on my young brain! The performances of the young cast for Jane's childhood were very memorable, Adele is adorable. The adult cast was equally wonderful. Who can forget that whirlwind and musical crescendo where Jane and Rochester stand by that lighting struck chestnut tree with Rochester's crazed, defiant look after the proposal?!? Good stuff. Loved the score and over all look of the movie. Orson is still one of my favorite Rochesters, though I read it wasn't his favorite role. He is a little over the top but who cares when his voice is so distinct and commanding? And I'm glad he didn't try to fake an English accent. Joan matched his acting skill, but she's just so pretty its hard to see her as plain Jane.If you're looking for faithfulness to the book, this movie takes many liberties. Most of the made up scenes helped the story move along quickly. Even so, the changes did not stray badly and they did capture the Gothic aspects of the novel. Orson and Joan are a credible Jane and Rochester. That said, it is a classic movie for a classic tale.

The cinematography is of the sort you don't see nowadays: graphically masterful and quite expressionistic without being distracting. All the actors are excellent in their parts. Fontaine's Jane is extremely vulnerable. Wells is gruff. His tendency to mumble his lines works with this character. Peggy Ann Garner, one of the best, perhaps even THE best, of child actresses, is both delicate and strong in her role as young Jane. Even if this doesn't turn out to be your favorite Jane Eyre, you won't regret buying it.

Very atmospheric black and white version of the novel. Welles is physically perfect for the role of Rochester, Joan Fontaine just OK. Unfortunately to make a 2 hour movie they cut out huge sections of the story. An added treat is a cameo by Elizabeth Taylor as Helen Burns, Jane's childhood friend at the horrible school.

As an avid silver-screen-movie-lover, and a fan of Jane Eyre, I was looking forward to this adaptation of the classic novel... And I was disappointed. I am fully aware that the movie version of any book cannot encompass every last detail. I'm sensible enough to accept some streamlining in the plot, cutting out minor details, maybe even eliminating some sub-plots. Rewriting the original, however, rather irritates me, especially when it has to do with major plot-driving characters!*SPOILER ALERT & Complaints*For those of you who have read the book, and/or might have an idea of how the story really goes, you know that Mr. Rivers is Jane's cousin who proposes marriage to her. He is a crucial character, not for his extensive role in the plot, but for the contrast to Mr. Rochester. In this version, Doctor Rivers is already a grown man when Jane enters Lowood School, and is the local doctor. COMPLETELY takes out the entire end of the book. Ummmmmm, Jane has to find herself among the Rivers' before she can return to Rochester clean of conscience. *DUH! moment*Good Points:Other than the complete omission of Jane's uncle (who leaves her his fortune), and the aforementioned rewrite, this rendition is accurate more or less as it pertains to the relationship between J & R. I already love both Joan Fontaine & Orson Welles, so maybe that's why I'm painting them so favorably. I thought they both suited their characters perfectly. Jane is purported to be "plain" and "little" constantly in the book, and Joan Fontaine satisfies the need for a face that looks good on screen, but without turning the character into a voluptuous goddess. The same goes for Orson Welles; Rochester is supposed to be handsome in a stern and fierce way, not a pretty boy. And with that VOICE, *sigh*, Welles certainly is fierce!

Among the main reasons this 1946 Robert Stevenson film version still remains the definitive filmed dramatization are its spectacular sets and great shadowy Expressionist cinematography; Thornfield is imagined here as a great Gothic dream of a place, with turrets and crenellations and stone fireplaces and great windows that could never exist in real life. It's much more of a dream of a great house than any mansion could be, even Haddon hall (the supposed inspiration for the house in Charlotte Bronte's novel, and used for locations for the Fraco Zeffirelli film version). Orson Welles is the best Mr. Rochester there's ever been, which is remarkable considering the number of other first rate actors who have played the role, from George C. Scott to Timothy Dalton to Thoby Stephens, and Jane Fontaine is much better (and less wimpy) than you'd expect in the title role. The production also features three terrific child actresses: Peggy Ann Garner as the young Jane, Elizabeth Taylor (in one of her best early roles) as Helen Burns, and Margaret O'Brien as the annoyingly coquettish Adele Varens. The final third part of the novel, with St. Johns Rivers and his sisters, is absent, but in movie terms it's amazing how little you'll miss it, (unless you're a purist); conversely, Stevenson and the adaptors (who include Aldous Huxley and John Houseman) fortunately kept the most salient horrifying episodes at Lowood with Mr. Brocklehurst, Jane's rigid early nemesis. This film was part of the craze for "prestige" British literary adaptations that struck Hollywood in the late 30s and early 40s, and it's one of the very best.

BRILLIANT! Without any doubt the best film version of Jane Eyre imo - Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine at their very best. A great story, a great film and an amazing writer in Charlotte Bronte. The sound and picture are excellent when you take into account the age of the film, very good restoration.

I brought this for my wifeAfter she see it on tvShe says it’s a wonderful filmWell acted. Top rate powerful castAnd. Recommens it

It was a Christmas gift for my mother, she requested it so I'm assuming she loves it. Ha! Who am I kidding, she's watched this film probably 1000 times and thinks it's wonderful every single time. As for if it plays well hardware wise, I've had no complaints so I'm going to say it's working just fine. Thanks, my mother is chuffed with it 👍🏼

I enjoyed this version of Jane Eyre although it is not my favourite.

As described