Jezebel (1938)

Takes my breath away every time...

Bette Davis is a goddess, or at least she was. We all know this and if you are not yet acquainted with her prestige line of film performances then I urge you to load up your Netflix queue this very instant. That said, `Jezebel' sports not only one of her finest (Oscar winning) performances but it also serves to be one of the greatest films she every lent her talent to. It was Warner Brothers answer to `Gone with the Wind' (or should I say their answer to Davis' longing for the role of Scarlett O'Hara) and to be completely honest I actually tend to feel that `Jezebel' is the better film.

Please, don't hate me.

The film takes play in the early 1850's in a Louisiana town where a young, headstrong woman shakes up the locals and brings dire consequences on those she loves dearest. Young Julie is a very strong-willed woman who tends to allow her pride to get in the way of her better judgment. Engaged to Preston Dillard, a young and successful businessman, Julie finds herself under the watchful eye of everyone around her, including her aunt Belle. When her independent nature finally pushes Preston out of her life she vows to change her ways and win him back, but when he finally returns to town with a new bride on his arm Julie may have to think of a more clever (albeit dastardly) way of winning him back.

The events that unfold within this tragic yet beautiful story are at times shattering, but the script is so elegantly written and that acting is so powerful that one is not allowed to fully crumble. We are carried along with the ups and downs of the characters but never allowed to crash as they meet their fates.

In other words; as devastating as the outcomes may be, this film is far from a downer.

Bette Davis delivers a knockout performance as Julie (our `Jezebel'), capturing her characters innocent selfishness; her desire to be the center of attention and command her mans love and admiration even if it means bucking his authority. She is a force, a dynamic star burning bright on each and every frame. Henry Fonda is also well used here, delivering a strong performance as Preston, the man torn by his love of a woman and his pride as a man. Both George Brent and Fay Banter are remarkable in their supporting roles as the two people in Julie's life who truly look out for her. As her aunt Belle, Banter is splendidly maternal, and as Buck, the man smitten with Julie in ways she'll never understand, Brent is memorable and charming.

`Jezebel' may not carry the epic scope that a film like `Gone with the Wind' carries, but as a human character study or a deep-seated film filled with genuine emotional impact I feel that `Jezebel' reaches that goal with greater results. Truth be told, I have not personally seen `Gone with the Wind' in quite a long time (mostly because my initial response to the film was less than I expected) but I have seen `Jezebel' numerous times, and each time is better than the last. September 15, 2008

Good choice

I buy this dvd in Amazon, because in Brasil is not avaiable. It's ok and the dvd is great. No damages and fast delivery.
two thumbs up. July 18, 2008

Jezebel

All I can say is that they don't make movies like that, it was wonderful and the digital remastering of the dvd was impressive.. July 14, 2008

Not my favorite Bette Davis film

3.5 stars. I'm a big Bette Davis fan, but the script left me wanting. The whole time I was watching this, I kept making comparisons to Gone with the Wind- just a old campier version. I'm not crazy about films that lay the troubles of the world at the feet of women-especially when the biggest crime she committed was to wear a red dress to a ball-which in a B&W film the whole red dress thing loses it's impact. Just when the film was getting real interesting, the credits roll and I'm looking around to see whether there was a second disc missing. That's it? You're kidding me. Again, I LOOOOVE Bette Davis and this was a decent performance by both her a Henry Fonda (the Ashley character) but I just didn't care for this script like I'd hoped I would.

June 28, 2008

Jezebel Review

It was a little expensive for the product but shipping was cheap and swift so I was pleased overall with the expierience. May 29, 2008

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