Wuthering Heights (1998)

This brilliant adaptation of Emily Brontë's timeless tale breaks new ground by covering the complete story of a love so powerful that it reaches beyond the grave. Orla Brady (The Rector's Wife, Proof) stars as literature's most controversial heroine, the spirited, but tragic Cathy. Robert Cavanah (Cracker, Cadfael) plays Heathcliff, the dark stranger whose love for Cathy leads him to take terrible revenge on anyone who comes between them.

Nothing is known of Heathcliff's mysterious past when kindly Mr. Earnshaw adopts him into his family, but his daughter Cathy sees in him a soul very much like her own. They are divided by birth, class, and Cathy's jealous brother, but nothing can break the bond between them- not even when Cathy marries the wealthy gentleman Edgar Linton. Yet there are forces in nature that seem to be even more powerful than their love.

Really good version of the book

I've read the book "Wuthering Heights" many times and it's my favorite love story, so passionate and real. So I wanted to see an appropriate film version to this wonderful book. And I must admit, that this film completely catches the spirit and atmosphere of the book. I think it's very difficult to play the leading roles, especially the complicated Heathcliff's charachter. It's very hard not to make Heathcliff too human and otherwise not too savage. He is not a romantic hero and it's hard to show his vulnerability and passionate love for Catherine and his dark, cruel and vengeful nature at the same time. But I was pleasingly surprised. Robert Cavanah unbelievably well plays this role and the other actors are really good too. This film is really for those who love "Wuthering Heights". May 20, 2008

Wuthering Heights / Masterpiece Theater 1998

Wuthering Heights can be a little confusing. I found this version easier to follow and the characters easier to understand. Very good effort. January 8, 2008

Brilliant!

Has anyone who has reviewed this film observed the moment in the film when Heathcliff, as an adult, gazes down at the entrance to the cave where he and Cathy played together as children, and sees Cathy as a child? At the same moment, Cathy turns up to see his adult figure silouetted against the Sun. For one almost imperceptable moment, they see each other across time. The addition of this scene to the film, not in the book, is a stroke of absolute genius! And this film tells the entire story, including Heathcliff digging up Cathy's grave to hold her corpse in him arms - love which make you insane. Brilliant film and story! Emily Bronte is truly a literary giant! October 23, 2007

Characters way too old for their parts

The movie is ok. The movie's characters are way too old and not properly cast in the movie. Heathcliff and Cathy are young -- not near 40 ! Nelly is of their age - not an apparant 40-year old as shown in the movie! Joseph is written to be crass and you can imagine him an old, somewhat haggard man of poor speech - not a handsome, erect, well spoken servant. It was not well done at all. For passion and more believable characters, watch Timothy Dalton as Heathcliff and Anna Calder as Catherine. This movie detailed their lives from start to finish - not of the children's as continues in the book, but the passion was definitely there for the main characters. June 19, 2007

Wuthering Heights

It has been years since I seen a different version of Wuthering Heights,very good version but I forgot how disterbing this story is. Acting very good but I also bought this version because it was on Matthew Macfadyne credits he was only in about 10 minutes on film. May 14, 2007

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