Jane Eyre (1944)

WELL, WELL, WELL...

All I can say is, it is about time that this classic was on DVD. My all time favorite! October 6, 2008

Classic Favorite

This is an old classic that I have been wanting for a long time. Actors are very well suited for their parts, although Fontaine is a little lacking in hers, however, this is her style in most of her films.Thanks for chance to own it and watch it when I can. September 2, 2008

Mesmerizing Gothic Romance

"Do you think I could stay here to become nothing to you?" -- Jane to Edward


This magnificent Gothic drama based on Charlotte Bronte's famous novel is perfect in every way. Robert Stevenson, who helped Alduous Huxley and John Housman adapt Brnote's classic work to the screen, may have been credited with directing this brooding masterpiece but, once again, Orson Welles' signature is everywhere. George Barnes photographed Fontaine to beautiful advantage once again as he had in Hitchcock's Rebecca. And Bernard Herrmann's atmospheric score is one of his finest.

Peggy Ann Garner, so wonderful as Francie in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, is equally memorable as the young Jane. She lives with Miss Reed (Agnes Moorehead) in an unhappy house where love has been replaced by cruelty. When she believes she is getting her freedom by being shuffled off to school, her dreams of the coming joys are shattered immediately upon discovering it is more of an institution. Young Jane will find one friend there in Helen, played nicely by an already captivating Elizabeth Taylor.

The cruel hand of Henry Daniell will lead to tragedy for the friends, however, and for her remaining years there Jane can only dream of being loved by someone. Breaking away to work as a governess to the adorable Adele (Margaret O'Brien) at Thornfield, she is confronted by a man whose romantic misfortunes are much greater and far graver than anyone knows. Welles' performance as the erratic and moody Edward Rochester seems odd until we learn the secret in the tower which is at the heart of his torment and this film.

Fontaine gives a winsome performance as Jane Eyre, whose heart has never felt the warmth of love from another. But she has the ability to love, and falls for the enigmatic Edward, whom she believes is out of her reach. The audience is slowly drawn in to Edward's world and that of Thornfield just as Jane, and therefor understands her resolve to stand by her employer despite his dark secret. It will finally come between them them at the alter. Only when she returns to Thornfield in the aftermath of the inevitable does the stormy sky which has hung over her chance for happiness finally begin to clear.

Jane Eyre is intense and mesmerizing, and perhaps the finest example of a brooding Gothic style drama ever put on celluloid. Joan Fontaine was always magnificent portraying characters such as Jane Eyre and, though there has been much debate over the years about Welles' approach to Edward, it proves to be memorable nonetheless. His uncredited work behind the camera turned this into a darkly romantic masterpiece. A must for film lovers. September 2, 2008

Still Fabulous After All These Years

The best production ever done of the classic Bronte novel. The epitomy of English Gothic Romance. July 6, 2008

Jane Eyre

If you ever want a wonderful heart warming movie with great feeling and acting please watch this movie. It has drama and warmth, it is one of those movies you cannot stop watching. I have enjoyed this movie many times over the years and I shall continue to do so with my new DVD. July 4, 2008

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