13. Rebecca (1940)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine

Other Oscar Wins: Best Cinematography

Other Oscar Nominations: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Laurence Olivier), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Joan Fontaine), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Judith Anderson), Best Director, Best Writing, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Effects, Best Score

Favourite Line: "Please promise me never to wear black satin or pearls... or to be 36 years old."

Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier in Rebecca.

 Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, based on the novel by Daphne Du Maurier, is the story of the shy second wife of Maxim de Winter, who is haunted by the memory of his first wife, the beautiful and popular Rebecca.

Rebecca is an exceptionally well done film, full of romance, mystery and suspense, and with some wonderful and interesting twists along the way. This is an incredible piece of storytelling, which keeps the viewer captivated throughout.

The most astonishing thing about this film, that I found, was that the character of Rebecca de Winter herself, has an astounding presence throughout the film. It feels as though she is always there, even though she is never seen, not even in a photograph. All we see of the title character is her signature, and her monogram on several items around the house. To be able to create that sort of presence for an absent character is simply brilliant, and really shows Hitchcock's undeniable ability as a director.

Art by Olly Moss.

The acting in this picture is also very impressive, having earned three acting nominations at the Oscars that year. Joan Fontaine's portrayal of the second Mrs. de Winter is lovely, and you really feel for her shyness and uneasiness. Apparently her sense of unease is partly due to the fact that Fontaine herself felt that she was not liked on the set, having not been the first choice for the role. In fact, over 20 actresses were tested for the role, including Vivien Leigh. The most impressive performance, however, I found to be Laurence Olivier as the reclusive and mysterious Maxim de Winter. His monologue describing the final night of Rebecca's life is so compelling and intriguing, and makes for my favourite overall scene of the film.

Rebecca is a wonderful film, and definitely one worth seeing more than once.