Rebecca Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman marries a rich dude with baggage, and his creepy housekeeper is way too attached to his dead wife, so arson is the only logical solution.

🍿 Rebecca: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Monte Carlo Romance

A young, unnamed woman working as a lady’s companion in Monte Carlo meets the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter. Despite their different social standings, they quickly fall in love and marry. This whirlwind romance sets the stage for the challenges that await the new Mrs. de Winter.

Arrival at Manderley

Maxim brings his new bride to his ancestral estate, Manderley, in Cornwall. The imposing mansion and its staff immediately overwhelm her. The housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, is cold and unwelcoming, fostering an atmosphere of unease and intimidation. This is compounded by the ever-present memory of Maxim’s deceased first wife, Rebecca.

The Shadow of Rebecca

The new Mrs. de Winter struggles to find her place at Manderley, constantly overshadowed by the idealized memory of Rebecca. Mrs. Danvers actively fuels her insecurities, preserving Rebecca’s room as a shrine and reminding her of Rebecca’s beauty and accomplishments. The young woman begins to doubt her marriage and feels increasingly isolated.

Secrets and Revelations

As the new Mrs. de Winter tries to assert herself, she uncovers disturbing secrets about Rebecca’s life and death. These revelations lead to a series of dramatic events, including the discovery of Rebecca’s body and a police investigation that threatens to expose dark truths about Maxim’s past.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• ‘Maxim’ de Winter (Laurence Olivier): A wealthy and brooding widower haunted by the memory of his deceased wife, Rebecca.
• Mrs. de Winter (Joan Fontaine): A naive and insecure young woman who marries Maxim and struggles to find her place in his grand estate.
• Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson): The sinister and intensely loyal housekeeper obsessed with the late Rebecca, creating a hostile environment for the new Mrs. de Winter.
• Jack Favell (George Sanders): Rebecca’s sleazy cousin who tries to blackmail Maxim and uncover the truth about her death.
• Frank Crawley (Reginald Denny): Maxim’s loyal and supportive estate manager who helps uncover the truth.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mrs. Danvers: “She’s everywhere. I feel her all about the house. I feel her…even in this room.” – Mrs. Danvers describes Rebecca’s lingering presence at Manderley to the new Mrs. de Winter, emphasizing the psychological weight of the past.
• Maxim de Winter: “You haven’t any experiences?” – Maxim’s probing question highlights the vulnerability of the new Mrs. de Winter and hints at his desire for someone uncomplicated.
• Mrs. Danvers: “Why don’t you go? Why don’t you leave Manderley? He doesn’t love you. He wants to be alone again with her.” – Mrs. Danvers attempts to drive the new Mrs. de Winter to despair by convincing her that she can never replace Rebecca.
• Mrs. Danvers: “Her clothes are still hanging in her room. Sometimes I go in there and I sit and think about her.” – Mrs. Danvers reveals her obsession with Rebecca, underscoring the almost shrine-like quality of Rebecca’s preserved space.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.288M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $113.328K

💥 Rebecca Reviews

Personal Review

Oh, ‘Rebecca’! This movie just gets under your skin. The whole atmosphere of Manderley is so thick with secrets and shadows, you can practically feel it. I was completely captivated by Joan Fontaine; she just perfectly portrays the new Mrs. de Winter’s vulnerability. That scene where Mrs. Danvers shows her Rebecca’s room? Absolutely chilling! I felt so uneasy for her. It’s a film that sticks with you long after the credits roll, making you question who you trust. A cinematic masterpiece!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Alfred Hitchcock”
  • “Lovers of Gothic romances”
  • “Viewers interested in suspenseful psychological thrillers”
  • “Audiences who enjoy classic films”
  • “People who appreciate strong female characters dealing with intense emotional and social challenges”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide attempts”
  • “Murder”
  • “Emotional abuse”
  • “Themes of manipulation and obsession”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Hitchcock’s American debut is a triumph of atmosphere and suspense. Fontaine delivers a career-defining performance as the fragile Mrs. de Winter, while Anderson’s Mrs. Danvers is chillingly unforgettable. A masterclass in psychological drama.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Rebecca is a gothic masterpiece, fueled by strong performances and Hitchcock’s signature suspense. Olivier brings a brooding intensity to Maxim, and the film’s exploration of jealousy and secrets keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Audience Reactions

Judith Anderson’s performance as Mrs. Danvers is absolutely iconic and terrifying.: The chilling atmosphere, the amazing acting, and suspenseful plot twist.

Overall Consensus: A classic psychological thriller with outstanding performances and a haunting atmosphere.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Picture)- 1941
2. Academy Award (Best Cinematography, Black-and-White)- 1941

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Alfred Hitchcock felt that ‘Rebecca’ was more of a Selznick production than a true Hitchcock film due to David O. Selznick’s heavy involvement and control over the project.”
• “Laurence Olivier was reportedly difficult to work with, as he wanted Vivien Leigh (his wife at the time) to play the part of Mrs. de Winter, and he treated Joan Fontaine with disdain on set.”
• “To enhance Judith Anderson’s performance as Mrs. Danvers, Alfred Hitchcock instructed her to rarely blink her eyes, adding to the character’s unsettling and intense presence.”
• “The exteriors of Manderley were actually a scale model, as were some of the scenes involving the cliffs. This was a common practice in filmmaking at the time, but the execution in ‘Rebecca’ is particularly well done.”

🖥️ How to Watch Rebecca?

Rebecca (1940) is available for streaming and purchase on multiple platforms. You can find it on demand via Amazon Prime Video. It is also rentable or purchasable on Apple TV. Check local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rebecca, you might like these similar films:

• Gaslight (1944): Both films explore the psychological manipulation of a woman by those around her, creating a suspenseful and claustrophobic atmosphere.
• Suspicion (1941): Another Hitchcock film starring Joan Fontaine, focusing on a woman’s growing suspicion that her husband is planning to kill her. Shares similar themes of mistrust and paranoia.
• The Others (2001): A modern gothic thriller with a similar atmosphere of dread and secrets in a large, isolated house, as well as a focus on a female protagonist haunted by the past.
• Jane Eyre (2011): Another adaptation of a Gothic novel where a governess falls for her brooding employer while uncovering dark secrets surrounding his past and estate.

🛒 Rebecca Related Products

• Rebecca (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A pristine, high-definition restoration of Hitchcock’s masterpiece, packed with bonus features and insightful commentary. A must-own for any serious film collector.
• Daphne du Maurier: Rebecca: Paperback Edition of Daphne du Maurier’s gothic novel, Rebecca. Dive into a world of secrets, jealousy, and mystery with this classic gothic novel. Explore the dark corners of Manderley with this literary masterpiece.
• Manderley Estates Candle: Inspired by the dark gothic estate Manderley from Rebecca. The fragrance blends dark amber with hints of rose and violet.

🎧 Soundtrack

Rebecca features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Franz Waxman
• “Mrs. Danvers” – performed by Franz Waxman
• “Love’s Old Sweet Song (Just a Song at Twilight)” – performed by J.L. Molloy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Rebecca (2020): Movie Review and Detailed Analysis

Looking for an in-depth review of the new ‘Rebecca’ adaptation? Check out this video essay that dissects the movie’s faithfulness to the book, its technical merits, and its overall impact.

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