🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: William Wyler
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Release year: 1939
- Runtime (length): 1h 44min
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10 (28K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A brooding dude and a social climber ruin everyone’s lives because they can’t decide if they want love or money, then haunt the moors forever.
🍿 Wuthering Heights: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Arrival of Heathcliff
Mr. Earnshaw brings a young, orphaned Heathcliff to Wuthering Heights, his Yorkshire farmhouse. Hindley, Earnshaw’s son, immediately resents Heathcliff, but Cathy, Earnshaw’s daughter, develops a strong bond with him. They grow up together, exploring the moors and becoming inseparable.

Class Differences and Cathy’s Choice
As they grow older, class differences begin to drive a wedge between Cathy and Heathcliff. Cathy is drawn to the refined Edgar Linton, son of a wealthy neighbor. She recognizes that marrying Edgar would elevate her social standing, something Heathcliff cannot offer. The social pressure is immense, influencing Cathy’s complex decisions.

Heathcliff’s Departure and Return
Overhearing Cathy confess to Nelly that marrying Heathcliff would be ‘degrading,’ but that she loves him, Heathcliff, heartbroken and feeling betrayed, leaves Wuthering Heights. He disappears for several years. When he returns, he is wealthy and determined to seek revenge on those who wronged him.

Revenge and Tragedy
Heathcliff’s return brings turmoil to Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, the Linton’s estate. He manipulates and seeks revenge on Hindley, Edgar, and even those who are innocent. Cathy, caught between her love for Heathcliff and her marriage to Edgar, becomes increasingly ill, leading to a tragic climax.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Cathy (Merle Oberon): Cathy is a passionate and headstrong woman torn between her love for Heathcliff and her desire for social status.
- Heathcliff (Laurence Olivier): Heathcliff is a brooding and vengeful man driven by his intense, all-consuming love for Cathy.
- Edgar (David Niven): Edgar is a wealthy and kind man who offers Cathy stability and social standing, but not the passion she craves.
- Ellen Dean (Flora Robson): Ellen Dean is the observant and loyal housekeeper who narrates the tragic story of Wuthering Heights.
- Hindley (Hugh Williams): Hindley is Cathy’s resentful brother, whose mistreatment of Heathcliff fuels the latter’s desire for revenge.
- Isabella (Geraldine Fitzgerald): Isabella is Edgar’s sister and a naive young woman who becomes a pawn in Heathcliff’s vengeful schemes.
- Earnshaw (Cecil Kellaway): Mr. Earnshaw is Cathy and Hindley’s father who brings Heathcliff into their home, setting the stage for the unfolding tragedy.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Heathcliff: “Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest so long as I live on! I killed you. Haunt me, then! Haunt your murderer!” – Heathcliff’s anguished cry at Cathy’s grave, expressing his torment and undying love.
- Heathcliff: “I cannot live without my life! I cannot die without my soul.” – This quote shows Heathcliff’s dependence on Cathy and his feeling that he is incomplete without her.
- Cathy: “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” – Cathy expresses the deep, inseparable connection she feels with Heathcliff.
- Cathy: “It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him.” – Cathy’s explanation to Nelly, revealing her internal conflict between love and social ambition.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $1.2 million
- Domestic Gross: $624,643
- Worldwide Gross: $624,643
💥 Wuthering Heights Reviews
Personal Review
I was blown away by Wuthering Heights. Olivier’s Heathcliff is magnetic, and the story is so tragic and beautiful. The cinematography is stunning, especially the scenes on the moors. It’s a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll, and makes you believe in the power of tragic love.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of classic literature”
- “Viewers interested in tragic romance”
- “Those who appreciate gothic dramas”
- “Movie buffs who love Golden Age of Hollywood films”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Themes of abuse”
- “Death”
- “Emotional distress”
- “Implied suicide”
Professional Reviews
- The New York Times: “Wuthering Heights, with its sweeping landscapes and powerful performances, is a cinematic triumph. Olivier embodies Heathcliff’s torment, and Oberon captures Cathy’s conflicted soul. The film’s romanticism and tragedy resonate deeply, making it a lasting masterpiece.
- Variety: “A superb adaptation of Bronte’s novel, Wuthering Heights benefits from strong direction and exceptional performances. While some liberties are taken with the source material, the film’s emotional core remains intact, delivering a compelling and unforgettable experience.
- AllMovie: “William Wyler’s Wuthering Heights is a gothic romance masterpiece. The film’s stark cinematography and passionate performances create an atmosphere of haunting beauty. A must-see for fans of classic cinema and tragic love stories.
Audience Reactions
The film adaptation captures the essence of the novel and stays true to the overall vibe.: Viewers consistently applaud the film’s atmosphere, performances, and visual beauty.
Olivier’s and Oberon’s performances are breathtaking and heartbreaking.: Many praise the chemistry between the leads and their ability to convey deep emotion.
Overall Consensus: A timeless classic, cherished for its haunting beauty, powerful performances, and tragic love story.
Awards
- Academy Award (Best Cinematography, Black-and-White)- 1940
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Laurence Olivier was initially unhappy with the role of Heathcliff, as he considered himself more suited to the role of Edgar Linton. He reportedly clashed with director William Wyler over Wyler’s meticulous direction.”
- “Gregg Toland won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on the film, masterfully capturing the bleak and haunting atmosphere of the Yorkshire moors in black and white.”
- “The film only covers the first half of Emily Brontë’s novel, focusing on the younger generation of characters and ending with Cathy’s death. The second half of the novel, concerning the next generation, was omitted.”
- “Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier’s wife at the time, desperately wanted to play the role of Cathy. However, producer Samuel Goldwyn chose Merle Oberon instead.”
🖥️ How to Watch Wuthering Heights?
Wuthering Heights (1939) is available for purchase or rent on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Wuthering Heights, you might like these similar films:
- Jane Eyre (1943): Another classic literary adaptation featuring a passionate, gothic romance with social class themes.
- Rebecca (1940): Features a brooding gothic atmosphere, a Byronic hero with a dark past, and themes of jealousy and obsession.
- Great Expectations (1946): Portrays class differences and the social constraints affecting love, during the same period as Wuthering Heights, also adapted from a novel.
- The English Patient (1996): A sweeping romantic drama with tragic love set against a historical backdrop. Explores themes of passion, loss, and the destructive force of obsession.
🛒 Wuthering Heights Related Products
- Wuthering Heights (Penguin Classics): The complete novel upon which the film is based, with insightful introductions and notes.
- Wuthering Heights (Blu-ray): Experience the beauty of the film in stunning high definition, with bonus features.
- Yorkshire Moors National Park Map: A detailed map of the Yorkshire Moors, the dramatic landscape that inspired Wuthering Heights.
- Moors & Heather Scented Candle: Immerse yourself in the atmospheric landscape with this scented candle capturing Yorkshire’s scent.
🎧 Soundtrack
Wuthering Heights features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Cathy’s Theme” – performed by Alfred Newman
- “Piano Sonata in A major, K.331: Rondo alla Turca” – performed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Wuthering Heights (1939) was filmed primarily at Janss Conejo Ranch in Thousand Oaks, California, USA. The location provided the sweeping landscapes needed to represent the Yorkshire moors.
Wuthering Heights is a work of fiction written by Emily Brontë. While the story is not based on real events, some scholars believe that Brontë drew inspiration from the landscapes and social dynamics of Yorkshire, England, where she lived.
The main themes of Wuthering Heights include passionate love, revenge, social class, and the destructive nature of obsession. The story explores how these forces shape the lives and relationships of the characters.
🔥 Bonus Content
Wuthering Heights – Thug Notes Summary and Analysis
Ever wondered what ‘Wuthering Heights’ is *really* about? This Thug Notes summary breaks it down in a way that’s both hilarious and insightful. Trust me, you’ll finally ‘get’ the whole Heathcliff and Cathy drama after watching this!
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