I haven’t read Daphne Du Maurier’s original novel by the same name which was adapted for this film; but if it is even half as good as the film, then I am sure it must be a classic. Rebecca starts as a story of a young orphan girl (Joan Fontaine) working as a companion for a rich old lady. While vacationing in Monte Carlo, the simple girl gets swept off her feet by an unexpected marriage proposal from a wealthy and handsome widower Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier). Literally plucked out of her modest obscure past, this shy girl suddenly finds herself thrust into a daunting role of being the second Mrs. de Winter and being the mistress of a sprawling Manderley Estate. Always unsure and nervous, she tries her best to please everyone but finds herself inadequate to the task.

 

The dark shadows of past seem to be hanging over entire Manderly Estate. Rebecca- (the first Mrs. De Winter) has been dead over a year, killed in a boat accident but still her presence is everywhere. Rebecca’s room, her wardrobe, her embossed stationery, her furniture- everything is kept undisturbed and in perfect order, as if everyone is expecting her to come back any moment. The overpowering presence of Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson) - the chief of house staff and a once-close confidante of Rebecca just serves to further enhance the apprehension of the second wife. Even her husband now seems to be distant and wrapped up in past memories, making her feel totally isolated and insecure. What kind of murky mysteries are waiting to be unrevealed in that huge, haunting mansion?

 

Hitchcock’s mastery over the medium is evident in practically every frame of Rebecca. It is a slowly paced film but that pace actually helps in systematic build-up of untold suspense and horror. Throughout the film the brilliantly captured and broodingly shadowy black-and-white images play all sorts of tricks on viewer’s mind to heighten the tension and drama. The nerve- shattering fiery culmination is simply unforgettable moment on screen.

 

Laurence Olivier’s restrained husband hiding from his past and Joan Fontaine’s frightened, bewildered second wife are both superb but Judith Anderson’s eerily evil Mrs. Danvers is a real chilling performance. For the trivia-buffs Rebecca was the only Hitchcock-film to win the Best Film Oscar but as Hitch himself pointed out, “David Selznick (the producer of the film) got it- not me!” It was Hitchcock’s first film in Hollywood but with an all- British cast and what brilliant film it turned out to be.