“There are so many conflicting degrees of authorship–anywhere between Alfred Hitchcock, Daphne Du Maurier, and you may David O. Selznick–because of it 1940 flick are an entire achievement, however, making use of their first couple of-thirds it is because perfect a misconception of puberty while the any of your Disney clips, documenting new childlike, nameless heroine’s initiation on adult mysteries regarding sex, passing, and identity, plus the impossibility away from getting back together these types of forces which have loved ones strictures.” — Dave Kehr, Chicago Audience
“A marvelous exemplory instance of the new theatre because the a greatest storyteller. Sherwood and Joan Harrison. ” – Leslie Halliwell, The brand new Filmgoer’s Partner
“Daphne Du Maurier’s very smaller top seller. turned into a tale from worry and you will shame, strength and group. What makes the film doubly fascinating was Hitchcock’s anxiety about women, and in what way it is outside the easy limitations regarding story. A great riveting or painful film.” – Helen MacKintosh, TimeOut Motion picture Guide
“Brand new sheer, swooning satisfaction that movie provides – their melodrama, its relationship, the extravagant possibility – helps it be a necessity-pick. it really is an excellent masterclass inside artistry. The newest atic conditions, and you can shows one thing rare in every motion picture from any months: emails exactly who changes, as they are satisfyingly seen to do so during the story. An extraordinary cast try circular regarding of the George Sanders, to try out Rebecca’s caddish cousin: once again, a superb lightness and you will virility throughout the pretending, and you will, once again, particular superb suitings. A pleasant eliminate in one regarding cinema’s pros. Not to getting overlooked.” – Peter Bradshaw, Brand new Protector
“Taking-in Lyle Wheeler’s unique indoor kits (it dwarf Fontaine’s shy profile) and an incredibly caddish turn of good blackmailing George Sanders, Rebecca sweeps the new viewer along in order to an incendiary end.” – Thomas Dawson, BBC
“Attempt like a headache motion picture and you will featuring Olivier among minimum of sympathetic heroes about Hitchcock canon, Rebecca is the reason smart extrapolation into layouts inherited regarding blond thrillers and you may Bronte novels allows the fresh new manager first off good suspenseful relationship you to barely has actually its subtext beneath the facial skin, and you will smuggle inside a story of just one female’s immersion on the sexual hopes of their own era. Rebecca may not be a good Hitchcock image, but it is tough to imagine everything we today remember while the an excellent Hitchcock image without it.” – Keith Phipps, The new Onion An excellent. V. Club
Critics’ Place – Rebecca
Prizes & Honors The brand new National Panel regarding Opinion placed Rebecca tenth to the the ten-best listing to own 1940, towards the Red grapes from Wrath within first. However they indexed Joan Fontaine’s as among the year’s greatest activities. Rebecca claimed eleven Oscar® nominations — Best Picture, Ideal Director, Better Star (Laurence Olivier), Best Celebrity (Fontaine), Finest Supporting Actress (Judith Anderson), Finest Screenplay, Greatest Cinematography, Most readily useful Editing, Most readily useful Rating, Top Artwork Assistance and greatest Visual Consequences. Adopting the 1939’s Went to the Snap, this was the second season in a row producer David O. Selznick had lead the movie with the most nominations. Rebecca’s competition having Better Picture are formidable and you will provided New Grapes out-of Wrath, The newest Philadelphia Facts, The favorable Dictator and Hitchcock’s individual Foreign Correspondent.
Adjust his Oscar® chances, Selznick hosted a great “re-premiere” out-of Rebecca during the the next-run house when you look at the Los angeles your day brand new nominations was basically revealed
The guy actually got the fresh new governor away from Ca to help you lso are-identity Hollywood Boulevard “Rebecca Boulevard” throughout the day. Rebecca took Better Visualize, the actual only real instance prize getting good Hitchcock film, and greatest Filming. Hitchcock forgotten brand new leading prize so you’re able to John Ford towards Grapes off Wrath. Olivier missing Finest Actor in order to James Stewart regarding Philadelphia Facts, while you are Ginger Rogers for the Kitty Foyle beat Fontaine getting Most useful Celebrity. The new CRITICS’ Corner “Rebecca try a creative success whoever b. Dave Selznick’s image is just too heartbreaking and you will profoundly emotional to hit the fancy off greater audience attract. It can receive interest regarding critics and you may class patronage once the an enthusiastic illustration of the power in the story drama off brilliant screen portraiture hottest Brody girl, but general watchers will case it as a long-drawn out drama that may have been informed better from inside the less video footage.