Well made entertainment

DVD talk reviews the DVD edition of Wuthering Heights 1967:

This 1967 BBC adaptation of "Wuthering Heights" was my first exposure to the famous (and sole) story by Emily Bronte, sister of Charlotte. I would have likely passed this production by altogether had it not been for the film's lead actor, a very young Ian McShane. In doing a bit of research on the novel and previous attempts at adapting it to television and film, I found that this adaptation had the distinction of being one of the longest, clocking it at a hair over three hours. The three major motion picture adaptations, all came at nearly 104 minutes exactly, and the more recent adaptation starring Tom Hardy, produced for public television falls in between those film versions and this one, at 142 minutes. After finishing this adaptation, it became very clear that material cut from these shorter films, end up making this, I dare say, epic production a much more faithful telling of Bronte's novel.
Divided into four, 45 minute episodes, "Wuthering Heights" spans roughly three decades telling the story of Heathcliff (Ian McShane), one of the most complex and mysterious characters I've witnessed put on screen. Heathcliff comes into the lives of the Earnshaws as a young Gypsy boy, found by the patriarch of the family on his return home to his wife and two children, Hindley and Catherine. The family is instantly opposed to the addition of this feral looking child, and over the course of Heathcliff's young life, he is the victim of constant abuse from Hindley and the snickering Catherine. The first installment in this adaptation sets the stage for the following three episodes by unfolding the events of the Earnshaw children's lives as late teens. If there is a single weak link in the entire production it is here, with the principal cast failing to convincingly play 16 and 17 year olds. Angela Scoular's portrayal of a young Catherine is almost unsettling, as she clearly looks 10 years older than the character she is playing.
This misstep winds up hurting the beginning of the second episode in which Heathcliff returns from a self-imposed exile to unfold an intricate, chilling plot of revenge on not only the life of former tormentor Hindley, but also the family Catherine married into on his absence. McShane manages to find a firm hold on the character in these latter episodes, but it remains hard to convincingly understand why he has any feelings for Catherine in the first place. Whether it due to Bronte's original creation of the Catherine character or Scoular's shrill performance, the viewer will fight the urge to yell at Heathcliff to leave these miserable people and make his own life.
Fortunately, once Heathcliff firmly sinks his talons into key figures at both Wuthering Heights (his family home) and Thrushcross Grange (the home of Catherine's husband Edgar Linton), the viewer finds out how delicious such a vile tale can be. McShane slowly transforms from the heartsick, object of pity, to an obsessed, morally absent, master manipulator. It's never quite clear whether Heathcliff's actions are the result of a cunning psychopath or simply a man consumed by his own sorrow, driven to madness. At his worst, McShane's performance shows shades of the fierce intensity that would be more fully developed as Al Swearengen on "Deadwood." However, I dare say Heathcliff is a far more frightening presence than Swearengen, despite the latter's known proclivities to murder.
Heathcliff's manipulation of anyone and everyone remind me of one of modern television's most infamous soap opera villain's, Victor Newman. In fact, the plot of love, betrayal, power and revenge that populates "Wuthering Heights" shows up on a regular basis in the modern soap opera. They are timeless themes, and here, they are played out in full, even up until the final, chilling scene. I defy anyone who hasn't read nor seen an adaptation of this story to be able to guess what Heathcliff will do next; there is no depth to which he won't sink; using his sick, dying son as a pawn in his mad game is just one of many sins he commits.
Peter Sasdy completes the puzzle as director of this adaptation and manages to spice things up with some small, but effective filming techniques. I didn't expect much in terms of camera work or editing on a BBC television production from over 40 years ago, but there are moments in "Wuthering Heights" that makes one wonder how polished a production Sasdy could have unleashed on the big screen. Despite the shaky performances in the first episode involving Heathcliff and Catherine's stunning, quick forming romance, these scenes remain memorable due to Sasdy's variety of camera shots. His work ranges from close-ups of the couple sharing intimate conversation, to wide shots where the duo remain a speck on the barren landscape, conveying the sense that at this moment, they are alone in their love. Heathcliff's return from exile is an additional highlight, shot first person with each of our principal characters reactions being shown raw and unembellished. Mostly though, Sasdy knows how to frame characters in a scene and use close-ups to add emotional or thematic emphasis.
"Wuthering Heights" is by no means a mainstream production. It's considerable length, and slow, unfolding plot is likely to fall flat on mainstream tastes. However, for fans of slow burns and character studies, it's a treat to say the least. I can't say this is a 100% faithful adaptation, as I've yet to read the novel, but it's a compelling enough production that has instilled great interest in me to check out this legendary tale. In short, it's good, well made entertainment. (Nick Hartel)

The reviewer also talks about Jane Eyre 1983 and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall 1996 also included in The Brontë Collection Box Set.

The New Jersey Star-Leger reviews Katia Labèque's latest album:

Yet her take on Bernard Hermann’s haunted interlude “Meditation,” from his opera “Wuthering Heights,” is a gem. (Bradley Bambarger)

Chortle reviews the History Girls show with special attention to their Brontë sketches:

Exactly their name suggests, The History Girls apply an appealingly daft wit to historical figures – most notably 19th Century romantic writers from the Yorkshire Moors. A sort of Brontë Python, if you like.
Their debut show has its peaks and troughs, but boasts a distinctive sense of offbeat humour, confidently playful performances and a rare professionalism. There can’t be many fringe comedy shows with the wardrobe budget this trio require. (...)
Their Brontë sisters have some fine moments, too, although the sketch about coming up with the Wuthering Heights title which they’ve posted as a calling-card on YouTube isn’t their best.
Having Boudica perform a ‘boudi-licious’ rap is less original, and a similar scene in which a couple of Brontës bump and grind while supposedly being taught the etiquette of formal dancing, executes a near-identical idea much better. (Megan Heffernan)

The Tampa Tribune examines the benefits and wonders of reading since childhood:

Introduce adolescents to Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and Ray Bradbury; to Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters and Lucy Maud Montgomery. In this way, when in later years they recall a mysterious man inked head to toe in unsettling pictures, or a precocious orphan with flowing copper hair and outlandish schemes, they will hear the voice of an especially beloved grownup. (Tom Jackson)

The Columbia Spectator reviews the theatre play ReImagined by Ameneh Bordi & Amanda Stoffel

From "Peter Pan" to "Jane Eyre," childhood stories and undergraduate literature alike ponder the question of what it means to grow up. (Melissa von Mayrhauser)

The John Hopkins News-letter talks about the use of pseudonyms and mentions the Brontës. USA Today classes Wuthering Heights among literary love triangles.

An alert from Putnam Valley, the Putnam Valley High School PTSA organizes a talk about Wuthering Heights at the High School Library (7:30 PM).

On the blogosphere. Jane Eyre-related posts: Reading According to Allie and Nutmeg Angel. Onebadrabbit has posted a bookcover for Jane Eyre. Lanier's Books explains how her bookclub has not liked Agnes Grey (but she does). Posts about Wuthering Heights: Kimberly Loomis's Blog and Laura's Book Blog. So Many Books, So Little Time interviews author Hayley Long:

2. Who were your favourite authors as a teenager? Are they different to your current favourites?
That’s a good question. Who were they? [Insert long hard think] I used to read all the time. Anything I could get my hands on. I loved The Hobbit by Tolkien and I loved stuff by the Brontë sisters, particularly Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. There was A LOT of angst and drama in those books. Although, at the time, I completely missed the point that the men in those novels are all pretty much selfish or useless. I actually thought Heathcliff was sweet! I read Wuthering Heights again a few years ago and was shocked by how incredibly vile he is. What on earth did Cathy see in him?

Finally, some blogs have joined the All About the Brontës Challenge 2010: Behind the Scenes with Becky, Bibliofreak and English Major's Junk Food.

Categories: Agnes Grey, Brontëites, Jane Eyre, Humour, Movies-DVD-TV, Music, Theatre, Wuthering Heights