Wuthering Heights (1939)

 William Wyler's "Wuthering Heights"


Before I start speaking on William Wyler's 1939 adaptation of the 1847 Emily Bronte novel "Wuthering Heights," I would first like to say that I have not personally read Bronte's original source material. I have neither seen any other adaptation for the novel. So, my only basis for understanding of the film's plot rests entirely with this 1939 Samuel Goldwyn production. That being said, this film made me want to read the Bronte novel even more, as I felt myself being fully engaged and enraptured by the story.

The story revolves around a pair of star-crossed lovers, the aspiring upper-class Cathy and the gypsy stable boy Heathcliff. As youths, they are inseparable. They muse about the nature of their class and status and understand that wealth and privilege does not reveal humanity. However, after Cathy is courted by the wealthy Mr. Linton, she begins to disavow Heathcliff as a commoner. After she marries Mr. Linton, Heathcliff runs off to America. He returns years later as a wealthy gentleman, no longer a scruffy vagabond. The remainder of their relationship is spent tormenting each other as punishment for their separation. Heathcliff even marries Cathy's sister-in-law as a resentful punishment towards her. Cathy gets terminally ill and on her death bed, reconfesses her love for Heathcliff and he to her as well. Heathcliff spends the rest of his days at the Wuthering Heights estate, as Cathy calls to him from his window.

For some reason, I expected the film to be a typical melodramatic period romance. I mean, it certainly fits that category, but there is so much more within the depths of emotions of its characters than meets the eye. I found the film to be a lot darker and bleaker than I expected. Heathcliff's return from America is filled with imbittered resentfulness as unleashes it on everyone who ever condemned his former social position. That bitterness and resent permeates the whole film/story. It is a resent that comes from the social and class circumstances that he had found himself in and it almost seems just in its fury. As much as you root for Heathcliff to rub it in everyone's faces and make them suffer for their cruelty and lack of respect for him and his former position, it also feels very empty and tragic. 

All in all, it was such a great story that I know can only be improved with Bronte's writing. This is precisely why I need to go read the actual novel itself. I was so enthralled by Wyler's film, but I know that it can only reveal so much, as good as it was. The profound sense of suffering, unrealized hopes, and bitterness towards such a lack of love all give this story the bones it needs to transcend any medium. 




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