Rebecca (1997) | Presenting Hitchcock Podcast

Gooooood evening. In this month’s episode of Presenting Hitchcock, Cory and Aaron have a second reminder as they discuss the 2 part mini series of Rebecca.

Written by: Arthur Hopcraft

Based on the novel by Daphne Du Maurier

Starring: Charles Dance, Diana Rigg, Geraldine James, Jonathan Cake, Emilia Fox, Tom Chadbon, John Horsley, Faye Dunaway, and Ian McDiarmid

Directed by: Jim O’Brien

Trailer:

Watch the mini series:

Our Favourite Trivia:

Before Hitchcock’s 1940 adaptation, there was a radio play performed by Orson Wells and Margaret Sullivan. After, there were truncated adaptations on anthology television shows, including Philco Television Playhouse in 1948 and Robert Montgomery Presents in 1950. Later, there was a 4 part mini series made for BBC in 1979, an Italian version was produced in 2008, and most recently Netflix adapted the story in 2020.

The role of Maxim de Winter was originally offered to Alan Rickman, but he turned it down.

The second Mrs. de Winter is played by Emilia Fox, the daughter of actress Joanna David, who played the same role in the 1979 BBC production of the story.

The serial was filmed on location in Charlestown in Cornwall, the Luton Hoo Estate in Bedfordshire, Montacute House, South Somerset, and Rotherfield Park in Hampshire. Beach scenes were filmed at Mothecombe in Devon. Interiors were shot at Shepperton Studios.

In Hitchcock’s adaptation, the character of Rebecca is never seen. In this drama, she is shown from behind, and there are frequent flashes of her eyes and mouth (courtesy of Lucy Cohu), although her full face is only shown from a distance.

Diana Rigg won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie.

The Random Draw for Next Picture:

Next up, we’ll be discussing The Lady From Shanghai 

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