Wuthering Heights (1998)

Being an avid Bronte fan, especially Emily, I have seen every single adaptation of their novels. While most screen adaptations prove to be rather disgraceful, there are some "gems" which, though not equaling the original source, turn out to be masterpieces in their own right. Such is the case with this wonderful TV adaptation of Wuthering Heights. It follows as closely to the book as possible, and takes great pains to bring the characters and their world to life, and succeeds with flying colours. Robert Cavannah and Orla Brady are near perfect in their portrayal of the two star-crossed lovers Cathy and Heathcliff, and David Skynner, the director, does his best to emulate the chaotic atmosphere in which their love blossoms in the novel. But the most enjoyable part of the movie - and indeed of the novel - is the allusion to the post-Heathcliff Wuthering Heights epitomised by the union of Hareton and Catherine Linton.This is a dark, dreary, passionate and compelling adaptation - probably the most stirring, and definitely the most faithful to the original - for it shows why we love and continue to love Emily Jane Bronte's masterpiece! I most strenuously recommend it to every Bronte fan - Victorian world doesn't get bleaker than this!

**ONLY LAST 2 SENTENCES SPOIL** OK, to start with I thought this was very well cast in terms of the way they look~ pretty much like I imagined (though not the best acting at points~ perhaps because the actors probably didn't actually read the book).. well apart from Heathcliff; which is only to be expected, as he is such a controversial character.I also wanted Joseph a bit less clean-cut than he was in the film.I thought Heathcliff should've been played by a non-Caucasian instead of a Cavanah with heavy bronzer. However he looks wild enough, just not attractive enough for me... Haerton WAS hot, which was what I wanted, and his troll-deep voice was suiting and funny at times as it was so fitting whether intentional or not.They only had 2 actors for Heathcliff, Catherine, and Hindley, and 1 for Edgar, Isabella and Nelly. This was tolerable for Hindley, Nelly, Edgar and Isabella, because Nelly's in her later years and their looks usually don't change, Hindley disappears for college to return older, and Flora and Crispin look young enough to pass off as teens. The adult actors for Heathcliff and Catherine were just a little too old to come in the bird nest scene.Now the pace: This film starts a little boring.. but it does get a lot better. But if you have read the book, you will find the movie is slow-moving in some places but flies past some parts a bit too fast. I wish they had just kept the same pace.If setting is important to you, you won't be disappointed.The relationships between the characters were pretty well portrayed, for example Catherine-Heathcliff was quite sweet. The rating 6.7 is pretty dead on.**Spoiler below** What I didn't like was Haerton and Cathy's relationship. Cathy was just a bit too quick to get into it. (/spoiler)

I'm sorry, but I'm absolutely perplexed at all those people who claim that this is the most accurate film adaptation of Wuthering Heights. It is NOT at ALL! As a devout reader of Emily Bronte and beloved fan of the novel (I've managed to read it three times in less than a month) I can safely say that this adaptation doesn't even come close to capturing the spirit of Emily Bronte or the structure of the novel. To begin with, Nelly and Joseph's parts are drastically reduced.I mean, I was atleast expecting Nelly to narrate the damn movie. But she doesn't, in fact, she hardly appears in the movie at all. (by the by, they also chose a really old actress to play Nelly. She is supposed to be Hindley's age but instead looks 50 throughout the entire film). Robert Cavanagh delivers a decent performance as the conflicted and tormented Heathcliff. Orla Brady, however, just falls short from portraying the fiery and vivacious spirit of Catherine Earnshaw. Her defiant, mercurial, and headstrong nature that is evident in the book is not carried through in the movie. Aside from this, they also didn't put much consideration into the age continuity. In the novel, Cathy and Heathcliffe are both around 12 when they meet the Lintons. In this film, they skip 10 years altogether and introduce them as adults from the start. Other characters that were reduced included Hareton, Cathy Linton, and Linton himself. In fact, the entire second generation of characters in the film are as far removed from the context of the characters in the novel as possible. I dunno, it's just too many faults to list. All I know is that I kept grumbling and shouting "NO! that's not the way it went in the novel!" or "Hey, they said more than that!" I give credit to the director for atleast attempting to make a semi-accurate adaptation...even though he failed miserably. I'm beginning to think that Wuthering Heights really is an IMPOSSIBLE novel to film...or at least impossible to film in a way that can satisfy the true Wuthering Heights fans. Maybe if they made it into a mini-series/soap opera...

This is the most accurate version of "Wuthering Heights" I have ever seen. More people have seen the 1939 version with Laurence Olivier, but this one has its own appeal: it sticks to the story. The movie itself was sometimes painful to watch, but it's a painful story, and I still couldn't turn away. Robert Cavanaugh made a perfect Heathcliff; he was loathsome, but you also took pity on him. Orla Brady was lovely as the torn heroine (if you can call her a heroine). As a side note, the music was beautiful! It made me want to cry. I would definitely recommend seeing this film, especially if you are a Brontë fan. You won't be disappointed!