Awesome Adaptations (49) Rebecca

This meme celebrates an awesome adaptation related to a weekly category. Any format of adaptation (television series, film, web series, etc.) is acceptable as long as it is based in some form on a book. This meme is hosted by Alisa Selene at PictureMeReading. Check out her site and join in on the fun!

An Awesome Adaptation of a Gothic Story

Title: Rebecca
Adapted from: Rebecca by Daphne duMaurier

The novel by Daphne duMaurier is a very atmospheric exploration of the influence a strong woman has after her death.  What gives this story it's Gothic flair is the hint of a supernatural element, the obsessive attachment to Rebecca and the myriad of secrets many of the characters are keeping.  The story also uses the dark, mysterious manor, a forbidding older hero and a young innocent girl to keep up with the Gothic tones.

And this film lives up to every element of the story while also making it even more atmospheric and creepy.  The actors are excellent in their roles, especially mousy, nervous Joan Fontaine as the main character.  Since the mystery of this story exists largely because of the main character's psychological state, her acting is so important to the story and she carries the film well.  Lawrence Olivier somehow brings a great sympathetic touch to Maxim while keeping him a strong character, which I love.  And of course Alfred Hitchcock's directing brings this whole film together.  It's such a moody piece, because there is a feeling that something bad is going to happen, and soon, and it's hard to know where the danger is coming from.

The movie features a great cast, a wonderful story and a sympathetic character arc in the main character's journey towards becoming a confident and self-possessed woman.  It's dark, sinister and full of mystery and utterly fantastic!