This only my personal opinion but I have always seen Heathcliff as a Romani from Ireland. The Romani have apparently been in Ireland since the 16 century and they have intermarried with Irish travellers. As I say it’s how I see him. I’ve always found the old black and white films the most atmospheric adaptations of the Brontë novels if not always accurate, they give me the right atmosphere, again that is just me. Once again, very interesting!
This fits with the stories Patrick would have told from his time in Ireland. I love hearing your thoughts on it and and I agree that Timothy Dalton was a good Heathcliff if not completely right.
@@brontesistersuk Back in the late 70s there was a TV version with Ken Hutchison as Heathcliff; rather tough looking, not particularly handsome, but as I remember (it IS a long time ago!) he had Heathcliff's brutishness. I daresay it hasn't stood the test of time either. Kay Adshead was Cathy I think, possibly for me the best casting for her looks. There was a lot of entering through the windows rather than using the door, which my family found hilarious.
Now you have put a thought in my head. Poldark (Aiden Turner) is already a bit brutish isn't he so I could see him working (I can't get the thought of him in the field with no top on).
I missed last week’s episode so I’ve just had a very enjoyable double-dose of brontesistersuk! It was great to see you back in Haworth last week and I particularly liked the story of how you started the channel. Brilliant as always Kate! Tez
It’ll definitely be interesting to see what Fennell does with Wuthering Heights. I haven’t seen any of her films but from everything I’ve read and heard they’re very dark so maybe she’s the right one to take on a new version of WH. I have to admit I was disappointed to see the casting news because it seems like she’s going as mainstream as possible, using the actors who are really popular at the moment. It would have been really cool if she had found a Romani actor to play Heathcliff, even if it’s someone nobody has ever heard of. Anyway, thanks for bringing up this discussion! (And I love all the silly parts of the video too! That mug gave me a chuckle, I couldn’t tell what the design was at first and I thought it was the Care Bears 😂)
A Care Bear - I know its was an ugly mug but not ugly. :-) How refreshing would it be to have complete unknown actors in a high budget film, fresh talent that got the part based on their skills not their famous names.
Look forwards to seeing this, il be going to Haworth on the 14th for the candle light parade, and to see the shops. And we like to go in the fleece inn for there fish n chips there really nice x
As a Black fan of Wuthering Heights, yes I absolutely do identify with Heathcliff and read him as a man of color. Everyone, even Lockwood who has no context for how people see and treat Heathcliff, immediately identifies him as being visibly other. Whether he's Black specifically, I don't know. I've read a reimagining of the novel where Heathcliff was specifically half-Indian (What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix by Tasha Suri). I would like to see another adaptation where Heathcliff is played by a non-white actor. Though honestly my bigger problem with Wuthering Heights casting--which is still holding strong here--is that the actors are always way too old. Scenes like Cathy and Heathcliff making faces through the window at the Lintons make so much more sense when you remember that everyone was like, twelve when that happened. Cathy was fifteen when she gave the "I am Heathcliff" speech and dead at eighteen. These were kids. What I'd love to see, even though it will never, ever happen, is an animated adaptation. Would better allow for the 40-year span of time the book covers
It is time for a mix up with the casting I agree, the age thing hadn't come to mind but we should be casting young-looking actors. Love your comments, you know tour stuff.
Good video kate....being old school..I like Olivier and Oberon...but we,ll see what these actors bring to the part.hope it's not to early to say....have a nice Christmas. 😊😊
Nothing wrong with old school, some times the oldies are the best. The marketing people for this film have defiantly got people talking so let's home it's worth waiting for.
Emily Bronte tells us that Heathcliff is a "gypsy beggar". Gypsies (now a term often considered derogatory) were/are Romani, which is NOT the same as Romanian. Romani people were/are NOT from Romania, but are an unrelated Indo-Aryan ethnic group. That said, the word gypsy was also sometimes used in a more generalized way, simply referring to most any poor street person of unknown lineage. But since Mr Linton also suggests Heathcliff may be "a little Lascar, or an American or Spanish castaway" (a lascar is a sailor from India or southeast Asia) it seems fairly certain that he is not black African or Jamaican, but rather of a swarthy, olive, or brown complexion... and therefore quite possibly an actual Romani gypsy.
I love this, thank you. That is so helpful and I think explains so well. Over times meanings of words have changed so much (not always for the better) and we forget this.
i want to thank you so much for the book recommendation "The Vanished Bride" As an American who is having a really hard time lately, this book was the perfect medication. I can't wait to get the next books in the series. 🥰
My mom loves Timothy Dalton's Heathcliff. He might be missing the brutality and uncouthness of the character but, in both our opinion, he truly nailed the expressing of "the tormented passion" in his role, as no other ever has managed to.
When I watch a dramatization of a classic novel, I'm always distracted by the casting of actors who don't fit the appearance and ages given for them in the book. In this instance, IMO, although I think she's a good actress, mid-30's Margaret Robbie is simply too old to play an impetuous teenager like Catherine, whose youth and inexperience are a big part of the character. As for Jacob Elordi, I've never seen him in anything, but his pictures don't indicate a commanding, imposing figure like Heathcliff was. I'm no historian, but casting an actor of a different race in a role like Heathcliff, considering the time and place he was written as being part of, really seems questionable to me, too. I'm all for diversity, don't get me wrong. But I would think if Heathcliff were of African descent, Emily Brontë would have incorporated that background into the character, and since she didn't, any dramatization of the book should not do it.
Brilliant points. Agree that Jacob isn't brutish enough, he doesn't look like he can stomp in a room and boom his voice at people. Hadn't thought of the age thing for Robbie, very true. I love how we all talk about it, we all seem to be thinking along the same lines. What a brilliant community we have here.
@@brontesistersuk I'm so glad you started your channel! Talk about brilliant -- I just love how many different aspects of Bronte-dom your channel covers and the endearing way you present them. You really make the sisters come alive!
Thanks as always for the video, from another American who is having a tough time these dark days. Anyway, when I read Wuthering Heights as a teenager, it was right after reading Jane Eyre. I was mightily disappointed in it and I still struggle with it. As for Heathcliff, I did picture him as dark skinned and I suspected immediately that he was actually the father’s illegitimate son. Why else would he just randomly bring home a waif? Also why a romance between him and Cathy was forbidden. I look forward to this film version. The only one I’ve seen is the oldie with Merle Oberon.
I thought that about being an illegitimate son. It's good that the book is still making us question things all these years later. This is the perfect time of year to snuggle down with a film so why not have a bing and watch all the different versions. Thank you for watching my video.
I do think Margot Robbie is very good - I couldn’t believe it was her in Tonya- but I don’t think Wuthering Heights needs to be filmed AGAIN. I wish they’d do the Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
I would love to see Wildfell Hall made into a film. The BBC drama they made in the 90s (??) was great but that was an age ago. Robbie does have talent, I agree, I just want her to be true to the book from to films of the past.
I have not seen all the film versions of Wuthering Heights. It seems I took Emily's words of Heathcliff as a dark skinned gypsy as Romani gypsy. I am finding this fascinating. What i wouldn't give to go for a day to Haworth back in time and ask Emily who she saw as Heathcliff. Imagine...
I have thought about traveling back in time (if it was an option of course) and decided I would take hand gel, antibiotics and bottled water with me though. It has been so nice to be able to discuss this sensitive topic openly with everyone. I think Heathcliff is what ever the reader wants him to be.
That mug would survive a zombie attack, I've had it for many years and it's been dropped, through the dishwasher so many times and it still lives on when many other mugs would fail. It's a good brew mug though.
I’m a bit of a “wet blanket” when it comes to modern movie makers. They’re always looking for a wider audience (not just Brontë enthusiasts), so it tends to portray modern thoughts and language. To Walk Invisible used the F word several times. I don’t think they cussed like that in 1840. Branwell was raised an educated gentleman and would never say that word or anything like it. Especially to his sister.
I agree about the F words in To Walk Invisible! When I saw it on PBS in America, the swearing was edited out but when I watched the dvd there they were. I personally don’t think Branwell would have used that particular word if he was going to swear. Far too modern in my opinion. (And totally unnecessary)
I hate swearing for swearing sake. We all might drop a naughty word now and then (stubbed toe does it for me) but I don't like it when it's used to make an impact or shock. No need. I think the film makers are just trying to get the under 30yrs all the time and if that means s*x scenes and swear words, they throw it in. With the Brontes, it is not suitable at all.
This is a sensitive subject and I think you handled it well. I want the intrinsic characteristics of fictional people in literature to be the same in films. It’s only recently that that has been questioned about Heathcliff. I’ve read dozens of books on the Brontes and I’m of two minds about it. This is because I’ve read tons of novels by other Victorian authors and only have ever come across one main character who was a person of color, Ozias Midwinter in Wilkie Collins’ Armadale, who was half Black. He was the polar opposite of Heathcliff, being a very sympathetic and truly romantic man. I think I’ve read enough to know how very very rare Black main characters were in Victorian novels and it seems unlikely to me that someone with Emily’s background would have written one. On the other hand, Wuthering Heights itself doesn’t seem like a book that someone with her background would have written in the first place, yet she did. I will just add I’ve only seen pictures of Jason Elordi and I can’t picture him as Heathcliff at all, and he is white. As for Margot Robbie, I’ve only ever seen her in Barbie and thought she was fabulous but I can’t picture her as Cathy either.
Thank you, I have put off talking about the film because of the sensitive issues surrounding it but wanted to see what everyone in my little community thought. I think being Barbie has made me only see her in that way and I will struggle to watch it and not think of her as Barbie.
Just going to share my two cents worth. I, personally think they should just leave The Brontë novels alone now as far as movie adaptations. Movie companies now seem to want to take severe liberties with classic novel to fit them in more with todays generation....i.e. the disastrous Emily. And the 2022 version of Jane Austens Persuasion (horrible). They seem to want to sex them up more as one scene in the 1998 version of Jane Austens Mansfield Park. There was one scene in the original release that left absolutely nothing to anyone's imagination...it was so disgusting that they did edit the scene for the DVD release. In my opinion there are enough movie adaptations of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights to choose from to please anyone who is familiar with the books. In my humble opinion no other version than the 1992 Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche version is the best. Emily called Heathcliff a gypsy.....Merriam Webster describes a gypsy as " a member of a traditionally itinerant people who originated in northern India and now live chiefly in Europe and in smaller numbers throughout the world". My feelings are (and it has nothing to do with race) is novels like The Brontës and Jane Austens should not be changed to meet current life. It's like changing what they wrote. Re-release and promote some of the versions already done.... don't rewrite them to make them more "modern". Let people watch Brigerton for that twist. Just my thoughts and in no way intended to offend.
Thank you so much for sharing and I agree, no more "getting it on" scenes, we don't need that in the story, it doesn't bring anything to the film (other than it makes me shout at the screen). I think WH and JE has been done, (in films this is), what about some of the other Bronte works? I think we are all on the same page over this and thats great.
Well, I'm definitely going to watch this new adaptation when it comes out! The casting is interesting. Both very beautiful people. I can't quite see Heathcliffe as beautiful. More rugged and I pictured him as Indian when I read it as a teenager. It's a shame that such an edgy director didn't go bold on the casting. We shall see 😊 I just watched 'Emily' on Amazon prime. It seems to veer wildly from what is known of Emily. However I really enjoyed it! I found the origins of inspiration the most fascinating! What are your thoughts? I love that a chickens bum featured in this video! 😅 For looking like a cauliflower!! 😂 😂 As always a beautiful, insightful and delightfully funny video! 🤗💖✨
Don't get me started on the Emily film (plan to do a video chat on it in the winter), there is no need to see Emily and William getting "carried away" in a barn. I am so pleased everyone is talking about Heathcliff, this is so interesting. How refreshing would it be to have some new actors come in that suit the role. Glad you liked my chicken mug, I feel better for confessing about my ugly mug. :-)
@brontesistersuk Yes it was uncomfortable to watch the love scenes. I also didn't like the casting of Charlotte and her character seemed to be wafer thin. I'd love it if someday someone made a film about Charlotte Bronte! 🥰 I did love seeing the relationship she had with Branwell and seeing how her inspiration for Wuthering Heights may have developed. Not enough time was spent on that. There were good things about it and ridiculous things. I look forward to your chat on it!
You forget that Margot Robbie’s other famous role is as Harley Quinn. Harley is a very complex character to play! She’s the genius who crosses the line into madness. She’s a psychiatrist who falls in love with her psychotic patient. I’m pretty sure she will be able to bring this intensity into her role as Cathrine!
I haven't seen her as Harley Quinn, I'm not into the comic thing. She has come a long way since her days in Neighbours (the Aussie soap), I will interested to see how she does.
I will most definitely give this new version of Wuthering Heights a watch, but I was not at all a fan of "Saltburn." Maybe this film will be different and change my mind.
I think people who don't know the WH story will watch this new film with Saltburn in their mind and I don't like the idea of comparing the two, they are do different. I hope we don't get any rude scenes, we don't need that in the story.
@brontesistersuk you are very welcome! We all read and ingest so much Bronte information over time, and small forgotten bits come to mind. Keep up your amazing work! I love it! And thank you !!
@@valkyrie9517 Thank you, that is so kind of you. I have plenty more ideas for videos so watch this space. Is there anything you would like me to visit/see/look into?
I'm a bit upset about both actors to be honest. Margot is incredible and I'm sure will do great, but Catherine is way way way younger during this book and I think some story elements would lose strength with that change. About Jacob, I feel like every other comment already states my opinion. Removing the issue of his origin takes away half the reason for his alienation and it's a miss opportunity to discuss this topic in general as well 🥲
Catherine is still a teenager isn’t she in the book. I do feel the film is trying to play it safe with a big name rather than getting it right. I have been rereading Wuthering Heights again since making this video and hearing everyone’s thoughts and I can see Heathcliff’s treatment in a new way. Thank you for watching and it’s great to hear your thoughts.
@@cathyenfield thank you for your comments, I think talking openly allows us to learn and listen to each other. A skill that is being forgotten. So pleased you are part of this little community.
nothing to do with race! its a mysterious character yes, but not a person...that s the reason why is impossible to get someone for the part. read the book and imagine your own heatcliff, can u see his face? i doubt it but u can see a figure, a dark figure or a shadow! wuthering heights on movies? 🤣
It's true how you see characters in your minds eye as you read the novels. I think this "who should play Heathcliff" discussion will happen every time a film is made of Wuthering Heights. Thanks for watching and for your comment.
My Scottish ancestor, Alexander Elder, was the partner of George Smith, “Smith, Elder & Co.”, publishers of Bronte’s books! 📚
You are Bronte royalty then. :-) That's great family history, do you have any keep sakes from him time there?
@ I do not have Alexander keepsakes; too far removed. I’m sure there are many in Scotland and England.
@@Bleoberis1 such a shame, but you do share the DNA and that is more than enough for me. 😆
This only my personal opinion but I have always seen Heathcliff as a Romani from Ireland. The Romani have apparently been in Ireland since the 16 century and they have intermarried with Irish travellers. As I say it’s how I see him. I’ve always found the old black and white films the most atmospheric adaptations of the Brontë novels if not always accurate, they give me the right atmosphere, again that is just me. Once again, very interesting!
I agree, he's described as Romani in the book. I thought Timothy Dalton looked good as Heathcliff but I think he lacked the necessary brutality.
Yes, I agree
This fits with the stories Patrick would have told from his time in Ireland. I love hearing your thoughts on it and and I agree that Timothy Dalton was a good Heathcliff if not completely right.
@@brontesistersuk Back in the late 70s there was a TV version with Ken Hutchison as Heathcliff; rather tough looking, not particularly handsome, but as I remember (it IS a long time ago!) he had Heathcliff's brutishness. I daresay it hasn't stood the test of time either. Kay Adshead was Cathy I think, possibly for me the best casting for her looks. There was a lot of entering through the windows rather than using the door, which my family found hilarious.
@@denisehill7769 will Google this now. Why didn't he use the doors?? How funny.
Captain Poldark- Aiden Turner would be a perfect Heathcliff. Time will tell how the movie turned out. Thx Kate ☃️❤☃️
Now you have put a thought in my head. Poldark (Aiden Turner) is already a bit brutish isn't he so I could see him working (I can't get the thought of him in the field with no top on).
@@brontesistersuk 🤭pure TNT he is 🥰
@@my-mysknitsaloon He is. 😁😁
Now there's a fantastic suggestion!
I missed last week’s episode so I’ve just had a very enjoyable double-dose of brontesistersuk! It was great to see you back in Haworth last week and I particularly liked the story of how you started the channel. Brilliant as always Kate! Tez
Thank you. I loved my Haworth jolly, shame it rained so much. Still can't get over I'm making RUclips videos now, who would have thought it.
@ … and this is just the start!
@@verynearlyinteresting that makes me scared but excited all at the same time.
It’ll definitely be interesting to see what Fennell does with Wuthering Heights. I haven’t seen any of her films but from everything I’ve read and heard they’re very dark so maybe she’s the right one to take on a new version of WH. I have to admit I was disappointed to see the casting news because it seems like she’s going as mainstream as possible, using the actors who are really popular at the moment. It would have been really cool if she had found a Romani actor to play Heathcliff, even if it’s someone nobody has ever heard of.
Anyway, thanks for bringing up this discussion! (And I love all the silly parts of the video too! That mug gave me a chuckle, I couldn’t tell what the design was at first and I thought it was the Care Bears 😂)
A Care Bear - I know its was an ugly mug but not ugly. :-) How refreshing would it be to have complete unknown actors in a high budget film, fresh talent that got the part based on their skills not their famous names.
Look forwards to seeing this, il be going to Haworth on the 14th for the candle light parade, and to see the shops. And we like to go in the fleece inn for there fish n chips there really nice x
Haworth will be amazing by then with all the Christmas decorations up. Have a lovely time.
As a Black fan of Wuthering Heights, yes I absolutely do identify with Heathcliff and read him as a man of color. Everyone, even Lockwood who has no context for how people see and treat Heathcliff, immediately identifies him as being visibly other. Whether he's Black specifically, I don't know. I've read a reimagining of the novel where Heathcliff was specifically half-Indian (What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix by Tasha Suri). I would like to see another adaptation where Heathcliff is played by a non-white actor.
Though honestly my bigger problem with Wuthering Heights casting--which is still holding strong here--is that the actors are always way too old. Scenes like Cathy and Heathcliff making faces through the window at the Lintons make so much more sense when you remember that everyone was like, twelve when that happened. Cathy was fifteen when she gave the "I am Heathcliff" speech and dead at eighteen. These were kids.
What I'd love to see, even though it will never, ever happen, is an animated adaptation. Would better allow for the 40-year span of time the book covers
It is time for a mix up with the casting I agree, the age thing hadn't come to mind but we should be casting young-looking actors. Love your comments, you know tour stuff.
Good video kate....being old school..I like Olivier and Oberon...but we,ll see what these actors bring to the part.hope it's not to early to say....have a nice Christmas. 😊😊
Nothing wrong with old school, some times the oldies are the best. The marketing people for this film have defiantly got people talking so let's home it's worth waiting for.
Emily Bronte tells us that Heathcliff is a "gypsy beggar". Gypsies (now a term often considered derogatory) were/are Romani, which is NOT the same as Romanian. Romani people were/are NOT from Romania, but are an unrelated Indo-Aryan ethnic group. That said, the word gypsy was also sometimes used in a more generalized way, simply referring to most any poor street person of unknown lineage. But since Mr Linton also suggests Heathcliff may be "a little Lascar, or an American or Spanish castaway" (a lascar is a sailor from India or southeast Asia) it seems fairly certain that he is not black African or Jamaican, but rather of a swarthy, olive, or brown complexion... and therefore quite possibly an actual Romani gypsy.
I love this, thank you. That is so helpful and I think explains so well. Over times meanings of words have changed so much (not always for the better) and we forget this.
i want to thank you so much for the book recommendation "The Vanished Bride" As an American who is having a really hard time lately, this book was the perfect medication. I can't wait to get the next books in the series. 🥰
Hello and I am so pleased you liked it. Reading is a great distraction from the world isn't. Let me know what you think of the next one.
@@brontesistersuk Absolutely - the next 3 are already on order 🤩
@@joannshupe9333 Sounds like you are sorted for the winter then.
My mom loves Timothy Dalton's Heathcliff. He might be missing the brutality and uncouthness of the character but, in both our opinion, he truly nailed the expressing of "the tormented passion" in his role, as no other ever has managed to.
@@ΕλληΦεαρινου I can only agree with your mama and you, Timothy Dalton nailed it.
He was a classic Heathcliff and now I want to watch this version again to remind myself.
That movie made me fall in love with Timothy Dalton's face
When I watch a dramatization of a classic novel, I'm always distracted by the casting of actors who don't fit the appearance and ages given for them in the book. In this instance, IMO, although I think she's a good actress, mid-30's Margaret Robbie is simply too old to play an impetuous teenager like Catherine, whose youth and inexperience are a big part of the character. As for Jacob Elordi, I've never seen him in anything, but his pictures don't indicate a commanding, imposing figure like Heathcliff was. I'm no historian, but casting an actor of a different race in a role like Heathcliff, considering the time and place he was written as being part of, really seems questionable to me, too. I'm all for diversity, don't get me wrong. But I would think if Heathcliff were of African descent, Emily Brontë would have incorporated that background into the character, and since she didn't, any dramatization of the book should not do it.
Brilliant points. Agree that Jacob isn't brutish enough, he doesn't look like he can stomp in a room and boom his voice at people. Hadn't thought of the age thing for Robbie, very true. I love how we all talk about it, we all seem to be thinking along the same lines. What a brilliant community we have here.
@@brontesistersuk I'm so glad you started your channel! Talk about brilliant -- I just love how many different aspects of Bronte-dom your channel covers and the endearing way you present them. You really make the sisters come alive!
@@kathybea2532 thank you. I hope to carry on videos for a long time.
Thanks as always for the video, from another American who is having a tough time these dark days. Anyway, when I read Wuthering Heights as a teenager, it was right after reading Jane Eyre. I was mightily disappointed in it and I still struggle with it. As for Heathcliff, I did picture him as dark skinned and I suspected immediately that he was actually the father’s illegitimate son. Why else would he just randomly bring home a waif? Also why a romance between him and Cathy was forbidden. I look forward to this film version. The only one I’ve seen is the oldie with Merle Oberon.
I thought that about being an illegitimate son. It's good that the book is still making us question things all these years later. This is the perfect time of year to snuggle down with a film so why not have a bing and watch all the different versions. Thank you for watching my video.
I do think Margot Robbie is very good - I couldn’t believe it was her in Tonya- but I don’t think Wuthering Heights needs to be filmed AGAIN. I wish they’d do the Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
I would love to see Wildfell Hall made into a film. The BBC drama they made in the 90s (??) was great but that was an age ago. Robbie does have talent, I agree, I just want her to be true to the book from to films of the past.
I have not seen all the film versions of Wuthering Heights. It seems I took Emily's words of Heathcliff as a dark skinned gypsy as Romani gypsy. I am finding this fascinating. What i wouldn't give to go for a day to Haworth back in time and ask Emily who she saw as Heathcliff. Imagine...
I have thought about traveling back in time (if it was an option of course) and decided I would take hand gel, antibiotics and bottled water with me though. It has been so nice to be able to discuss this sensitive topic openly with everyone. I think Heathcliff is what ever the reader wants him to be.
I love your mug with the big rooster ❤
That mug would survive a zombie attack, I've had it for many years and it's been dropped, through the dishwasher so many times and it still lives on when many other mugs would fail. It's a good brew mug though.
I’m a bit of a “wet blanket” when it comes to modern movie makers. They’re always looking for a wider audience (not just Brontë enthusiasts), so it tends to portray modern thoughts and language. To Walk Invisible used the F word several times. I don’t think they cussed like that in 1840. Branwell was raised an educated gentleman and would never say that word or anything like it. Especially to his sister.
I agree about the F words in To Walk Invisible! When I saw it on PBS in America, the swearing was edited out but when I watched the dvd there they were. I personally don’t think Branwell would have used that particular word if he was going to swear. Far too modern in my opinion. (And totally unnecessary)
I hate swearing for swearing sake. We all might drop a naughty word now and then (stubbed toe does it for me) but I don't like it when it's used to make an impact or shock. No need. I think the film makers are just trying to get the under 30yrs all the time and if that means s*x scenes and swear words, they throw it in. With the Brontes, it is not suitable at all.
This is a sensitive subject and I think you handled it well. I want the intrinsic characteristics of fictional people in literature to be the same in films. It’s only recently that that has been questioned about Heathcliff. I’ve read dozens of books on the Brontes and I’m of two minds about it.
This is because I’ve read tons of novels by other Victorian authors and only have ever come across one main character who was a person of color, Ozias Midwinter in Wilkie Collins’ Armadale, who was half Black. He was the polar opposite of Heathcliff, being a very sympathetic and truly romantic man. I think I’ve read enough to know how very very rare Black main characters were in Victorian novels and it seems unlikely to me that someone with Emily’s background would have written one.
On the other hand, Wuthering Heights itself doesn’t seem like a book that someone with her background would have written in the first place, yet she did. I will just add I’ve only seen pictures of Jason Elordi and I can’t picture him as Heathcliff at all, and he is white. As for Margot Robbie, I’ve only ever seen her in Barbie and thought she was fabulous but I can’t picture her as Cathy either.
Thank you, I have put off talking about the film because of the sensitive issues surrounding it but wanted to see what everyone in my little community thought. I think being Barbie has made me only see her in that way and I will struggle to watch it and not think of her as Barbie.
Just going to share my two cents worth. I, personally think they should just leave The Brontë novels alone now as far as movie adaptations. Movie companies now seem to want to take severe liberties with classic novel to fit them in more with todays generation....i.e. the disastrous Emily. And the 2022 version of Jane Austens Persuasion (horrible). They seem to want to sex them up more as one scene in the 1998 version of Jane Austens Mansfield Park. There was one scene in the original release that left absolutely nothing to anyone's imagination...it was so disgusting that they did edit the scene for the DVD release.
In my opinion there are enough movie adaptations of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights to choose from to please anyone who is familiar with the books. In my humble opinion no other version than the 1992 Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche version is the best. Emily called Heathcliff a gypsy.....Merriam Webster describes a gypsy as " a member of a traditionally itinerant people who originated in northern India and now live chiefly in Europe and in smaller numbers throughout the world".
My feelings are (and it has nothing to do with race) is novels like The Brontës and Jane Austens should not be changed to meet current life. It's like changing what they wrote.
Re-release and promote some of the versions already done.... don't rewrite them to make them more "modern". Let people watch Brigerton for that twist.
Just my thoughts and in no way intended to offend.
Thank you so much for sharing and I agree, no more "getting it on" scenes, we don't need that in the story, it doesn't bring anything to the film (other than it makes me shout at the screen). I think WH and JE has been done, (in films this is), what about some of the other Bronte works? I think we are all on the same page over this and thats great.
Well, I'm definitely going to watch this new adaptation when it comes out! The casting is interesting. Both very beautiful people. I can't quite see Heathcliffe as beautiful. More rugged and I pictured him as Indian when I read it as a teenager. It's a shame that such an edgy director didn't go bold on the casting. We shall see 😊 I just watched 'Emily' on Amazon prime. It seems to veer wildly from what is known of Emily. However I really enjoyed it! I found the origins of inspiration the most fascinating! What are your thoughts? I love that a chickens bum featured in this video! 😅 For looking like a cauliflower!! 😂 😂 As always a beautiful, insightful and delightfully funny video! 🤗💖✨
Don't get me started on the Emily film (plan to do a video chat on it in the winter), there is no need to see Emily and William getting "carried away" in a barn. I am so pleased everyone is talking about Heathcliff, this is so interesting. How refreshing would it be to have some new actors come in that suit the role. Glad you liked my chicken mug, I feel better for confessing about my ugly mug. :-)
@brontesistersuk Yes it was uncomfortable to watch the love scenes. I also didn't like the casting of Charlotte and her character seemed to be wafer thin. I'd love it if someday someone made a film about Charlotte Bronte! 🥰 I did love seeing the relationship she had with Branwell and seeing how her inspiration for Wuthering Heights may have developed. Not enough time was spent on that. There were good things about it and ridiculous things. I look forward to your chat on it!
@@butterflygirlenergy I think we are in need of a fresh look at the Brontes in film (apart from To Walk Invisible which I think was tip-top).
You forget that Margot Robbie’s other famous role is as Harley Quinn. Harley is a very complex character to play! She’s the genius who crosses the line into madness. She’s a psychiatrist who falls in love with her psychotic patient. I’m pretty sure she will be able to bring this intensity into her role as Cathrine!
I haven't seen her as Harley Quinn, I'm not into the comic thing. She has come a long way since her days in Neighbours (the Aussie soap), I will interested to see how she does.
I will most definitely give this new version of Wuthering Heights a watch, but I was not at all a fan of "Saltburn." Maybe this film will be different and change my mind.
I think people who don't know the WH story will watch this new film with Saltburn in their mind and I don't like the idea of comparing the two, they are do different. I hope we don't get any rude scenes, we don't need that in the story.
Tom Hardy will forever be my Heathcliff 😂
Tom is a good looking chap. A good moody chap too. With someone else putting Poldark in my head and now Tom Hardy I am very distracted. :-)
Tom Hardy was having the time of his life in the 2009 film
Emily calls Heathcliffe a Lascar, and that's someone of Indian descent.
I love all this feedback, it helps me see it all in a new light. Thank you.
@brontesistersuk you are very welcome! We all read and ingest so much Bronte information over time, and small forgotten bits come to mind. Keep up your amazing work! I love it! And thank you !!
@@valkyrie9517 Thank you, that is so kind of you. I have plenty more ideas for videos so watch this space. Is there anything you would like me to visit/see/look into?
I'm a bit upset about both actors to be honest. Margot is incredible and I'm sure will do great, but Catherine is way way way younger during this book and I think some story elements would lose strength with that change. About Jacob, I feel like every other comment already states my opinion. Removing the issue of his origin takes away half the reason for his alienation and it's a miss opportunity to discuss this topic in general as well 🥲
Catherine is still a teenager isn’t she in the book. I do feel the film is trying to play it safe with a big name rather than getting it right. I have been rereading Wuthering Heights again since making this video and hearing everyone’s thoughts and I can see Heathcliff’s treatment in a new way. Thank you for watching and it’s great to hear your thoughts.
@brontesistersuk yes, exactly, and it's a bit worrying that's their mindset 😅 thank YOU for making these videos 🤍🤍
@@cathyenfield thank you for your comments, I think talking openly allows us to learn and listen to each other. A skill that is being forgotten. So pleased you are part of this little community.
nothing to do with race! its a mysterious character yes, but not a person...that s the reason why is impossible to get someone for the part. read the book and imagine your own heatcliff, can u see his face? i doubt it but u can see a figure, a dark figure or a shadow! wuthering heights on movies? 🤣
It's true how you see characters in your minds eye as you read the novels. I think this "who should play Heathcliff" discussion will happen every time a film is made of Wuthering Heights. Thanks for watching and for your comment.