Wuthering Heights

Name: Wuthering Heights
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: October 5, 2012
Duration: 129 min
Rating: 70
Cast: James Howson, Shannon Beer, Solomon Glave

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Oscilloscope Pictures | Release Date: October 5, 2012 | Not Rated

Starring: James Howson, Shannon Beer, Solomon Glave

Summary: An epic love story that spans childhood well into the young adult years, the film follows Heathcliff, a boy taken in by a benevolent Yorkshire farmer, Earnshaw. Living in Earnshaw's home, Heathcliff develops a passionate relationship with the farmer's teenage daughter, Catherine, inspiring the envy and mistrust of his son, Hindley. WhenAn epic love story that spans childhood well into the young adult years, the film follows Heathcliff, a boy taken in by a benevolent Yorkshire farmer, Earnshaw. Living in Earnshaw's home, Heathcliff develops a passionate relationship with the farmer's teenage daughter, Catherine, inspiring the envy and mistrust of his son, Hindley. When Earnshaw passes away, the now-grown characters must finally confront the intense feelings and rivalries that have built up throughout their years together. (Oscilloscope Laboratories)… Expand

Director: Andrea Arnold

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 129 min

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Critic Reviews

100

The Playlist Oliver Lyttelton

Oct 4, 2012

Wuthering Heights is a model of how to bring a classic novel kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century. Read full review

Dana Stevens

Oct 5, 2012

Still, for me, Wuthering Heights' almost impersonal immersion in the light and texture and sound of the moors was the source of its vividness and necessity. In order for the art of literary adaptation to remain vital, we have to be willing to let directors throw aside the book and film their dream of it. Read full review

Joshua Rothkopf

Oct 2, 2012

Arnold's vibrant, Malickian adaptation has another bold stroke worth mentioning: Heathcliff, a Gypsy in the original text, is now an Afro-Caribbean former slave, initially a bruised teen (Glave) and then an unusual, self-made man (Howson). Read full review

A.O. Scott

Oct 4, 2012

The grunts and howls seem every bit as mannered as the florid diction of Olivier and Oberon, perhaps even more so. Their artifice, like Brontë's own, was overt, whereas Ms. Arnold strives to disguise hers in the trappings of authenticity. And as a result, the impact - the grandeur, the art - of Wuthering Heights is diminished. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Nov 29, 2012

Arnold's interpretation is taciturn, often entirely without dialogue, though it becomes increasingly conventional in its scene structure as it goes and as the actors hand off the key roles. In reality it's a bit of a slog. ... The movie plays like an idea for a 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation. Read full review

Sara Stewart

Oct 5, 2012

If you can handle the glacial pacing and lack of dialogue, there is a certain squirmy satisfaction to watching this well-worn story of love, cruelty and madness play out minus the long-winded speeches and romantic catharsis. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Oct 18, 2012

The bottom line with Andrea Arnold's Wuthering Heights is that the writer-director has taken Emily Brontë's tale of undying passion and rendered it passionless. Read full review

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User Reviews

hd1978

Aug 3, 2014

This was a very welcome alternative to the typically theatrical adaptations of Wuthering Heights. There was very little dialogue, and I suspect the film might not work so well for viewers who have not read the book. Yet this allowed the essence of the book to be captured with greaterThis was a very welcome alternative to the typically theatrical adaptations of Wuthering Heights. There was very little dialogue, and I suspect the film might not work so well for viewers who have not read the book. Yet this allowed the essence of the book to be captured with greater accuracy and depth than other adaptations have managed. The pace was unhurried, allowing space for emotions to be portrayed, developed and captured. Much of the film was shot on the moors with a handheld camera, the only soundtrack being the harsh westerly winds. It felt very raw. I still felt that the dark heart of the book was not fully exposed. There were glimpses of Healthcliff's violence, but the complexity and depth of his dark personality was not fully captured.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

DawdlingPoet

Mar 12, 2022

First off, there's an awful lot of very shaky camerawork in this film, so if that annoys you then I'd recommend you stay clear of this film. Not just that but also a lot is filmed in darkness or otherwise low light - I imagine it was written that scenes occur in the dark and some may sayFirst off, there's an awful lot of very shaky camerawork in this film, so if that annoys you then I'd recommend you stay clear of this film. Not just that but also a lot is filmed in darkness or otherwise low light - I imagine it was written that scenes occur in the dark and some may say that makes it atmospheric but it also adds to a sort of disorientating feel.

Its a sad story, of course and the film doesn't shy away from the harshness, so there is violence, scenes of torture (although I wouldn't say there's excessive graphic depictions, its mostly implied but all the same, it doesn't leave too much to the imagination) etc. Its a somewhat moody film, as it should be given the story I guess but suffice to say it didn't overly appeal to me. I felt a bit confused about some plot aspects. I know its more famous as a classic novel/classic literature and suffice to say I haven't read the novel but I didn't find myself entirely intrigued or moved by this film really. I did think it was perhaps surprising how much of a rebel the Heathcliff character was, given the time its set in but then maybe thats unfair of me to think that?. This isn't an especially bad film but you'd have to be in the right mood for it and even then, you may not fully grasp the intricacies of the plot, which would be a shame, so I don't entirely rate this. I'd only recommend this if your familiar with the full story and you feel particularly keen to watch it, then it may be worth seeing, otherwise not so much.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Deanomite

Feb 7, 2020

I like the cinematographer Robbie Ryan and the director, this bare bones Bronte is just too dreary for me.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Gamzguy17

Aug 21, 2021

It's certainly not a bad film, but boy oh boy, if you don't give it your full attention, its slow as hell pace will make it very difficult for you to want to re-engage with the plot. This film will ring true with Romance and Tragedy fans, but for everybody else, satisfactions will vary.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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