Wuthering Heights (1967) : White Blank Page

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A tribute to the 1967 BBC miniseries of Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" featuring an early performance of Ian McShane as Heathcliff. Future Bond girl Angela Scoular (who tragically took her own life in 2011) portrayed both the older and younger Catherine. Also featured in the video are Keith Buckley as Hareton and Anne Stallybrass as Ellen "Nelly" Dean. The outdoor sequences were filmed on location in Yorkshire, but as was often the case in early BBC production, the indoor scenes come off as stagey, due to being recorded on video tape. Directed by Peter Sasdy, it was filmed and broadcast in color, but the color print fell victim to the BBC's now deeply regretted "wiping" policy in the 1970s, in which older programs were destroyed to make more storage space, so all we are left with is this black and white print. Better than nothing, but it does make you wonder what it would have been like in color. It's fairly faithful (four episodes) although the timeline is off in a few places, particularly the first two episodes. The men's wigs are overdone and often look ridiculous, but Ian McShane shows the promise of the actor he would become, and is well-cast in the role, portraying Heathcliff from the teenage years to middle age. Angela Scoular has her ups and downs, and had her work cut out for her portraying both Catherines (which Juliette Binoche also did in the 1992 film version), but for some reason I didn't find it as jarring, although she does overact at times, particularly the hysteria scenes. Keith Buckley did a fairly good job as Hareton, although it was a bit distracting with that awful wig! The story of the doomed love between Cathy and the gypsy boy Heathcliff, his grief over her death and desire for revenge, only to be thwarted by the growing love between Hareton Earnshaw and Cathy's daughter is one of the most famous in literature.

Despite the devastation and pain Heathcliff feels and causes those around him, there is hope at the end, when he rejoins Cathy and her daughter and Hareton fall in love, perhaps to help right past wrongs and give hope for the future.

[GoGreen]

I had no idea there is a 1967 version of WH or that Ian McShane played Heathcliff. His looks fit the part. The first time I noticed Mr. Mcshane was in The Battle of Britain about 2 years later. I never forgot him and it was years before I saw him again in anything.

[bailliekins]

I remember watching it the first time round and always thought it the most faithfull version of the book.

[AL-tmve]

why is this film impossible to find anywhere on the internet? ahhh

[jacobflematti]

Why does this song go so well with this story? It's almost like it was written for it.

[nasamanithorne]

I still think the 1939 version with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon is the best.

[TheBethoc]

If you haven't seen it yet, Ian McShane is SMOKING hot in the movie Gyspy Girl or (skyway and crooked)

[ellest]

I need this video set to wuthering heights with kate bush 😍

[ATEG]

Interesting how this actor ended up voicing Tai Lung (Kung Fu Panda), who had a nearly identical backstory

[GerbenD]

Does anyone know where I can watch/buy/download the full series? Thanks in advance

[janesgems]

McShane actually does have Roma blood.

[Abcdefghijklmno]

can anybody tell me where in the internet can i watch this series?