Wuthering Heights (2011)

A poor boy of unknown origins is rescued from poverty and taken in by the Earnshaw family where he develops an intense relationship with his young foster sister, Cathy.

Director:

Andrea Arnold

Writers:

Andrea Arnold (screenplay), Olivia Hetreed (screenplay)

Stars:

Kaya Scodelario, James Howson, Solomon Glave

6 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Howson	...	Older Heathcliff
Solomon Glave	...	Young Heathcliff
Paul Hilton	...	Mr. Earnshaw
Shannon Beer	...	Young Cathy
Simone Jackson	...	Nelly
Steve Evets	...	Joseph
Lee Shaw	...	Hindley
Adam Lock	...	Pastor
Amy Wren	...	Frances
Eve Coverley	...	Young Isabella
Jonny Powell	...	Young Edgar (as Jonathan Powell)
Oliver Milburn	...	Mr. Linton
Emma Ropner	...	Mrs. Linton
Richard Guy	...	Gamekeeper Robert
Michael Hughes	...	Hareton

Storyline

A poor boy of unknown origins is rescued from poverty and taken in by the Earnshaw family where he develops an intense relationship with his young foster sister, Cathy.

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Plot Keywords:

interracial relationship | licking a wound | title directed by female | post punk | foster sister | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Casting director Gail Stevens and her team held open calls and wandered the streets of Leeds, Sheffield, York and Bradford looking for likely "Heathcliffs".

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Quotes

Older Cathy: You and Edgar broke my heart. You've killed me... Will you be happy when I am in the earth? Will you forget me?
Older Heathcliff: Don't torture me! I've not killed you. I could no more forget you than myself. When you're at peace, I shall be in hell.
Older Cathy: I will never be at peace.

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Crazy Credits

After all credits, including distributors' credits, there is a final shot of Heathcliff.

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Connections

Version of Wuthering Heights (1985)

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Soundtracks

Coventry Carol
Traditional
Performed by The Muker Silver Band

User Reviews

Excellent alternative version - with some reservations

OK I'll start off with what I definitely found disturbing about this film and did not like. As others have mentioned there is some worrying animal cruelty in this film - no I don't mean the trapped hare or the killing of rabbits - I can easily stomach this. What did worry me is the hanging of the small dogs from fence posts by their collars which clearly left the dogs in a distressed state - I can't believe this was generated by special effects so can only assume that some dogs were left dangling in this way for the purpose of producing this film - not acceptable in my book.

That aside I actually enjoyed this film and would have given it 8 out 10 had it not been for the unnecessary cruelty. I have yet to see 'Red Road' so this was my first experience of an Andrea Arnold film. What struck me is how little dialogue there was - instead we are treated to the Yorkshire moors in all their bleakness. I think this has been done to great effect - the wind noise as the camera is bouncing along the moorland is surprisingly effective at immersing the viewer in the wild Yorkshire landscape.

The first half of the film - where Heathcliff and Cathy are still children, has some very powerful moments. Unfortunately I found the grown up versions less convincing, although it is my opinion that Arnold deliberately chose actors that did look somewhat different to their younger versions; there are many flashbacks in the second half of the film and these are made more prominent by featuring the different actors.

Other reviewers have pointed out how dark this film is and that there are no likable characters. Well surprise surprise it's an incredibly bleak book and it's a relief that this has been retained here. What is unfortunate is that the whole of the second part of the book featuring Cathy's daughter Catherine has been completely omitted, but at the slow pace of this film it would have required at least another 2 hours to cover this. Also I might suggest that Isabella was actually quite likable!

Would I recommend anyone to see this? Not to an animal lover for sure - it's unfortunate that these scenes are included and I'm slightly surprised that this is permitted in filming. But for the wonderful experience of being immersed in the wildness of the moors, definitely.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 2011 (UK)

Also Known As:

Svindlande höjder

Filming Locations:

Cotescue Park, Coverham, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,956, 7 October 2012

Gross USA:

$100,915

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,742,215

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film4, UK Film Council, Goldcrest Films International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min 128 min (theatrical)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1