Wuthering Heights (1939)

  'Wuthering Heights' is a 1939 Romance directed by William Wyler and starring Laurence Olivier.

  Lockwood is a traveller in mid-19th Century English Midlands, when he stops at a house due to a heavy storm. There he meets the rude Heathcliff (Olivier) and Ellen the housekeeper. Lockwood believes he saw a figure outside, shouting "Let me in, I'm out on the Moors. It's Cathy". Upon Heathcliff being told this, he runs out onto the moors. Ellen then tells Lockwood the story of Heathcliff and Cathy's (Merle Oberon) endless love.

  'Wuthering Heights' is one of the most well-known literary works ever written. The book was published in 1847 by the author Emily Bronte, and has been made into numerous film and TV adaptations (17 according to IMDB). The adaptations include a 1954 film directed by Luis Bunuel and a 1985 film directed by Jacques Rivette, but it is this 1939 William Wyler film that is always considered the greatest.

  Seeing as the book was written in the 19th Century, the story has dated with age. The 'girl split between two guys' storyline is overused nowadays, especially with the release of the 'Twilight' and 'The Hunger Games' films. But there is enough in this film to make the film different from these many imitators. For example, the first five minutes gives away the entire storyline of the film. The audience knows how everything is going to end up, so the film focuses instead on how they get there. Why is Heathcliff rich and Cathy dead? So as the film progresses, the pieces of the puzzle are gradually slotted together. When the final flash-forward to present day occurs, everything makes sense, completing the story. Its not about the result, but the journey it takes to get there.

  This film was made earlier in 1939 "The (apparently) best year for film ever", and contains many stylistic choices that feel ahead of its time. Yes it is a Romantic film (my least favourite genre), but it feels like a Dickensian David Lean film, like 'Great Expectations' and 'Oliver Twist'. The Romantic Hollywood films made around this time, usually lacked aesthetic, or any kind of stylistic approach. The sets of the Moors are some of the greatest of the 1930s. I have been to the Midlands a few times, and they have never been this beautiful.

  This is Olivier in one of his best roles. I feel guilty for disliking his performance in 'Henry V', as I realize now he can truly act. The character he creates, tells the rags to riches tale and the lost love tale, perfectly. After watching I can see why this story is timeless, and despite loosing half the book in transition, this film is perfection for the 1930s.

TO CONCLUDE
'Great Expectations' (aesthetic) meets 'Twilight' (love triangle) meets 'Cinema Paradiso' (lost love) meets 'Camille' (tragic ending).

SCORE
78

The Savage Innocents (1960)

  'The Savage Innocents' is a 1960 film directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Peter O'Toole and Anthony Quinn.

  Inuk (Anthony Quinn) is an Eskimo living in the Arctic Circle. He wants a wife, but they're in a shortage as the male population is far larger than the female population. He takes a wife called Asiak, and while hunting a polar bear, meets an Eskimo with a gun. He is fascinated by the gun and journeys out to a trade post with his wife and her mother.

  It's memorable because of the vast white landscapes and the crazy characters, but also quite an irritating ordeal to watch. Inuk may be an accurate character, but he is isn't a sympathetic one. He is ignorant, self-centred and speaks like an autistic Yoda. Actually, all the Eskimo characters speak like an autistic Yoda. Instead of saying I'll go hunting he says "Someone needs to hunt". The characters constantly refer to themselves as someone, but this only touches the iceberg (lol).

  Inuk kills an innocent man because he rejects laughing with his husband. How can I like any character after that. Above all else, the laughing is the worst thing about this film. Inuk and his wife laugh at EVERYTHING. They can't have a normal conversation without the aggravating laughter. If Eskimos do this, they should have glanced over it for the film, as it is not good film-making. Quin maybe giving a valid attempt at a portrayal of an Eskimo, however his whole performance gets very close to racism. Thankfully Peter O'Toole appears and saves the day 30 minutes from the end.

  Overall the film is fairly enjoyable. If you look past these bothersome aspects, the film is well made, and visually gorgeous. Ray's directing is spot-on, mixing the Eskimo's lifestyle with rock and roll. He doesn't shy away from the detestable (from outsiders point of view) aspects of the Eskimo's lifestyle. The film features animal cruelty, and a family tradition where they leave their mother behind in the Arctic wastes when she is too old (Ballad of Narayama much?). This was the most touching scene of the film, but I do wish the rest of the film was as engaging as this moment.

  Whether this 'The Savage Innocents' is realistic, or not is a different question. I find it hard to believe they are as savage and irritating as they are portrayed. Half of the reviews say it's authentic, while the other call it inaccurate and insulting. I honestly have no idea. As much as I want to believe it's authentic, I highly doubt it is.

TO CONCLUDE
Ray portrays the Arctic as a beautiful and harsh place. The characters of this oddity are irritating, and there are a couple of cringe-worthy moments, but it's worth a watch for a cinematic experience quite unlike any other.

SCORE
71