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Jane Eyre (1944)

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Director Robert Stevenson collaborated with novelist Aldous Huxley and theatrical-producer John Houseman on the screenplay for this 1944 adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's gothic romance Jane Eyre. After several harrowing years in an orphanage, where she was placed by a supercilious relative for exhibiting the forbidden trait of "willfulness," Jane Eyre (Joan Fontaine) secures work as a governess. Her little charge, French-accented Adele (Margaret O'Brien), is pleasant enough. But Jane's employer,

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Drama, Romance, Classics

Aldous Huxley, Robert Stevenson

Apr 24, 2007

Cast

All Critics (15) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (0) | DVD (4)

The whole picture seems to fuse a relentless, revisionist Mercury Theater "take" on Jane Eyre to an obvious attempt on the part of Fox to ride the post-Rebecca wave of Gothic romantic mystery.

January 17, 2010 Full Review Source: Nick's Flick Picks | Comment
Nick's Flick Picks

It's difficult to watch the film without considering aspects of authorship, but if you can, there's a very good film underneath.

May 10, 2007 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | Comment
Combustible Celluloid

Have fun with this hot-blooded Victorian soap opera.

April 30, 2007 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine

A well-constructed piece of studio work, with vivid black-and-white cinematography under matte painting skies that creates a turbulent, oppressive mood.

April 30, 2007 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine

Jane Eyre has seen no fewer than eighteen screen adaptations, none of them better than this 1944 production with Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles.

April 26, 2007 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

...that this Jane Eyre is more Orson Welles's movie than co-star Joan Fontaine's or director Robert Stevenson's may be a blessing in disguise.

April 26, 2007 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

Solid, unimaginative version of the book with great cast.

September 23, 2003 Comment
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Jane Eyre

I haven't read the book, but seeing this movie makes me want to read it. Not only is the story fantastic, the acting is great too: Orson welles and Joan Fontaine. I highly recommend this movie weather or not you have read the book.

September 5, 2010
ajv2688

Super Reviewer

Brooding adaptation of the book gets the gothic feeling just right, Fontaine is good as Jane but is overpowered, who wouldn't be, by Orson Welles great take on Rochester. He is incredibly charismatic even when he is dark and menacing.

July 7, 2008
jjnxn
jay nixon

Super Reviewer

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Latest News for Jane Eyre

May 7, 2008:
Ellen Page Is Jane Eyre
Ellen Page will star in a new BBC Films adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, scheduled to...

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