I think the general consensus is that this was the best adaptation of Emily Bronté's romantic novel, despite not being entirely faithful to it. The film was a tragedy of love, and of life, which is why I particularly did not like the ending; it doesn't fit with the rest of the movie. A cop-out. From what I understand, though, Wyler had to change his version of how the film ended due to studio pressure. Pity. Nevertheless, great direction, performances and cinematography make this a good watch.

A plague of selfishness introduced to a moor by a pair of brooding lovers incapable of tempered emotions or logical thought. Final shot nearly undoes the film's efforts to establish Heathcliff and Cathy as worthy of the misery wrought upon themselves by giving them a happy ending and a blessing from a witness, wrecked lives be damned. Thankful that the material is so powerful as to keep it from being a total dealbreaker.

I think the general consensus is that this was the best adaptation of Emily Bronté's romantic novel, despite not being entirely faithful to it. The film was a tragedy of love, and of life, which is why I particularly did not like the ending; it doesn't fit with the rest of the movie. A cop-out. From what I understand, though, Wyler had to change his version of how the film ended due to studio pressure. Pity. Nevertheless, great direction, performances and cinematography make this a good watch.

"Laurence Olivier played a fabulous Heathcliff, a wonderful anti-hero. Cathy Earnshaw is jealously torn between two lives and the love of Heathcliff and Linton; the film is good except in the way the end of the novel has been changed for the film, which changes the depth and nature of both Cathy and Heathcliff's emotions."

William Wyler was one of Hollywood's greatest directors and one of my favorites. While handling great material with ease, he was even better as an actor's director, leading many an actor and actress to Oscar nominations and awards. With Merle Oberon as the seemingly snooty Cathy Earnshaw and Laurence Olivier as the rough Heathcliff, WUTHERING HEIGHTS remains one of the best films of that golden year of 1939. Olivier, known before only for his stage work in London, is absolutely wonderful as Heathcliff and unfortunately upstages the much weaker talent that was Oberon. Still, it's a classic and certainly a must-see movie. It remains the best film adaptation of Emily Bronté's romantic novel.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

William Wyler always makes good, solid films. Olivier and Oberon are fanastic together as the tortured lovers and Oberon stands out with her acting as she shows a bipolar nature to her character. Atmospheric with superb music it is no surprise this was nominated for best picture in THE year of film.

William Wyler tragically captures the story amidst beautiful black and white cinematography and operatic music from Alfred Newman. Oberon is especially terrific as Mary, bringing a constant energy and bi-polar nature to the role, with Olivier and Niven also doing fine work as well; as well, Gerladine Page is especially passionate in her relatively few scenes. The film kind of staggers a bit at the beginning, but its pace becomes fluid about midway through to the finish. A deserved Best Picture nominee in the greatest of all Hollywood years.