This is an extremely frustrating movie, not because of the acting. Not even because of the script, especially considering the historical significance of the backstory (Winston commenting on Hitler in the form of Lord Nelson fighting Napoleon). But the camera work and, even worse, the directing is abominable.
The frustration comes from Olivier and Leigh literally not being in the same shot until halfway through the movie. Whenever you see the face of one, you are seeing the back of the other (if it is the other, it may even have been a stand-in). And so it's impossible to see the chemistry between them. Even in one hopeful scene where Leigh is running, running, running to him...Rather than getting the payoff of the two of them embracing and seeing the magic between them, you get only the back of Olivier's (or a stand-in's) head.
But finally, finally, literally in the middle of the movie, they come together in a kiss, a magnetic kiss that shows the power of the pull between them as well as the power of their acting.
The reason for the frustration is that this is the proving ground to show that Wuthering Heights, as wonderful as it was, wold have been immeasurably better with Leigh in the role of Catherine Earnshaw rather than Merle ("I chew furniture and call it acting") Oberon. Vivien Leigh IS Cathy, just as she is Scarlett O'Hara (who is, after all, just a shadow of Cathy). They are the same role, really, and Leigh would have bought all the power of her performance in Gone with the Wind to Wuthering Heights, and then some, stirred on by Olivier.
So, do see this movie. But not for the movie's sake. Treat yourself to another movie as you see this one. Realize how they would have been as Heathcliffe and Cathy, together, as they should have been.
The frustration comes from Olivier and Leigh literally not being in the same shot until halfway through the movie. Whenever you see the face of one, you are seeing the back of the other (if it is the other, it may even have been a stand-in). And so it's impossible to see the chemistry between them. Even in one hopeful scene where Leigh is running, running, running to him...Rather than getting the payoff of the two of them embracing and seeing the magic between them, you get only the back of Olivier's (or a stand-in's) head.
But finally, finally, literally in the middle of the movie, they come together in a kiss, a magnetic kiss that shows the power of the pull between them as well as the power of their acting.
The reason for the frustration is that this is the proving ground to show that Wuthering Heights, as wonderful as it was, wold have been immeasurably better with Leigh in the role of Catherine Earnshaw rather than Merle ("I chew furniture and call it acting") Oberon. Vivien Leigh IS Cathy, just as she is Scarlett O'Hara (who is, after all, just a shadow of Cathy). They are the same role, really, and Leigh would have bought all the power of her performance in Gone with the Wind to Wuthering Heights, and then some, stirred on by Olivier.
So, do see this movie. But not for the movie's sake. Treat yourself to another movie as you see this one. Realize how they would have been as Heathcliffe and Cathy, together, as they should have been.