Rebecca

Rebecca

Year: 1940

Runtime: 130 min

Language: English

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

DramaMysteryThrillerRomance

In the shadow of a dark past, a young woman discovers she's married to a man haunted by his late wife, Rebecca. As she navigates the treacherous world of Manderley, the eerie estate, she uncovers secrets and confronts the cold, calculating Max De Winter, while also vying with the obsessive Mrs. Danvers for control of her new life.

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Timeline & Setting – Rebecca (1940)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Rebecca (1940). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story unfolds in an undefined time period, blending elements of classic romance and gothic suspense. This lack of specificity contributes to the timelessness of the themes explored, such as love, jealousy, and identity.

Location

Manderley, Monte Carlo, Cornwall, England

Manderley is a grand country estate in Cornwall, known for its haunting beauty and dark secrets. It serves as the backdrop for the complicated relationship between Maxim and his new bride. Monte Carlo provides a glamorous, yet superficial, setting for their initial romance amid wealth and social status.

🏰 Manderley 🌴 Monte Carlo 🇬🇧 Cornwall

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:07

Main Characters – Rebecca (1940)
Meet the key characters of Rebecca (1940), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mrs. de Winter (Joan Fontaine)

A young and nameless woman, the new Mrs. de Winter is characterized by her innocence and vulnerability. Throughout the film, she faces immense pressure to live up to the legacy of Rebecca, struggling with self-doubt and insecurity in her marriage. Her journey is marked by personal growth as she learns to assert herself amidst the oppressive atmosphere of Manderley.

👰 New Bride 😟 Insecure 🌹 Romantic

Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier)

Maxim is a complex character, depicted as a wealthy widower haunted by the memories of his first wife, Rebecca. Initially charming, he reveals layers of anguish and guilt that create tension in his relationship with his new bride. His actions are driven by a desire to protect his wife, yet his secrets ultimately threaten their marriage.

🕴️ Aristocrat 😔 Grief-Stricken 🔒 Secretive

Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson)

The housekeeper of Manderley, Mrs. Danvers embodies obsession and malice. She is deeply devoted to the memory of Rebecca, viewing the new Mrs. de Winter as a rival. Her manipulative tactics and chilling demeanor create an unsettling atmosphere, making her a formidable antagonist in the story.

👵 Housekeeper 😈 Manipulative 🎭 Obsessive

Jack Favell (George Sanders)

Jack Favell is Rebecca's unscrupulous cousin, characterized by his charm and deceit. He serves as a catalyst for trouble, leveraging Rebecca's memory to manipulate others for his own gain. His selfish motives lead to a dramatic climax, revealing the dark undercurrents of the story.

👨‍🦰 Cousin 💼 Opportunistic 🎭 Devious

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:07

Major Themes – Rebecca (1940)
Explore the central themes of Rebecca (1940), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♀️ Mystery

The movie explores an air of mystery surrounding the legacy of Rebecca and the true nature of her demise. Secrets linger in the shadowy corners of Manderley, creating an underlying tension that drives the plot forward. The protagonist's uncertainty and the oppressive presence of Mrs. Danvers amplify the film's enigmatic atmosphere.

❤️ Love and Jealousy

Love is a central theme, illustrated through the rapid romance between the protagonist and Maxim. However, jealousy complicates their relationship, stemming from the deceased Rebecca's lingering influence. The new Mrs. de Winter struggles with feelings of inadequacy and fear of losing Maxim to the memory of his first wife.

🔥 Destruction

Destruction is both literal and metaphorical within the film, culminating in the fiery end of Manderley. This act, driven by Mrs. Danvers's madness, symbolizes the collapse of the illusions surrounding Rebecca and the new Mrs. de Winter. As the past burns away, the characters must confront the consequences of their actions and choices.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:07

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