Daphne du Maurier - The Movie Adaptations

Several of Daphne du Maurier's novels have been made into films. Yesterday's post was about Rebecca and it mentioned the 1940 film adaptation. It left us curious about the other movies, not only those made from Rebecca but the ones made from her other books. Below you can find a list of some of the most famous and a video of each one. Do you have a favourite? Or any that you hate? 



Jamaica Inn (1939).

Hitchcock is the acclaimed director of several of du Maurier' adaptations but this is not one of the most famous ones. Starring Maureen O'Hara, Robert Newton and Charles Laughton this was a box-office hit but it failed to to please both the critics and the author.

Frenchman's Creek (1944)

Directed by Mitchell Leisen, with Joan Fontaine, Arturo de Córdova and Basil Rathbone. It is the second time that Joan Fontaine plays a du Maurier heroine after having been Rebecca in the 1940 adaptation.

 

Hungry Hill (1947)

Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and starring Margaret Lockwood, Dennis Price and Cecil Parker. Unlike what had happened with the previous movies Daphne du Maurier helped adapting it to the screen.

Rebecca (1979)

Directed by Simon Langton. With Jeremy Brett, Joanna David, Anna Massey. A TV series with four episodes. I've read somewhere that this was du Maurier's favourite adaptation of Rebecca but sadly it was never released on DVD.

Jamaica Inn (1983)

Directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark. With Jane Seymour, Patrick McGoohan, Trevor Eve, John McEnery. A TV Series with three episodes. The story follows the book more closely than the Hitchcock movie although there are some e twists added.

Rebecca (1997)

Directed by Jim O'Brien. With Charles Dance, Diana Rigg, Geraldine James, Jean Anderson. Another TV Series. Unlike the 1940 movie this time the character of Rebecca appears although only from behind or parts of her face.

Frenchman's Creek (1998)

Directed by Ferdinand Fairfax. With Tara Fitzgerald, Anthony Delon, Tim Dutton, James Fleet. We will be posting a review of this adaptation in a few days.

Fans of du Maurier in general and of movie adaptations in particular will be happy to know that a production of The Scapegoat is currently in production. You can find all the details here.  Earlier  this year it was announced that a new Rebecca adaptation is being planned and we're hoping it is a good one. With script by Stephen Knight I guess the big question is how faithfull it will be to the novel and... who will play the second Mrs de Winter? Any suggestions? Is there another of her books that you would like to see adapted?

Farewell, My Queen (Les Adieux à la Reine) - Trailer

(The trailer is in French, I couldn't find an English version)

in 1789, at the eve of the Revolution: Versailles occupants still live happily, unconcerned by the increasing turmoil in Paris. When news about the storming of the Bastille reaches the Court, aristocrats and servants desert the Palace, leaving the Royal Family alone in its suite. But Sidonie Laborde, a young Queen's reader, refuses to flee. She feels secure as she is under protection of the Queen of France. She does not yet know these are the last three days she would spend by her side.

(from Wikipédia)

I've been waiting for this movie for a very long time. At first, Eva Green was cast as Marie-Antoinette, for my greatest joy. After a while, I read somewhere that it was finally Diane Krüger who landed the role of the tragic French queen. I was a tad confused but not at all displeased with this change since Diane seems to physically suit the role better (even if Eva is magnificent and incredibly talented). For what I've been reading and watching, the reviews are not spectacular, but my curiosity didn't diminished. I'm always ready for an historical movie ! What about you ? :)

The movie was adapted from Chantal Thomas' book Les Adieux à la Reine, but you can find the English translation easily.

French cover

UK cover

US cover

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec

(click here to see a larger version)

Set in Paris 1912, this is the story of an intrepid young journalist and novelist Adèle Blanc-Sec. We first see her in Egypt trying to find a particular mummy that she needs to find a cure for her sister who's comatose (Agathe was victim of an accident when she was younger). At the same time in a Parisian museum, a Pterodactyl eggs mysteriously hatches and the animal starts attacking people...

Adèle Blanc-Sec by Tardi is one of my favourite comic characters and her adventures are always a pleasure to (re)read. I've been waiting for this movie for several years, but somehow I remained a little bit sceptical when I learned that Luc Besson was directing it.


What didn't work for me? Well, many things actually. Let's start with Adèle. In the comics she is supposed to be an arrogant and politically incorrect young woman with a dry sense of humour who permanently harbors an annoyed look. Louise Bourgoin, despite her best efforts, couldn't bring the real character alive. Her jokes were flat (timing, oh the timing ), her acting seems forced and the way she mechanically delivers her lines is almost tragic... I couldn't see anything of Adèle Blanc-Sec in her and that really spoiled the movie for me. The actress is cute, her costumes lovely but that was it.

I read somewhere that Luc Besson, didn't think that the original Adèle (the arrogant and tough gal) would appeal to the feminine public, so he decided to give the character a more tender and sensitive side. I didn't get this, I really didn't. It seems that strong women continue having trouble finding their place in cinema. Of course you can be sensitive and strong, but it seems you cannot be strong and sensitive (and if you are, it needs to be obvious to everyone around you).

Most of the other secondary characters were boring cliches who didn't hold any appeal, especially when they tried to be comic. There was some bad timing going on there as well ! The only exception was Dieuleveult, the creepy Egyptologist played by Matthieu Almaric, who gives us a great performance. It's unfortunate that his screen time was so short, since he steals every scene he's in and I could feel Almaric was enjoying the role.

The particular dark and mysterious Parisian atmosphere from the books was forgotten, and if there is another important character in this comic series besides Adèle, it's the city of Paris. We still get lovely views here and there, but they didn't make me think about Adèle's Paris.

Many things that I enjoy in the comics were either changed or ignored. I could look pass this if, despite its differences with the original series, the story was strong and captivating or even funny. In the end, it was, at my eyes, a complete failure.

I cannot say that I hated the movie, but it came very close. If you are a Tardi fan, this is not for you. If this is your first Adèle Blanc-Sec experience, it might be a pleasant Saturday evening movie.

Official website: http://www.adeleblancsec-lefilm.com/_en/

Movie Trailer: The Boy in Striped Pajamas

A while ago now I read The Boy in Striped Pyjamas">The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. I had heard that there was going to be a movie, and I have to be honest that I wasn't quite sure if this was a book that would work as a movie, simply because of the ending. I still have that doubt, but the movie trailer is now out and I have to say that I think it looks pretty good.



I will definitely be taking some tissues with me, just in case!

Trailer for The Duchess

Keira Knightley featuring as The Duchess. This is the first trailer released. It looks beautiful. I guess we will wait to see more about the storyline and content before we can pass judgement though.

As far as I know, this isn't based on any one book, but there have been a few books around about Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Anyone have any recommendations?

Movie Trailer: The Other Boleyn Girl

The movie trailer for The Other Boleyn Girl is finally out! The movie is out February 29 in the US but I am not 100% sure for other countries. I guess we will get to see it a few more times between now and then!

Okay, so the video isn't going to embed. Instead click here, and then come back and tell us what you think!