Jane Eyre (1944) - 8 stars out of 10
Whenever you see Orson Welles' name on a film, you know that you are looking at a quality film; however, who knew that Joan Fontain could steal the spotlight from one of Hollywood's greatest stars. The character of Jane Eyre comes with a lot of depth but Fontaine exposes every subtle feature in her portrayal. The character also shines through Peggy Ann Garner as Young Jane - I was struck by the amount of convincing emotion in the eyes of this young actress, perfectly setting the scene for the rest of the film. I was also giddy when I realized that Young Jane's friend, Helen, was played by a young and uncredited Elizabeth Taylor! All of the actors are fantastic and a joy to watch, but the credit is truly due to this wonderfully tragic love story. This Charlotte Bronte story is so interesting, all because of one intriguing mystery that will explain the disposition of its male lead. Talk about skeletons in the closet (or in the tower, as it were)! This story is a lot more than a love story between Edward Rochester and Jane - it is an examination of their strong personalities and the factors that have shaped them this way. Jane Eyre has never been portrayed with as much intensity as in this 1944 version and it simply must be experienced.
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