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Sir Laurence Olivier plays "Maxim" de Winter, a recently widowed wealthy older man described as having been madly in love with his wife before her tragic boating accident. Joan Fontaine plays a young paid lady companion who far too quickly becomes The Second Mrs. de Winter. The two of them first meet in Monte Carlo, have a whirlwind romance for a couple of days, and are then forced into deciding whether or not to marry because of an unexpected, hasty departure of Fontaine's employer.

After a quick Justice of the Peace marriage and a brief romantic honeymoon, the two of them arrive at famous Manderley (Maxim's family estate) and the second Mrs. de Winter is confronted by the memory of the first Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca. On every level she compares herself to her husband's most beautiful and poised first wife. Judith Anderson plays Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper who took care of Rebecca and later Maxim after her death. George Sanders plays Jack Favell, who was Rebecca's favorite cousin. As these characters interact, the truth about the past unfolds in a suspenseful and chilling manner.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, Judith Anderson, Nigel Bruce, Reginald Denny, C. Aubrey Smith, Gladys Cooper
Country: USA
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rebecca (1940) Criterion Collection 2017 Edition
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2xBD50 + 2xDVD | 1080p AVC, NTSC | 02:10:40 | 88.4 Gb + 11.5 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

DISC ONE

• Commentary - this archival audio commentary features film scholar Leonard J. Leff, author of Hitchcock and Selznick. It was recorded in 1990 and initially appeared on Criterion's LD release of Rebecca.

• Molly Haskell and Patricia White - presented here is a new filmed conversation between film critic and author Molly Haskell and film scholar Patricia White. The two ladies discuss the different stylistic layers that define Revecca and some of the obvious feminist overtones in the narrative. The conversation was filmed exclusively for Criterion in 2017. In English, not subtitled. (25 min, 1080p).

• The Making of Rebecca - this documentary feature takes a closer look at the production history of Rebecca and Alfred Hitchcock's relationship with producer David O. Selznick. Included in it are clips from interviews with Peter Bogdanovich, Alfred Hitchcock's granddaughter Mary Stone, author/film historian Rudy Behlmer, and critic Richard Schickel, amongst others. The documentary was produced by John Cork and Lisa Van Eyssen in 2008. In English, not subtitled. (28 min, 1080i).

• Music and Effects Track

• Theatrical Rerelease Trailer - original rerelease trailer for Rebecca. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080i).

DISC TWO

• Visual Effects - in this new video program, visual effects specialist and film historian Craig Barron (Titanic, Con Air) discusses the visual design of Rebecca and some specific lensing choices that enhanced Alfred Hitchcock's desired atmosphere for the film. (There are some very interesting comments about the recreation of the South of France and the footage that was shot in California). In English, not subtitled. (18 min, 1080p).

• Daphne Du Maurier: In the Footsteps of "Rebecca" - this documentary film focuses on the life and work of English author Daphne Du Maurier, whose novel inspired Alfred Hitchcock to shoot Rebecca. The documentary was produced by Elisabeth Aubert Schlumberger for French television in 2016. In French, with imposed English subtitles. (55 min, 1080i).

• The Search for "I" - presented in four galleries are archival screen tests with some of the initial choices for Joan Fontaine's character, lighting and makeup tests, notes and comments from producer David O. Selznick, and more.

• Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson - a collection of archival excepts from NBC's Tomorrow show with Tom Snyder (1980) and recordings of telephone interviews Leonard J. Leff conducted with Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson (1986) while researching his book Hitchcock and Selznick.

• Alfred Hitchcock - this archival interview with Alfred Hitchcock was conducted by Tom Snyder for an episode of NBC's Tomorrow in November 1973. The iconic dierctor talks about some of the things that terrified him in life, his Jesuit training, his working methods (and image as a 'placid man'), violence in film and media, etc. In English, not subtitled. (44 min, 1080i).

• Rebecca on the Radio - presented here are three radio versions of Rebecca.

Rebecca (1940) Criterion Collection 2001 Edition
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DVD9 + DVD5 | NTSC 4:3 | 02:10:56 | 7.62 Gb + 3.78 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:
• Audio Commentary With Film Scholar Leonard J. Leff
• Isolated Music and Effects Track
• Rare Screen, Hair, Makeup and Costume Tests
• Hitchcock on Rebecca
• Phone Interviews With Stars Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson
• Hundreds of Behind the Scenes Photos Chronicling the Film’s Production
• Production Correspondence and Casting Notes
• Deleted Scene Script Excerpts
• 1939 Test Screening Questionnaire
• Essay on Rebecca Author Daphne du Maurier
• Footage from the 1940 Academy Awards Ceremony
• Re-issue Trailer
• Three Hours of Complete Radio Show Adaptations:
-- 1938 Mercury Theatre, featuring Orson Welles & Margaret Sullavan (59:46)
-- 1941 Lux Radio Theatre, with Ronald Coleman, Ida Lupino & Judith Anderson, featuring special guests Cecil B. DeMille & David O. Selznick (58:49)
-- 1950 Lux Radio Theatre, with Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, and Intermission Guest Barbara Rush (1:00:27)