To wonder why it seems impossible to make a good screen version of Wuthering Heights?

[middleclassdystopia]

So many adaptations of this brilliant novel and not one of them captures it properly.

Too many try to make it a sentimental love story for starters.

I've seen great adaptations of Jane Eyre and some of Austen's novels but I may well go to my grave having never seen a proper Heathcliff brought to life on the screen.

Another one who dislikes the book. All that oh-so-faithful reproduction of Yarrrckshuh dialect does my head in. Most of the characters need a good telling off, love the idea of them on the Relationships board - can you imagine Cogito and MrsTerry on the case?

I love the book - it's an extraordinary piece of story telling, and her control of prose is stunning for a first (and last) novel.

However the first generation madness totally overpowers the 2nd generation redemption, and makes for a very unbalanced narrative.

I think my favourite versions are the Tom Riley one, the song (captures the terrifying weirdness of the story) and, slightly off at a tangent, the modern version, Sparkhouse, which is inspired by the story rather than a faithful adaptation. It switches the genders of the two protagonists and makes for very unsettling viewing.

I have never been impressed by Bronte male protagonists and luckily DD1 isn't either. She is equally scathing about Twilight, thank goodness. Brooding is not a quality. It's a red flag.

I love the one with Lawrence Olivier

Oh god I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought it was godawful. Boring, difficult to follow and I gave up when it dawned on me that I couldn't give a shit what happened to any of them.

Didn't Cliff Richard play Heathcliff once?

Switching genders of the two main characters is an interesting idea. The whole concept of gender in the book is interesting.

I love the book personally. The Tom Hardy version was pretty good but then again anything with Tom Hardy in is good IMO.

Its a horrible book and one I avoid if I am feeling down in any way. That and the carpenters playing would be one of my worst nightmares:)

Her daughter was alright though, if I remember correctly. Its years since I read it!

Because it is a book that is not really about Cathy and Heathcliff - but the next generation: Cathy 2 and Hareton. They learn from the two selfish people and become better. Cathy teaches Hareton to read. It is a book about the perils of selfishness and passion and the joy of books, kindness and hope.

It may have flaws but that sense of wildness and destruction, is wonderful.

Yes I agree that the reason it hasn't had a decent adaptation is because people who haven't read the book expect it to be a cathy and heathcliffe love story when it is a horrible and destructive relationship so film makers try and shoehorn in a love story where there isn't one.

Yes I agree that the reason it hasn't had a decent adaptation is because people who haven't read the book expect it to be a cathy and heathcliffe love story when it is a horrible and destructive relationship so film makers try and shoehorn in a love story where there isn't one.

I love the book. I loved Kate Bush's version because it was as bonkers and over the top as the Cathy and Heathcliff's story. She captured it where film makers have failed. I'd like to see a film version that does justice to Bronte's wonderful evocative description of the Yorkshire moors.

And I agree with the poster who sang the praises of Tenant of Wildfell Hall - that would make a good film.

I thought the recent itv one was really good, it kept me gripped and I thought it captured everyones characters really well.
Definitely not a love story though, more of a depiction of total dysfunction and toxicity.