Jane Eyre (1943)

"Are you always drawn to the loveless and unfriended?"

"When it's deserved."

As a child, Jane Eyre (Garner), is orphaned and sent to live with her wealth aunt, Mrs. Reed (Moorehead).  Mrs. Reed sends Jane to the Lowood Institute for girls to give her discipline.  Jane is excited to make new friends, but the headmaster, Mr. Brocklehurst (Daniell) makes her an outcast.  Her only friend is Helen Burns (Elizabeth Taylor), who dies young.

Ten years later, Jane (Fontaine) has finished her studies and accepts a governess position at Thornfield mansion.  She is hired by housekeeper Mrs. Fairfax (Barrett) to care for young Adele Varans (O'Brien).  Adele is the ward of Edward Rochester (Welles), the owner of Thornfield.  Jane is captivated and confused by the mysterious and brooding Rochester.  She enjoys life at Thornfield despite the strange noises and locked rooms.  Everything changes when a group of guests arrive at Thornfield.


This film is based on Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel "Jane Eyre."  The novel was not initially a success, but it grew in popularity over time.  Since the 1910s the story has been adapted to film, television, radio programs, theatre, and literary sequels.

"Jane Eyre" is my favorite novel and I have been leery of film adaptations.  I stumbled onto this version and was impressed with the cast and crew lists.  While this isn't 100% faithful to the book (and at 97 minutes, it cuts out quite a bit), I still enjoyed the film.

Joan Fontaine is an interesting choice for Jane.  She is ok, but doesn't fully capture the heroine from the novel.  Orson Welles is good as Rochester, dark and brooding.  Throughout the film, Rochester is shot with a shadow across his face.  Jane is always well-lit.  Margaret O'Brien is adorable as Adele: precocious without veering into annoying.  This was one of the first film roles for Elizabeth Taylor, who has a small and uncredited role as Helen Burns.  Taylor is sweet as Helen, and works well with Peggy Ann Garner as young Jane.  Garner is heartbreaking.  Agnes Moorehead always plays prickly characters and she is the perfect choice to play Mrs. Reed.  Henry Daniell also excels as a villain, here.  I adore John Sutton and he is wonderful as Dr. Rivers.  Dr. Rivers is a new character, but takes his name from St. John Rivers (who does not appear in the adaptation).  They made the interesting choice to not show Bertha, but focus on her aftermath.  I think it is an effective choice for this film and adds to the suspense.

Bernard Hermann wrote the score for the film and George Barnes was as the cinematographer.  Both do well here.  Director Robert Stevenson was later known for his work on on Walt Disney's live-action films, but he handles the dramatic story well.  The film did not win any awards, but it is a well-made and well-acted film.  I wish the film was a little longer and little closer to the novel, but I thoroughly enjoyed the film.

Jane Eyre (1943) 97 minutes
Director: Robert Stevenson
Starring: Orson Welles as Edward Rochester
Joan Fontaine as Jane Eyre
Margaret O'Brien as Adele Varans
Peggy Ann Garner as young Jane Eyre
John Sutton as Dr. Rivers
Sara Allgood as Bessie
Henry Daniell as Henry Brocklehurst
Agnes Moorehead as Mrs. Reed
Aubrey Mather as Colonel Percy Dent
Edith Barrett as Mrs. Fairfax
Barbara Everest as Lady Ingram
Hillary Brooke as Blanche Ingram