The classic film adaptation of
Charlotte Brontë's classic novel
Jane Eyre, starring
Joan Fontaine as Jane and Orson Welles as Rochester. Co-adapted by
Aldous Huxley, after his work on
Pride and Prejudice (1940). Child actress
Elizabeth Taylor, a few years away from becoming a huge star, has a small part.
"Reader, I used these tropes":
- Adaptational Job Change: In the novel, St. John works as a clergyman. In this adaptation, his work is changed as a country doctor for some reason.
- Adaptation Dye-Job: Blanche is blonde.
- Composite Character: Helen Burns takes the place of Julia Severn, the girl at Lowood whose curly hair Mr. Brocklehurst orders cut.
- Calling the Old Man Out: When Jane's finished her education at Loxwood, Mr. Brockenhurst tries to browbeat her into becoming a teacher there, with half her wages withheld for room, board, and the privilege of being subjected to his "spiritual education". In response she refuses, and after being called ungrateful, says he never did anything to be grateful for, and upon being threatened with being barred from returning, simply says she's leaving.
- Chiaroscuro: When Helen first approaches Jane, the lighting through the stair bannister splays out around them, creating the impression of captivity or prison.
- Cue the Billiard Shot: There is a scene with the pool table shot before it pans up to show Mr. Rochester and Blanche talking while playing.
- Dead-Hand Shot: Helen was last seen when Jane touches her cold, immovable hand, indicating that she died from fever.
- Death by Adaptation: Grace Poole. Bertha is said to have killed her in her sleep before she set fire to Thornfield.
- Don't You Dare Pity Me!: Rochester has this reaction to Jane when she reunites with him at the end, believing she has only decided to stay with him out of pity.
- Early-Bird Cameo: St. John Rivers appears during Jane's childhood as the local doctor. This removes him from consideration as a romantic rival to Rochester when he reappears at the end (fortunately, given the age and power difference), and reformulates his obstacle to Jane's choice as a spiritual rather than emotional/marital one.
- Enemy Eats Your Lunch: One of Jane's classmates stole a piece of potato during the middle of prayer.
- Good Luck Charm: Bessie gives her ribbon to Jane before the latter leaves Gateshead Hall to go to Lowood.
- He Who Must Not Be Seen: Compare to other versions, Bertha is never seen on camera, only her shadow and voice are shown.
- Ice Queen: Blanche has a haughty personality, but she is allowed to make her exit with some dignity.
- "Pan Up to the Sky" Ending: The last scene of the movie shows the sky on the daylight, with Jane and Mr. Rochester standing in the ruins of Thornfield Hall.
- Storybook Opening: The intro of the movie starts this way, with Jane reading the first few lines from the first chapter of the book.
