Wuthering Heights - who is the best Heathcliff?

Who is your favourite Heathcliff?
The options!
* 1939 - Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon
* 1970 -- Timothy Dalton and Anna Calder-Marshall
* 1992 -- Ralph Fiennes (aah...Voldermort!) and Juliette Binoche
* 2009 -- Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley
A new Heathcliff? If ever a guy was born to play Heathcliff, it is Aidan Turner (Mitchell -- 'Being Human') -- what do you think? Or is it time for a mixed race Heathcliff? After all, in the novel he was found abandoned in the streets of Liverpool -- then notorious for the barbaric slave trade!
Music: A cover of 'Asleep' (The Smiths) by Emily Browning -- from the disturbing 'Sucker Punch'
I own none of the artwork, music or film clips -- for fan purposes only -- no copyright infringement intended!
Enjoy and please comment!

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Heathcliff
• Tom
• Hardy
• Cathy
• Wuthering
• Heights
• period
• drama
• Emily
• Bronte
• Ralph
• Fiennes
• British
• actors
• Laurence
• Olivier
• Timothy
• Dalton
• Asleep
• gothic
• novel
• passion
• romance
• movie

[caleden]

This was cool. I think Tom Hardy is the best Heathcliff--he IS Heathcliff to me now. I've read the book and seen a few other versions and no one else comes close to giving a full-bodied, relateable, human Heathcliff. And part of that opinion is because he is absolutely brilliant as the older, bitter, broken down man in later years. He's heartbreaking. It's a beautiful performance.

[IvyRangee]

Tom Hardy -- no one else has come close. He delivers Heathcliff's elemental intensity without histrionics or judgement. I have always loved the character and never felt that anyone did him justice, until I saw this version. I felt so much for Heathcliff in this portrayal, and in such a variety of ways-- to quote EB.

I agree with Caleden -- a brilliant and heartbreaking performance.

[missdarcy321]

Oh my God what did they do to timothy's eyebrows he looks like Spock and the other 'Heathcliffs" look sooo plain! No and what a question Laurence Olivier is the BEST AND THE HANDSOMEST HEATHCLIFF OF ALL HE IS HEATHCLIFF!!!

[mostexcellent100]

@xane1990 Of course everyone has their opinion but I just thought I'd play devil's advocate a bit for Tom. The raw brutality and repulsiveness is what is so brilliant about his portrayal, it allows the very rare instances of vulnerability and gentleness to be all the more compelling and leaves you wanting more without knowing if he will allow you to see it again. If nothing else his portrayal certainly wasn't lacking in excitement - he kept you on your toes.

[LachrymoseMelon]

Olivier!

[xane1990]

@firthan I sooo agree with you about Tom. Yes Heathcliff is supposed to be nasty but Tom overdid it to the point of looking like a fool. I just couldn't take him seriously.

[themrsdinocrocetti]

LARRY!!! He played such a vulnerable Heathcliff, not a hardcore vengeful one :)

[CloudNinjaRule]

So far I think Ralph Fiennes was the best (I've seen most of the versions). Aidan Turner as Heathcliff? Novel idea; I'd like to see it.

[SSStrelka]

Only TIMOTHY DALTON !!!

[ReDeads]

Tom Hardy! :)

[Truthasvictim]

To all of you raving about Hardy, have any of you seen any other version? No version will top Legrand's the 1970 version for music I am sure and find it hard to believe any one did Heathcliffe's raw elemntal savagery any better than Timothy Dalton.

[NanaMatsumoto]

Ralph Fiennes ! The best desperate, threatening, and passionate Heathcliff