I love Wuthering Heights but loathed the film – this one adaptation beats all others
There have been many adaptations of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights over the years, with many proving divisive among fans of the classic novel — but one version stands above the rest
I was not a fan of the newest Wuthering Heights adaptation(Image: Warner Bros)
Wuthering Heights remains one of those tales that perpetually receives fresh adaptations, with many proving rather polarising amongst devotees of the original novel. Earlier this year, Emerald Fennell’s interpretation of the classic story arrived in cinemas and, like numerous versions before it, left audiences split.
As a huge fan of the original novel, I knew I had to see the film; though, having read some reviews beforehand, I approached it with considerable scepticism. I was somewhat startled, however, as the film ultimately proved even more disappointing than anticipated – resembling poor fan-fiction rather than a faithful rendering of Emily Brontë’s work.
From questionable casting decisions to to out-of-character storylines and cutting out half of the story, the film was ultimately rather disappointing.
And while there are certainly plenty of other bad adaptations of Wuthering Heights out there (MTV’s version, anyone?), there are some that are actually quite good.
One that has maintained its popularity since release, particularly amongst Brontë enthusiasts, is the 2009 mini-series featuring Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley as Heathcliff and Cathy – a pairing whose chemistry was so good that they’ve since married in real life and welcomed two children together.
True to the story, however, the pair’s on-screen counterparts didn’t quite get a happy ending. Unlike the 2026 adaptation, and many others too, the 2009 version opted against stopping halfway through the story.
Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights has divided fans of the novel(Image: Warner Bros)
While the 2009 mini-series has its shortcomings, including the whitewashing of Heathcliff – an inaccuracy both adaptations share – the essence of the story itself is sill there.
And I’m far from alone in my admiration for the 2009 adaptation. On IMDb, one enthusiast wrote: “I am a confessed middle-aged Wuthering Heights tragic – have studied the book at at university level, read it many times, and seen all of the major movie and TV versions – I consider this film version to be the best I have seen.
“Though it departs from the plot a number of times it still comes closest to the the themes and tone of Emily Brontë’s work.”
Meanwhile, another viewer added: “I wasn’t expecting to like this version because I actually dislike all the other adaptations, but my, God! This is absolutely fantastic! It’s the sexiest and most entertaining Wuthering Heights I’ve seen. I’ve watched this film over 10 times. I love it to pieces.
“I thought it was superbly cast and the characters are so perfectly portrayed. Tom Hardy as Heathcliff was just… magnificent. He nailed that psychotic, bad boy role like no other. I found myself loving and hating him all at once.
“Now I can’t imagine anyone else playing it. He’s a fantastic actor. I wish more people knew of him in the States! Also the music in this version is so beautiful.”