Jane Eyre
After a bleak childhood, Jane Eyre goes out into the world to become a governess. As she lives happily in her new position at Thornfield Hall, she meets the dark, cold, and abrupt master of the house, Edward Rochester. Jane and her employer grow close in friendship and she soon finds herself falling in love with him. Happiness seems to have found Jane at last, but could Rochester's terrible secret be about to destroy it forever?
Critics Sentiment
Rochester reveals his love for Jane and proposes marriage to her
Attorney interrupts wedding revealing Rochester's wife Bertha Mason exists
The film peaks with Rochester's romantic proposal but crashes when the wedding is dramatically interrupted by the revelation of his existing marriage.
Critics consistently praised the film's atmospheric Gothic cinematography and strong early childhood sequences, with particular acclaim for the Lowood school scenes. While Welles received widespread praise for his commanding and surprisingly romantic Rochester, some found Fontaine's Jane overly subdued, and the final act was generally considered less successful than the powerful opening.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 56
Orson Welles
Edward Rochester
Joan Fontaine
Jane Eyre
Margaret O'Brien
Adele Varens
Peggy Ann Garner
Jane Eyre (younger)
John Sutton
Dr. Rivers
Sara Allgood
Bessie
Henry Daniell
Henry Brocklehurst
Agnes Moorehead
Mrs. Reed
Aubrey Mather
Colonel Dent
Edith Barrett
Mrs. Fairfax
Barbara Everest
Lady Ingram
Hillary Brooke
Blanche Ingram
Elizabeth Taylor
Helen Burns
Billy Bevan
Bookie (uncredited)
Adele Jergens
Woman at Party (uncredited)
Mae Marsh
Leah (uncredited)
Erskine Sanford
Mr. Briggs (uncredited)
John Abbott
Mason
Harry Allen
Guard
Ted Billings
Townsman
Crew
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