DU MAURIER CLASSIC HITS OUR SCREENS
THE trailer for the new Netflix adaptation of the classic Cornish thriller Rebecca has been released.
Daphne du Maurier’s sinister novel is being retold in film, directed by Ben Wheatley.
The story tells of a newly married woman, played by Lily James, as she arrives at the English estate of her wealthy husband Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer).
But what begins as a whirlwind romance goes awry after she is haunted by the ghost of his dead first wife, Rebecca, whose legacy is kept alive by the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers (Kristin Scott Thomas).
Filming for the Netflix blockbuster, which is set in a Cornish estate named Manderley, actually took place in North Devon, at Hartland Quay. Shooting started last July at the unspoilt beauty spot, which closed to the public for a few days when the film crew and cast took it over.
A boathouse was built on the quay and the buildings were given a suitably aged look. Hartland Quay, with its dramatic coastline and quiet location, has been the scene of many films, starting in 1934 when Phantom Light was made there.
This was followed by a version of Treasure Island filmed in 1951, and a big budget movie called The Shout, filmed in 1977 at Hartland Abbey, and starring Alan Bates, Susannah Yorke, John Hurt and Jim Broadbent.
Since then Michael Caine, Leonard Rossiter, Billy Connolly, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Ringo Star, Donald Pleasance, Colin Welland, Simon Callow, Nigel Havers, Ray Winstone, Tilda Swinton, Vanessa Redgrave and Tom Hiddleston have all been involved with movies or TV productions filmed in the area.
Hartland Abbey is the home of the Stucley family and parts of the house and gardens are open to visitors.
Rebecca was last adapted for screens in 1940 by Alfred Hitchcock.
The Netflix film is out on October 21.