Joan Fontaine, Rebecca & the Shadow

Who hasn't seen - and loved - Joan Fontaine in Rebecca? The news of Fontaine's passing on Sunday immediately brought to mind that amazing role she played.

As the second unnamed wife of Laurence Olivier's Maxim De Winter, Fontaine's heroine tiptoed around Manderley startled by shadows, haunted by her predecessor's ghost and taunted by Rebecca's maid, Mrs Danvers.

Alliance members may be interested to read Germaine Greer's eyebrow-raising Jungian interpretation of the film, here. She argues that the movie is a showcase for the Electra complex. I'm not so sure about that, but I do think Fontaine's role is a brilliant portrayal of shadow work (the shadow being represented by Mrs Danvers).

What's your favourite movie relating to a Jungian / depth psychology archetype?

9142447098?profile=original