My Cousin Rachel DVD

Burton stars opposite Olivia de Havilland in this suspenseful drama of passion and buried secrets adapted from Daphne du Maurier's mystery. It's a wonderful melodrama, says James Oliver.

Although Daphne Du Maurier was a prolific and diverse author, she will always be synonymous with a certain type of story, specifically tales of fervid passions in the wilds of Cornwall. My Cousin Rachel, an adaptation of her 1951 bestseller is the perfect illustration of this 'Du Maurier style'. Indeed, this wonderful melodrama might be the quintessential representation of her books.

Set (but of course) in Cornwall, in the 1830s, it concerns young Philip Ashley (Burton), raised by his beloved cousin Ambrose after his parents' untimely death. Troubled with ill-health, Ambrose ventures to foreign climes, leaving Philip tending his estate. The warm weather evidently agrees with Ambrose as he writes home to say that he has married; but Philip receives less happy news soon after – Ambrose has died. Suspecting foul play, Philip takes Ambrose's bride Rachel to be the culprit and means to confront her.

But when they finally meet, all such thoughts are banished. The young man is smitten with Rachel – how could he not be when she's played by Olivia de Havilland? – and showers her with treasures and more. But is Rachel all that she seems? Did she kill Ambrose? And will Philip be next?

A regrettable absence of pirates and smugglers aside, My Cousin Rachel has all the things that one could want from a Du Maurier adaptation. There are fluttering hearts, suspicions of dark dealings and ghosts of previous relationships. Director Henry Koster belies his reputation as a journeyman to whip up a superb period atmosphere, relishing the candlelight and shadows of Philip's manor house.

He's ably assisted by his cast. Burton, in his first American role, is suitably tortured and tempestuous as Philip while de Havilland shines as the thoroughly ambiguous Rachel, slowly wrapping the callow boy around her little finger.

This is glorious gothic pulp. While it doesn't dethrone Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca (which, by happy coincidence, starred Olivia de Havilland's sister Joan Fontaine) as the most effective Du Maurier adaptation, it's by no means an unworthy effort. And for anyone with a taste for brooding romance and buried secrets, it's essential.

James Oliver on 17th May 2012
Author of 147 reviews