Rebecca (1940) Movie Review - Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Rebecca (1940) is the Master piece with mix of Romance, Mystery and Suspense by the great Alfred Hitchcock, although adapted from 1938 Gothic Novel written by Daphne du Maurier. 

The innocent and scary looks of Joan Fontaine (Actress) performance is amazing and keeps you to the edge of the seat to watch till end.

Story of a Aristocratic Widower Maxim de Winter (played by Laurence Olivier) who has his own sinistrous past of accidentally killing his first wife "Rebecca" (who was suffering with cancer disease - come to know in the end) marries a young woman in France where she was "paid companion" to a rich old lady. He then takes her to his estate in England known as "Manderley" which is by the sea.

Mrs. de Winter (new Bride) enthralled to see the grandeur of the mansion with so many servants and maids. She started to feel little scared towards housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, who don't want young woman to take position of late Rebecca.

Mr. Jack Favell, cousin of late Rebecca blackmail Mr. de Winter of dumping his first wife (Rebecca's) body in capsized boat found by detective. After court drama and further enquiry reveals that Rebecca (before death) used to visit psychiatrist concealing her identity to talk about her illness (cancer). Police further investigation  reveals that she was not pregnant and committed suicide.

Finally by the end, when maxim returns to his estate to see that Manderley was set on fire by Mrs. Denvers and all escapes (including Mrs. de Winter) except her consumed in fire.

I give 9 out of 10 for excellent Direction, Actors Performance and Screenplay.

Panchamukhi Hanuman Significance

Hanuman is the incarnation of the tenth Rudra or part of Lord Shiva, who is said to have eleven Rudras in all. He was born to Kesari, the king of monkeys, and Anjana. As the son of Anjana, Hanuman is also known as Anjaneya. He is god incarnate of might and mind.

During the Rama–Ravana Lanka yudh or war, Hanuman assumed his panchamukhi or five-faced form to kill Ahiravana, a powerful demon, a black magician, and possessor of a mysterious weapon, the nagapasha, darts that would secretly inject serpent poison into human body. Ahiravana, the brother of Ravana, had taken Rama and Lakshmana to the netherworld as captives while the two were sleeping at night.

The only way to kill Ahiravana was to extinguish the five lamps lit up in five different directions, all at the same instant. To accomplish this almost impossible task, Hanuman assumed a panchamukhi form and blew out the lamps in one go. Rakshasa Ahiravana was killed and thus, Hanuman freed Rama and Lakshmana.

The five faces of Hanuman are that of an eagle, Garuda, facing the west; a boar, Varaha, facing the north; a horse, Hayagriva, facing the sky; a lion, Narasimha, facing the south; and the fifth being the original Hanuman, facing the east. The panchamukhi Hanuman has ten arms holding ten different weapons, including his own celebrated weapon, the gada.