#TBT: Who Is the Best Mr. Rochester?

Jane Eyre

Bibliophiles, Anglophiles, and period drama enthusiasts alike have something to celebrate today: it’s the 200th birthday of English novelist Charlotte Brontë! Brontë’s most popular novel Jane Eyre tells the compelling story of a plain, orphaned governess who captures the heart of her employer, Mr. Rochester. He is a dark and brooding romantic hero, brimming with moody passion and heady intelligence. Since its publication in 1847, Jane Eyre has lodged itself in the souls of millions and has been adapted frequently into films, novels, radio programs, and television movies. Not all of these adaptations are created equal, however. So on this, Miss Brontë’s 200th birthday, we look back on and rank the best and worst Rochesters on film.

1. Michael Fassbender (2011) 

It’s no secret that we love Fassbender here at Pop Culturalist– watch this clip and you’ll see why. Fassbender’s Rochester perhaps isn’t quite for purists. After all, director Cary Fukunaga amplified and made obvious the Victorian novel’s subtle, simmering sexual tension. Make no mistake: Fassbender’s Rochester is sexy. But that’s not the only thing that makes him the Rochester of our dreams. Fassbender also brings a tormented madness to Rochester, which is in keeping with Fukunaga’s gothic imagining of the story.

2. Toby Stephens (2006) 

Toby Stephens plays Rochester like no one else does– and his Rochester comes in a verrrrry close second behind Fassbender’s. Yes, his Rochester is brooding and complex; but he’s also undeniably human, and Stephens brings a lighthearted sparkle to Rochester– in what other adaptation have we seen the two leads smile so readily? The wit and repartee crackles between Ruth Wilson‘s flawless Jane and him. In this adaptation, Rochester and Jane aren’t just equals; they’re equals who legitimately enjoy one another’s company.

3. Timothy Dalton (1983)

Timothy Dalton is the quintessential Rochester. He’s got everything down: the piercing gaze, the flashes of passion, the brooding intensity, the tender caresses, the intelligent discourse, the sexy voice… The man exudes Rochester. He isn’t our #1 Rochester simply because he does not put a refreshing spin on the character in the way that Fassbender and Stephens do.

4. Ciarán Hinds (1997)

If we can look past the creeper-stache, we can see that the great Ciarán Hinds is a serviceable/middling Rochester. What he lacks in nuance or subtlety, he makes up for in wild intensity and physical urgency. His Rochester is a little too sneering and a little too entitled; but at least he’s interesting.

5. Orson Welles (1944)

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE??? If you get nightmares from that scene, I apologize. Orson Welles, one of the most distinguished and iconic actors of the 20th century, was far from the best Rochester. In fact, his Rochester is overly stylized and, to our 21st-century sensibilities, comes off as a creep. Is his Rochester a villain or a hero? Some might argue that this ambiguity makes Welles’ performance great. I, on the other hand, would argue that this ambiguity makes his performance uncomfortable.

6. William Hurt (1996)

At least Orson’s Rochester has personality– William Hurt‘s definitely does not. Despite the fact that famed director Franco Zeffrelli helmed this adaptation, William Hurt completely misses the mark. He’s a great actor, but he’s the worst Rochester, hands down. His Rochester lacks the passion or intelligence that is fundamental in the character. It’s a shame that Charlotte Gainsborough‘s soulful Jane didn’t have a worthy partner in Hurt’s boring and uninspired Rochester.

Photo Credit: Focus Features

Parissa

Parissa is a grad student. Aside from loving anything British (she'd make a great duchess), she is also passionate about theater, books, period dramas, and small college towns. She is excellent at movie trivia. Some of her favorite things include: The Sound of Music, Game of Thrones, and Outlander.

9 Discussion to this post

  1. Anara says:

    Nope. Toby Stephens is #1. He’s more than sexy, which he is, he’s sensual, which we see Edward is as he describes his passion for Adele’s mother. He & Ruth were perfect for this movie. Toby is full of life. You can see her begin to melt, or soften, when his smashing, sly grin after demanding to get to know her, to “be entertained” — more is crackling than the fire behind them.

    • Katka says:

      I agree:)

    • Ghadeer Omar says:

      I agree. Toby Stephens is the best Mr. Rochester. and 2006 version is the best Jane Eyre adaptation. followed by the 1983 version with Timothy Dalton who is my second favorite Mr. Rochester.. to me. Michael Fassbender comes in third place.

    • Monica H Arroyo says:

      Toby Stephens is the best Rochester and I can watch this version over and over and over again!!!

    • Arianna says:

      I guess no one knows about the 1973 series because it has been blocked on YT, but Michael Jayston shines. He owns Mr. Rochester, he is endearing, passionate, magnetic, mysterious, sophisticated, sarcastic, moody, tortured and much more – he has caught the many sides of the character and has the most incredibly natural way of delivering even the most unnatural lines in the book, he is very comfortable talking like that. My regret is that he didnt sing twice – in the book, Mr. Rochester sings a lied just for Jane and it would have been so lovely to hear him sing again, as he did the Corsair Song, with his silky voice. This series deserves much more recognition. I agree about the other 2 BBC series, they are marvellous, but the 1983 doesnt have much chemistry and Timothy Dalton delivers the lines a bit too emphatically, although I love his voice, while the 2006 series has much better chemistry but apparently it was made for romantic girls… they are both so pretty, so happy, there is not much room left for sophistication. These 3 mini series are totally worth watching but the 1973 is my favourite by far.

  2. Monica H Arroyo says:

    Toby Stephens is the best Rochester and I can watch this version over and over and over again!!!

  3. KKM says:

    Sorry , but ciaran Hinds ist the best one and the sexiest 😉

  4. Arianna says:

    Not really… Michael Jayston (in 1973 series) is the best Mr. Rochester by far. He owns Mr. Rochester, he is endearing, passionate, mysterious, sophisticated, sarcastic, moody, tortured and much more – he has caught the many sides to this character. The chemistry is sizzling. Someone asked if they used some eyeshadow around his eyes – no, his eyes always look like this in every movie, he has long eyelashes on both lids – sexy eyes. My regret is that he didn t sing twice – if you remember the book, Mr. Rochester sings a lied just for Jane and it would have been so lovely to hear him sing again, as he did the Corsair Song. I have a minor complaint about his sideburns (too long perhaps) and her bonnets, but that is not so important. Sorcha Cusack is a very fine actress and portrays Jane Eyre just as she is in the book, with sensitivity and insight. One of my favourite scenes in the book is when she goes out in the rain to meet him, because she was frightened and this scene is missing, but the following scene, when they talk about her dream, is so beautifully done, as well as the other scenes with them talking about everything with such delight (again, their chemistry is fantastic), that you feel happy to watch. It feels so real and so romantic. The way he reaches out for her hand is so endearing. I remember a fan on Tumblr made gifs of all the kisses (there are many passionate kisses there). Talking about chemistry, I appreciate the 1983 series very much, but the chemistry was simply not there, no matter how professional and talented they were. The 2006 one had a much better chemistry, but they were both too happy, too pretty, too cute, I don t know… the tragic, sophisticated, tormented side of Mr. Rochester was missing somehow. The 2011 movie had very little chemistry and a very morose Jane. The movies are too short to capture the spirit of the book and the 1997 one had a very fine Jane (Samantha Morton), while Ciaran Hinds was the worst Mr. Rochester, actually he was like an abusive boss, shouting and barking and it looked like sexual harassment actually, not like true love. Therefore, only the 3 BBC series are actually accurate and the 1973 series is outstanding mainly because Michael Jayston shines and there are great performances all around, Blanche Ingram (Stephanie Beacham) is the best Blanche ever, Mrs. Fairfax (Megs Jenkins) is great too, St. John (Geoffrey Whitehead) is amazing, while young Jane (Juliet Wallace) and Adele (Isabelle Rosin) are wonderful. This series deserves much more recognition and it is a pity YT has blocked it – it is a gem.

  5. Elizabeth Watson says:

    My favorite Mr. Rochester is Ciaran Hinds: I love his looks, his obsessive and authentic love and attraction for Jane, (beautifully played by Samantha Morton).
    But let’s not forget George C. Scott! The adaption was lacking but he was pretty terrific in the 1972 film version.
    Check it out Jane Eyre fans!
    And yes, I agree, if you can find the Michael Jayston version, you are in for a treat.

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