Here You Will Find Information About Every Film or TV Adaptation of
"The Woman In White"
Ever Made In The English Language

Also included you will find a short summary of the actresses who have played Laura Farlie over the years.

Every good story is interpreted through the eyes and ears of the generations that it encounters. And 'The Woman In White' is a thundering good story. Indeed Sir John Mortimer, the professional barrister who created of Rumpole of the Bailey knows a thing about mystery and stories. He said that 'The Woman In White' is the best mystery story to have ever been written.

It's not surprising then that over the years several attempts have been made to adapt the story for film and television. This isn't an easy task because Wilkie Collins, who wrote the book, tells the story via a number of narratives.

This provides you, the reader, with multiple perspectives of what is unfolding. It's rather an unnerving experience, especially since often you have the benefit of other character's observations and know that the account of the person whose narrative you are reading lacks the full information.

Eleanor Parker and Alexis Smith,
Starred As Laura Fairlie And Marian Halcombe
In the 1948 Hollywood Version of
The Woman In White Film

This technique has been developed in suspense films where frequently we witness something that is seemingly unbeknown to one, or more, of the characters. Such a technique however needs a master film-maker such as a Hitchcock to bring it off. In the early films no such attempts were made.

Nevertheless this part of the 'Woman In White' web site includes all of the films and TV adaptations made in the English language. One of the most entertaining is perhaps the 1948 version that starred Sydney Greenstreet and Eleanor Parker. Wilkie Collins it's not, but on a cold winter's day it's great to find it showing on some minor TV channel. Just put a few logs on the fire, close the curtains, grab a large glass of Malt Whisky and enjoy!

The Woman In White TV Serializations

For more realistic experiences may be found in the 1988 and 1997 versions made for TV are credible. The bad people are bad, but not so obviously so as to create the humour, or predictability of the 1948 film version. Sadly the 1988 version isn't widely available on video release, but maybe you'll find an old copy on eBay, or a cut price web site. In some cities your local branch of 'The British Council' may still have that version in its archives.

To learn more about any particular production simply click on one of the links below: