Well, since I seem to be determined to comment on every version of Jane Eyre, here goes! This is my second-favorite Jane Eyre, running very close to the Timothy Dalton/Zelah Clarke version. This film definitely LOOKS better than the newer one, since the newer one was a TV miniseries with, let us say, flawed production values. Other commentators complained about the darkness of the film, but hey, it's JANE EYRE! It's a Gothic novel! What did they expect? Welles is SUPERB - in spots he is better than Dalton, and, oddly, I think he's rather sexier in this role. He really DOES show the charm that would have attracted Jane to him. SO why do I like Dalton's version better? Well, #1, it has a better Jane. Joan Fontaine doesn't hold a candle to Zelah Clarke in the role. And #2 - the Dalton version is longer and so, stays closer to the book. Dalton himself excels, but in a much different way than Welles. Welles' Rochester is definitely more world-weary, and maybe not quite so petulant, though both qualities are in keeping with Rochester's character in the book. If you only have two hours, maybe THIS is the one to watch!
