Hospital Radio: Wuthering Heights returns – but where’s Kate Bush?

So, the movie event of the year has arrived.

Yes. I know it’s only February, but the blockbusting ‘Wuthering Heights’ is going to be hard to beat. Right?

Yes, the film hit the big screen on Friday (13 February), starring Margot Robbie as Cathy. I still have a vision of Barbie running around the Yorkshire Moors in high heels and driving rain, but the critics seem to be as confused. It’s definitely a split decision; some loved it, some did not.

Now, in the interests of fairness, I should say I haven’t seen the movie or read the book for the matter. In fact, my research for this article centred around watching the trailer and listening to Kate Bush’s epic song from 1978, more on that in a moment.

This new imagining of the classic Emily Brontë's gothic tale follows the affair between the headstrong Cathy and the tortured, but cruel Heathcliff a love so strong it spirals into obsession, betrayal and revenge. This is the eleventh time it has hit the big screen. Some of you may know that the director of Saltburn, Emerald Fennell, is also the director of the new Wuthering Heights film.

Rotten Tomatoes called Saltburn “candy-coated and incisive… a debauched jolt to the senses” and warns that if you’re easily offended, this probably isn’t the film for you.

So, what will the new Brontë  adaptation offer - maybe a less offensive, easier watch? That said, Saltburn did feature the classic Sophie Ellis-Bextor track ‘Murder on the Dancefloor.’ The scene in the movie features the male lead Oliver as he sprints, slides, spins and struts through the empty rooms, completely naked, bathed in coloured lights and the thumping beat of the track.

Now the big question is, will Cathy be cavorting out on the moors in the lashing rain to Kate Bush’s take on the movie? Well, as I said, I haven’t seen the movie, so no spoilers here on tat score. 

Although I do know that Charli XCX has written some original songs that provide a modern take on the film’s theme, creating a contrast to the period setting. The blurb surrounding the movie suggests that the combination of a rousing orchestral sound, plus pop music, makes it both unique and contemporary. I am not sure why that is required.

For me, Kate Bush thrashing her arms about on the wily, windy moors would set the scene much more realistically. I can just imagine the audience swaying in their seats as the classic plays out with Margot Robbie whirling across the screen doing those dramatic arm‑swooshes, as if she’s rearranging the weather on the Yorkshire moors. I will not be trying it myself, of course, maybe when the song first came out, but now I think I might pull a muscle.

I have checked back to see if Kate Bush has ever been on the soundtrack to a Wuthering Heights movie and the answer in short is no.

Some of you may remember the 1996 musical ‘Heathcliff’ that focused on his personal story with the unlikely Cliff Richard, weird beard and all in the starring role. The music was composed by John Farrar (he was a member of the seventies version of The Shadows) with lyrics written by Tim Rice. Yes, you’ve guessed it, no Kate there either. Although ‘Had to Be’ was a decent song, there’s a great version with Cliff duetting with Olivia Newton-John on YouTube if you want a listen.

There has been a Wuthering Heights musical of Emily Brontë's 1847 novel. The musical first appeared in 1992 as a studio recording featuring Lesley Garrett as Cathy and Dave Willetts as Heathcliff - no sign of it since and there was almost an opera, and there has been a ballet. The book has given great inspiration over the years.

Although, I can’t help thinking they’ve missed a trick not including Kate Bush in any of them!