Ralph Fiennes starred in the nineties adaptation of Wuthering Heights

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Ralph Fiennes starred in the nineties adaptation(Image: Paramount)

A forgotten period drama based that was slated by viewers has just been made available for free streaming.

Emily Bronte’s classic and controversial novel Wuthering Heights has inspired countless film and TV adaptations, with the most recent starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi hitting cinema screens in a matter of days.

However, years before Emerald Fennell adapted the page-turner for the big-screen in 2026, there was another that released back in the nineties. It starred Ralph Fiennes as the brooding Heathcliff opposite Juliette Binoche as Catherine Earnshaw, while Peter Kosminsky sat in the director’s chair.

Despite the starry cast, the 1992 release struggled to win over critics in particular with one calling it a “failed” adaptation. Meanwhile another described Fiennes’ take on Heathcliff as “demonic”.

The adaptation was slated by critics

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The adaptation was slated by critics(Image: Paramount)

“Peter Kosminsky’s Wuthering Heights is a drone, depressing, and exhaustively revolting excuse for entertainment,” another peeved critic penned.

At time of writing, it has a measly 33 per cent critics’ score on review site Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences gave it a more optimistic 66 per cent.

One fan described it as a “masterpiece”, adding: “Very well put together and the chemistry between the actor was awesome!” while another said it was their “favourite adaptation.”

Meanwhile a third shared: “Not a single adaption has ever truly done it justice – but this is my favourite of the adaptions for two reasons. 1) Ralph Fiennes manages to capture the essence of Heathcliff better than any other actor ever has and 2) Ryuichi Sakamoto’s soaring score together with the authentic filming locations really do bring the book’s atmosphere to life.”

It has now been made available for free streaming

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It has now been made available for free streaming(Image: Paramount)

A fourth, not convinced by the film, said: “Absolutely unwatchable. Could not make it 20 minutes in, terrible acting, strange casting. Don’t waste your time.”

Fans wanting to give it a go can now do so entirely for free, as the film has just been added to Pluto TV. The streaming service has also added three extra adaptations of the story to its library if the nineties flick doesn’t hit the spot.

Wuthering Heights (1970) starring Timothy Dalton and Anna Calder-Marshall; Wuthering Heights (1998) starring Robert Cavanah, Orla Brady, and Sarah Smart; and Wuthering Heights (2011) starring James Howson and Kaya Scodelario are all available to watch now.