Jane Austen discussion
Austen on Film
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1995 BBC P&P - what else is there!?!
Have you seen the 1995 film adaptation of Persuasion, or the more recent (2007, I think)three part series of Sense and Sensibility? Or for something not Austen at all, the 2004 (or was it 2005?) BBC series North and South? All very good.
I did that the first year I bought it, Jamie. Watched an hour or so every day for weeks. I just had to spend time in that world! :-) Kim, those are all great ones. I would also recommend the Jane Eyre with Toby Stephens & Ruth Wilson ... 2007, I think.
There are other versions of P&P available. I reviewed all of the Jane Austen adaptations available on DVD at my blog here- http://marspeach.wordpress.com/My favorite period dramas are:
Bleak House 2005
Bright Star
Cranford
Daniel Deronda
Downton Abbey
Emma 2009
Jane Eyre 2006
The King's Speech
Little Dorrit
Lorna Doone
Middlemarch
North and South
Our Mutual Friend
Persuasion 2005
Pride and Prejudice 1995
Sense and Sensibility 2008
Wives and Daughters
The Young Victoria
Also the 2009 or 10 Emma is good with Romola Garai. Bright Star was good. Bleak House is good. Cranford is wonderful. There is also a series that I have been watching Larkrise to Candleford. which is good, much like Cranford. You have pretty much got my list on yours, Laura. I am reading Lorna Doone at the moment. N&S. Our Mutual Friend is good. Persuasion is that the one with Ciarin Hinds, or not. Good lineup.
Laura wrote: "There are other versions of P&P available. I reviewed all of the Jane Austen adaptations available on DVD at my blog here- http://marspeach.wordpress.com/My favorite period dramas are:
Bleak Hous..."
Laura - you are a period drama star! I'm very impressed by your list.
Robin - you and I are as one on the question of Ciaran Hinds as Captain Wentworth!
I know, I have brought his name up before and the next poster didn't like him. But I found him very likeable, and his costar. Thanks to know I am in good company.
Great list Laura!!!
(fighting desire to call in sick and watch movies all day.....)
(fighting desire to call in sick and watch movies all day.....)
Great list indeed! I've seen Emma 2009 and loved it, and Jane Eyre 2006 (love it, too!!). I've seen every P&P, some are good, but none are nearly as good as the 1995 version.
I've never seen any version of Persuasion (although I have the 1970s one - I think those older ones are too stagey). So, I'll watch the 2007 Persuasion and get sucked into that world for a while :)
Martha - thanks! I'm glad I'm not the only one. I think you're right. I need to spend some time in that worls.
Persuasion is good, the latest one. Look for the Ciarin Hinds and Amanda Root in the cast. Never saw the 1970's version. How is that one?
I watched Persuasion, 2007 last night and LOVED it. I'm going to watch the 1995 version soon.I have a recommendation, too. PBS's Downton Abbey (Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith) is fantastic.
Downton Abbey is wonderful ... they have been renewed for a 2nd season/series.I love both Persuasion's ... the 2007 one and the one with Ciaran Hinds. Both couples had great chemistry, IMHO. Or maybe it's just a great story! :-) I need to see if there are earlier versions.
It may just be a great story and the movie propelled it along. Especially the letter!
So romantic! I might go watch it now. :-)
I know, I had to have my Austen fix, and I have Lost in Austen, I know it isn't like Austen, but it is pretty close to it.
I ended up falling asleep in the recliner. :-)
Jamie wrote: "OK, I have to admit it. I've been watching too much P&P, the 1995 BBC one. It's absolutely marvelous. Whenever I have a bit of "me time" I pop in the dvd and watch a bit. But I think I need to move..."Jamie, the 2009 Emma is great. :)
Yes, I second the above poster. I almost fell asleep in the recliner watching Lost In Austen. Ha Ha!
1995 P&P is by far the best. I do recommend the Ciaran Hinds version of Persuasion. The Laurence Olivier / Greer Garson P&P is laughably bad even though Olivier is a very charismatic and appealing Darcy.I know we are all about Austen here but I have to recommend the BBC 320 minute series of Jane Eyre with Pierce Brosnan as Rochester. It is very good, and like the 1995 P&P, because it is so long, it is much more faithful to the book than any two hour movie can be.
Also, I am not the world's biggest Gwyneth Paltrow fan, but her Emma was pretty good, and with Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley, very enjoyable to watch. %^>
Pierce was Rochester. That is worth a look. But 320 minutes, ye gawd. How many discs would that total. That sounds as bad as Bleak House on DVD and that was at least 8 discs running concurrently. But hey, it's summer and I am up for anything.
Or was it Timothy Dalton? I can't remember. One of those guys. %^>Anyway, it was very good. Watch the first couple of episodes and see if you are motivated to continue. I got hooked right away.
It was Timothy Dalton. The series was made in 1983 and Zelah Clarke played Jane. That particular series has been repeated quite often on the national broadcaster here in Oz. I can see why Dalton might be confused with Pierce Brosnan. They are kind of similar in the hair and voice department. (Says she from memory without actually checking them out on dvd or youtube!)
I liked Pierce when he teamed up with Stephanie Zimbalist in Remington Steele, I used to watch that show religiously. Don't see any similarities, weren't they both Bonds, as in James Bond.
Robin wrote: "I liked Pierce when he teamed up with Stephanie Zimbalist in Remington Steele, I used to watch that show religiously. Don't see any similarities, weren't they both Bonds, as in James Bond."You're right, Robin. I'm pretty sure that they were both Bonds. (Although I don't think that I've seen either of them in the role.)
Robin wrote: "I liked Pierce when he teamed up with Stephanie Zimbalist in Remington Steele, I used to watch that show religiously. Don't see any similarities, weren't they both Bonds, as in James Bond."Robin, I loved Remington Steele. What a great cast, Brosnan, Zimbalist and, of course, Doris Roberts as secretary Mildred Krebs.
Yes, they were both Bonds, that is how I mixed them up in my head. But Dalton was a good Rochester.
vard wrote: "Yes, they were both Bonds, that is how I mixed them up in my head. But Dalton was a good Rochester."He was a good Rochester. I also liked Toby Stephens in the role in the more recent BBC series with Ruth Wilson as Jane. I've liked Toby Stephens since seeing him as Count Orsino in Trevor Nunn's 1996 film adaptation of Twelfth Night, with Imogen Stubbs and Helena Bonham Carter.
Never have seen the Timothy Dalton "Jane Eyre". I remember seeing the black and white movie with Orson Welles, didn't get to see all of it.Shea, I think Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan had great chemistry. I liked Doris Roberts as the secretary better than her role in "Everybody loves Raymond".
Vard - I agree, the 1995 P&P is by far the best. There are other series I like, but I haven't ever fallen head over heels for any like I did for P&P, 1995. Emma 2010 is great, I love Mr. Knightly. The only scene that really bothers me is when they kiss at the end. I wish they saved that kiss for when they were at the seaside!
I watched the Ciaran Hinds version of Persuasion this weekend and loved it! Anne was a bit too mopey, and they never cast her in any series nearly as pretty as I imagine her to be!
Yes, Emma is good. And Jamie didn't you notice that Anne's looks changed and she did become more beautiful when she was in love with Captain Wentworth. She had a "glow" about her.
Robin wrote: "Yes, Emma is good. And Jamie didn't you notice that Anne's looks changed and she did become more beautiful when she was in love with Captain Wentworth. She had a "glow" about her."I agree, Robin. I think that the 1995 Persuasion portrayed the change in Anne (which is specifically referred to in the novel) really well. From when they all went to Lyme Regis she had colour in her cheeks and her eyes brightened. Captain Wentworth notices it too, particularly after Mr Elliot pays attention to her.
I agree, she looks so pretty at the end. I love that version!
I am glad I wasn't the only one who noticed the play of light on her face. She does make a transformation before our eyes.
OK ... now I have to watch it again! Or, even better, buy my own copy! LOL
You will see the transformation, it is somewhat like the movie with Robert Young and Dorothy MacGuire, the Enchanted Cottage, they both saw the beauty in each other. You should watch that movie, too.
That sounds familiar. I'll look for it on Netflix.
And also watch Persuasion, you will see what we mean.
Have you guys seen this?http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/pe...
I wish I could see it in person! I hope he doesn't get struck by lightening like the big Jesus near Cincinatti, OH.
*shudders* I kind of hope it does, I'd take it as Jane Austen passing judgement.
It is a little scary, actually! I agree with Louise :)
Under the Greenwood Tree is a cute period drama too!
I love love love North and South. I though the new version of Jane Eyre was wonderful. Also Little Women, the one with Wynona Ryder and Claire Danes is one of my favorites.
North & South! Fab example of an adaptation that draws in new readers.
I recently re-watched this, as you do, and what struck me this time was how truly embarrassing Lizzy's family can be. I had to shut my eyes and cover my ears to get through the Netherfield Ball scene, because I was so utterly mortified on her behalf!
Tessara wrote: "I recently re-watched this, as you do, and what struck me this time was how truly embarrassing Lizzy's family can be. I had to shut my eyes and cover my ears to get through the Netherfield Ball sce..."Many of the Bennett's and their actions are cringe worthy.
Wives and Daughters is another mini-series by the same author as North and South and is quite good too.
North and South is wonderful. I have yet to watch wives and daughters but I have it on my shelf, waiting and reading to watched soon :)
What to do? Any recommendations for a good next series to watch for a while. Or should I just keep riding this P&P wave I've been on until I exhaust it?