Jane Austen Adaptations

[Pookie]

Jane Austen Adaptations

Jane Austen was mentioned in the Post-op thread. It got me wondering about other peoples favorite movies, miniseries of her books.
I am absolutely crazy about the A&E miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. I loved the old movie with Greer Garson until I saw this show. After the six hour miniseries, a two hour movies just wasn't enought anymore. :lol:
I was not so crazy about A&E's adaptation of Emma with Kate Beckinsdale. I liked the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow much better.
I thought Northanger Abbey with Peter Firth and Googie Withers was terrible. I watched it 3 times and I never could make myself like it.
I watched Persuasion with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds 3 times before I totally understood it. The first time I watched it I thought, these people aren't attractive! How's that for shallow! :lol: It is one of my favorites now.
Of course, I love Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson.
Mansfield Park with Jonny Lee Miller was good. I was just disappointed it wasn't a true version of the book. But I still enjoyed it.
I know there are other versions of these movies I haven't watched yet. Maybe I'll get them all someday!

Anyway, does anyone have a favorite?

 

[Show 42]

Re: Jane Austen Adaptations

Okay Pookie (rolling up my sleeves), now you're in my territory. I LOVE Jane Austen, have read all her books and own all the various versions of her novels- made-into-movies. I even took a class in college that was just about her works.....I agree Northanger Abbey (the movie) is a bit weird, but so was the novel...........42

 

[Pookie]

Re: Jane Austen Adaptations

Oh no, I've run up against an expert! :lol: Now I really will seem shallow! :lol:

Show, I would love your opinions of these different movies, the best versions, etc. I confess I haven't read all of the books. I thought the Kate Beckinsdale "Emma" was a little mean-spirited but I haven't read the book so I don't if that was a better characterization than Gwyneth Paltrow's. I started the book about three times but I just couldn't get into it. I'm going to try again one of these day.
I hope there are some other Jane Austen fans that will have an opinion, too.

 

[Show 42]

Re: Jane Austen Adaptations

Hi Pookie, if you haven't read any of her works yet, I'd start with "Pride and Prejudice", my favorite. I have three movie adaptations of this novel, one made in the forties, and the two PBS releases. Emma's character does come across as "mean-sprited", but in the novel, she comes across as "meddling" more than being mean. I loved both movie versions, but Kate's interpretation is more (in my opinion) closely aligned with Austen's characterization of Emma...enjoy your reading. Once you pick of the "flavor" of the language, you'll be hungry for more..........42

 

[Pookie]

Re: Jane Austen Adaptations

Thanks, Show. You are right about the language. Once you get into the flow of it, it is beautiful and I love it.

I have read Pride and Prejudice 3 times, Mansfield Park twice, Northanger Abbey once an loooooong time ago. If I would have remembered that I didn't like the Northanger Abbey book I wouldn't have bought the movie.

I think will give Persuasion a try. The movie was so wonderful. The book is bound to be even better.

 

[Show 42]

Re: Jane Austen Adaptations

Aw, a kindred spirit......makes me want to dig out my Austen collection and reread......... 42

 

[Ladskater]

Re: Jane Austen Adaptations

I love Jane Austen's books! How about Sense and Sensibility starring Emma Thompson? That was one of the best productions I have seen.

Ladskater

<img src="http://shopping.yahoo.com/video/images/muze/dvd/sm/04/140804.jpg" style="border:0;"/>


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Actress Emma Thompson both wrote and stars in this adaptation of Jane Austen's SENSE AND SENSIBILITY--a novel that perceptively examines the social manners and laws of early-19th-century Britain. Set in the English countryside, the film follows the loves and heartaches of sisters Elinor (Thompson) and Marianne Dashwood (Kate Winslet). The two have extremely divergent approaches to life: Elinor represents "sense" and believes in behaving with propriety and thoughtfulness, while Marianne represents "sensibility" and basks in her own emotions. Both women, however, experience confusion when their lovers, seemingly on the verge of proposing marriage, spurn them.

For director Ang Lee, the film marks a break from his Father Knows Best trilogy, which examined the problems of the contemporary Taiwanese family. Many people questioned whether an Asian director could handle an English period film. Lee answered those questions with a gorgeous film that both captures the nuances of Austen's novel and proves that Lee is a first-rate director capable of tackling any material. Featuring Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman, among others, the stellar cast inspired Lee to flatteringly exclaim, "Can everyone in England act?"

 

[THIZfiyaVIETgrl]

Re: Jane Austen Adaptations

I loved 1995's Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman. Such a wonderful production, and Ang Lee never ceases to amaze me.

I also loved 1995's Emma Adaptation in Clueless. This really took a creative liscense to make it fit into contemporary times, but it was still an excellent and original adaptation.

Then there is 1996's more closely adapted Emma with Gwennyeth Paltrow and Toni Collete. Such great entertainment.

I haven't seen any other adaptations other than that. I tried to watch Persuasion on satellite tv, but I had to go out that day, so I couldn't watch it. My loss.

I'm not a big fan of Kate Beckensale, but was her Emma better than Gwen's or was it just closer to the book or were both great in their own ways?

 

[Pookie]

Re: Jane Austen Adaptations

I also loved Sense & Sensibility. Alan Rickman is always fantastic in his roles.

The A&E miniseries of Pride and Prejudice is a must-see. It is six hours long and I wish it were sixteen. :lol:
I'm know I'm repeating myself but this is such a great program! Can you sense my enthusiam?

 

[Ladskater]

Re: Jane Austen Adaptations

Speaking of Alan Rickman, has anyone here seen a movie titled "Truly, Madly, Deeply" ? Stars Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson. It's a great movie! Dare I say, a little like "Ghost" only better.

Ladskater

 

[Pookie]

Re: Jane Austen Adaptations

Lad,

I started it one time simply because Alan Rickman was in it but I freaked out when I saw the rats running around. Yuck!
I won't even watch Stuart Little. :lol: