Some people complain about old age but I don't....not when you consider the alternative.
Some people complain about old age but I don't....not when you consider the alternative.
Member since:09.01.2003
Reviews:94
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Jane Austen needs little or no introduction to both modern readers and viewers. She was one of the pioneers of the modern novel and her work continues to be read widely - not just for its historic value but for its entertainment too! Whilst some consider it to be "women's literature" this is simply because her heroines are young women. Frankly it is a gender-inspired argument as ridiculous as to say that Shakespeare is for men. Her novels are carefully crafted and exquisitely written snapshots of her era and if her social concerns are not as wide-ranging as, say, Charles Dickens' the wickedness of her wit is sharper through being muted.
Since she unfortunately died at the early age of forty-one it is possible to present all Austen's mature works within one collection. This dvd set contains adaptations of all her adult novels and as such is handy for those who may only be familiar with parts of her oeuvre or with those wanting to have the full set.
This is a BBC boxed set so all the productions included are made by the corporation. Although there is a BBC feel to the whole enterprise - my personal opinion is that costume drama is one of the things the BBC does best - the productions were shot at different periods (1972 - 1995) so they cover a variety of styles and production quality. Presumably the size of the budgets differed too!
The first comment must be to remark on the cleverness of the packaging. All nine dvds' are packed into a box which is made to resemble a voluminous book; thus emphasising the literary inspiration behind the productions. It is an attractive look which adds a bit of quirk to the collection
Pride and Prejudice
Yes it's THAT version of the novel. The one where Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) emerges from the lake all wet and glistening and thereby drove millions of housewives to distraction. Actually since he is fully clothed what we see is the shirt clinging to his torso. I will leave the judgement of how sexy this scene is to the female of the species, who no doubt are better judges than me on this occasion!
The novel starts with perhaps Austen's most famous aphorism: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife"
The arrival of the highly eligible Messrs. Bingley and Darcy therefore sets the scene for a merry dance of potential matches, many of them in the minds of the scheming matrons so beloved of Austen's works. Looks are almost secondary to the excited, breathless tones in which so-and-so is described as being worth "five thousand a year" or "ten thousand" or more. Bear in mind that two hundred plus years of inflation mean some of the characters are seriously wealthy and very few of them actually deign so low as to work for a living. This is all inherited wealth, income from tenants and
so on - presumably inheritance taxes had not been invented yet!
The story is centred around the Bennet family. Blessed with five girls, Mrs. Bennet is desperate to get at least some of them married satisfactorily - a tricky matter given the lack of suitable dowries. Initial hopes that the two eldest girls will be matched to the two newcomers seem dashed by Darcy's rudeness and Bingley's departure.
Whilst the middle sisters get into scrapes of their own involving soldiers and cads the plot bustles along nicely and, as happens often in Austen, not everyone is what they seem.
There is little that can be faulted here and this can be considered the definitive adaptation of the novel. Colin Firth as Darcy built a career on his smoulders here and Jennifer Ehle is a charming and credible Elizabeth Bennet. Alison Steadman is a truly horrible Mrs Bennet, so she gets the part right. Anna Chancellor also excels as the pleasant Bingley's harpyish sister. A word as well for Jonathan Stephens as the odious snob Mr Collins, who provides much comic relief with his oleaginous attitudes and thick-skinned, falsely ingratiating manner. The strong cast includes the likes of Julia Sawalha, Emilia Fox, Joanna David and a very young Lucy Davis. The production is of a high quality and at times genuine excitement, not really a quality normally associated with Austen is created. As Jane, the prettiest Bennet, though, Susannah Harker's hairstyle, bovine eyes and nose gives her a passing resemblance to Harpo Marx, but maybe I'm being unkind! Year first shown: 1995 Length: 327 minutes Directed by: Simon Langton Screenplay by: Andrew Davies Produced by: Sue Birtwistle Mansfield Park
Mansfield Park gives the impression of having had the smallest budget of all the adaptations. This is evident in the dearth of exterior shots, the hollow echoing sounds of the characters steps on some of the sets and the occasional inappropriate use of hand-held cameras giving at times a jerky feel to the whole thing.
Young Fanny Price is sent to stay with her rich uncle and aunt to relieve the financial burden on her family; partly caused by her bucolic father. Whilst the Uncle is a stiff but kindly man and the aunt a nonentity, her other aunt is constantly demeaning Fanny and urging her to act as a servant rather than a relative. Meanwhile Fanny gets rather fond of her cousin Edmund but he, although thoughtful and friendly towards her has his eyes on the bohemian Mary Crawford (Jackie Smith-Wood). Someone is going to get burnt…..
Sylvestra le Touzel as Fanny is a frightened, puzzled rabbit of a girl. Nicholas Farrell is a couple of measures short of dashing as, and Bernard Hepton (Sir Thomas Bertram) might well have been carved out of stone. Angela Pleasence (Lady Bertram) is an irritating and childlike as Fanny's aunt. Anna Massey excels though as the consistently dreadful Aunt Norris.
Still, the story is brought to life and is interesting enough to merit watching even if this is not the best production of the lot.
Year first shown: 1983 Length: 258 minutes Directed by: David Giles Screenplay by: David Giles Produced by: Betty Willingdale
Persuasion
This is a film for television rather than a series. "Persuasion" was Austen's last finished novel and whilst it would be untrue and hindsight-driven to suggest it was finished in a hurry it certainly lacks the humour which infuses the other novels. The effect this has is to detract from the empathy whuich the reader, or viewer, feels towards the characters.
Anne Elliot was promised to marry a young sailor Wentworth but was persuaded not to do so by family friend, and mother-substitute, Lady Russell (Susan Fleetwood). The years have passed, the family fortune has been largely squandered whilst on the other hand Wentworth has furthered his career in the navy and is now still a bachelor but rather more eligible. When Anne is sent to Bath with the kindly Crofts the pair meet again but it looks as though his resentment at the past has replaced his former affection. Or has it?
I am not sure if Amanda Root is right for the part of Anne. She appears too much of a spinster and is less credible in her romantic incarnation. Phoebe Nicholls is suitably odious as Anne's sister Elizabeth, (does she ever get that sneering scowl off her face) and Corin Redgrave is passable as the monstrous foppish father. The family does veer into Restoration drama caricature though. Ciaran Hands as the wronged Captain Wentworth, and the husband and wife team of Admiral and Lady Croft (John Woodvine and Fiona Shaw) take the acting honours here.
The relatively short length makes this unsatisfactory from the point of character development. Really only Anne and, to an extent, Captain Wentworth, get the chance to give their roles any kind of depth. This probably is the adaptation that works least well but even so it is still watchable. Year first shown: 1995 Length: 104 minutes Directed by: Roger Michell Screenplay by: Nick Dear Produced by: Fiona Finlay, George Faber
Emma
Another gem. Emma is the story of a rich and clever young girl with far too much time on her hands, which leads her to fancy herself as a matchmaker. Deprived of a mother from an early age she twists her old father round her little finger and, used to getting her own way, starts a campaign to marry off a dim young protégée to the new vicar. Inevitably cross-purposes flare up all over the place and Emma learns a lesson or two.
She persuades a young orphan, Harriet Smith, to believe that the new vicar, the stiff and snobbish Mr Elton has his eyes on her. Despite the warnings from Mr Knightly about Elton's real intentions, Emma makes a bit of a fool of herself. Meanwhile the appearance of Frank Churchill (Robert East) seem to bring a potential suitor for Emma and Jane Fairfax (Ania Marson) is thought by some to be a peer, or rival, for Emma herself in her role as uncrowned Queen of Highbury. However, it's a a game of two halves and it ain't over until it's over!
Although Emma is a meddler and a teeny-weeny bit snobbish she is really well-meaning and her mortification as things go awry is thus tempered with other, happier, developments.
Doran Godwin is perfect as the engaging Emma always with an amused sparkle in her eye and a ready piece of repartee. There are good performances by John Carson as Emma's foil, Mr Knightly, and by Debbie Bowen as Emma's young protégée the unfailingly dim Harriet Smith. Fiona Walker is also good as the snobbish, boastful Mrs. Elton. However the show is stolen by Donald Eccles who is hilarious as Emma's father, a valetudinarian living in constant fear of draughts and chills, even in the height of summer.
Year first shown: 1972 Length: 256 minutes Directed by: John Glenister Screenplay by: Denis Constadouros Produced by: Martin Lisemore
Sense and Sensibility
Although this novel, and its adaptation here, is quintessential Austen there is also a darker side to it which presages later Austen.
The death of Mr. Dashwood means all his property is left to the son of his first marriage John (Peter Gale) leaving his widow and her three daughters homeless and with little money. Elinor (Irene Richards) seems to be attracted to, and by, her half-brother's brother-in-law Edward Ferrars (Bosco Hogan) who is the only one in the family who treats the bereaved women with compassion. The impoverished Dashwoods' move to the West Country to stay with relations where they meet' amongst others, the awkward but gallant widower Colonel Brandon (Robert Swann) who becomes devoted to Marianne (Tracey Childs). However she becomes entangled with the caddish Willoughby (Peter Woodward) and things become complicated in terms of reputation and health.
This is a good solid production which handles the material with, dare I say it, sensitivity treading a careful middle line between the humour and the more serious parts of the narrative.
Year first shown: 1981 Length: 172 minutes Directed by: Rodney Bennett Screenplay by: Alexander Baron Produced by: Barry Letts
Northanger Abbey
This was Austen's half-serious, half-humorous tip of the hat at the craze for "gothic" novels which drove idle young girls to hysteria (or was it hysterics?).
Catherine Morland (Katharine Schlesinger) is an impressionable young girl of a genteel but modest family. She is however mentored by the childless Allens (Geoffrey Chater and Googie Withers) who, it is presumed, may well leave their considerable fortune to the Morlands'. Taken to Bath for the first time she meets two potential suitors, the rakish fortune-hunter John Thorpe (Jonathan Coy), and the more mature Henry Tilney (Peter Firth). In between she makes friends of Thorpe's sister Isabella (Cassie Stuart) - who in turn sets her cap at Catherine's brother James (Phillip Bird).
Having already seen the darkly brooding Northanger Abbey from a distance, Catherine is thrilled to be invited by Tilney's sister Eleanor (Ingrid Lacey) to spend some time there. Her passion for the lurid novels she reads lead her to daydream - there are wonderfully melodramatic enactments of these which are clearly differentiated from the real action - but there do seem to be real secrets at the Abbey. Did the extravagant and mercurial Admiral Tilney (Robert Hardy) murder his wife? Or is there some other secret hidden behind the sinister walls of Northanger Abbey?
Catherine grows up and romantic interests shift to and fro amongst the young and not-so-young for a wholly satisfactory adaptation.
Played with great gusto the only fault with this production is in its length - it's far too short! It is a shame to waste the convincing acting and the beautiful photography - plenty of lavish exterior shots no expense skimped here!
The first scene of Bath at night, in particular is quite expressionistic and reminiscent of a Venetian carnival rather than an English spa-town.
Year first shown: 1987 Length: 88 minutes Directed by: Giles Foster Screenplay by: Maggie Warley Produced by: Louis Marks
Conclusion
The cover price of the boxed set is £99.99 but it is currently available from the BBC shop online at £59.99 It is therefore excellent value for money and a great idea as a present for anyone enjoying Austen and drama in general. Alternatively just treat yourselves, go on you deserve it!
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Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Pat O'Connor - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over, 15 years and over - Starring: Geraldine O'Rawe, Colin Firth, Saffron Burrows, Minnie Driver, Chris O'Donnell
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
A fantastically in-depth review of what will surely be the Christmas present I buy my ma this year.
JunePixie 13.06.2007 10:02
A wonderful review of a great author. It is rather funny how Jane Austen and similar authors are classed as just for women. Men don't know what they miss.
The popularity of the adaptations of Jane Austen's novels, nearly two hundred years after ... more
their original publication, is staggering. Much is attributed to her use of such universal themes as marriage, social pressure, and the generation gap; many love ...
![The Jane Austen Collection [Box Set]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/103543005.jpg "The Jane Austen Collection [Box Set]")
exceptional by (14%):
very helpful by (85%):
helpful by (2%):
