Mansfield Park BBC 1983

I have continued watching Mansfield Park and I have to say it grew on me – let’s face it it is not very pretty (although I read somewhere that it won a costume award), but it is closest to the novel.

As Linda Troost and Sayre Greenfield write in Jane Austen in Hollywood about this adaptation

...Moreover, while we may know that Edmund Bertram is not particularly physically striking, do we really want his earnestly bad hair style thrust constantly on our vision?

The hair styles in this version are particularly bad – wait until you see Mr Yates!

Visit to Sotherton

Visit to Sotherton

Here they are on the visit to Sotherton. Mr Rushworth has forgotten the key and Maria and Mr Crawford sneak around the gate.

Practising the Play

Practising the Play

Rehearsals for Lover’s Vows – Mr Crawford and Maria are quite enthusiastic.

Now Frank Loves Fanny

Now Henry Loves Fanny

The Maria and Mr Rushworth are married and have left for their honeymoon taking Julia with them. Henry is bored and decides to pierce a small hole in Fanny’s heart.

Fanny is in Portsmouth

Fanny is in Portsmouth

Fanny is sent back to Portsmouth where it is hoped she will rethink her rejection of Frank’s proposal. This is Frank as his best – showing real concern for Fanny and treating her (awful) parents with courtesy and respect.PDVD_017MP83_FrankMaria

A chance encounter in London and Frank runs off with Maria – oops!

The Wedding

The Wedding

And finally Edmund realises he loves Fanny after all.

I think this is a very true adaptation and worth watching if you like Mansfield Park.

Next up the Patricia Rozema’s version

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Adaptations

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *