Reviews on all things Austen
Posted in Adaptations, Contemporary Authors on Apr 30th, 2012
I’ve been watching The History of Tom Jones – it is hilarious – a pantomime for grown-ups. It reminds me of Austen’s juvenilia – definitely worth watching. I’ll post again when I have watched it all.
Posted in Adaptations, Sense and Sensibility on Apr 13th, 2012
I think this is my favourite Sense and Sensibility adaptation. I think Hattie Morahan is an excellent Elinor and Edward Ferrars, as played by Dan Stevens, isn’t drippy (you can understand why Elinor loves him). In fact, the male heroes (Brandon and Edward Ferrars) are both more appealing in this version. We get to see more [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Sense and Sensibility on Apr 5th, 2012
I’ve been re-watching the 1995 Sense and Sensibility. I do like this adaptation. My only issue is Emma Thompson as Elinor. I think she is a brilliant actress (and her screen play is fabulous), but she is just a bit too old for Elinor. While I was watching it I tried to keep track of [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Contemporary Authors on Aug 3rd, 2011
I thought I would provide images from the BBC adaptation of North and South. Everything about this adaptation was well done and I think it probably has the best ending ever. It doesn’t stick rigidly to the novel, but remains true to the spirit of the story. Margaret’s First View of Mr Thornton Margaret walking [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Re-Interpretation, Recommended on Jun 29th, 2010
This novel is based on Sense and Sensibility. I have been disappointed in the past with sequels, prequels, etc, but being eternally hopeful (or just wanting more Austen) I’m always prepared to try another one. Here’s a synopsis Jane Austen’s beloved Sense and Sensibilityhas moved to Westport, Connecticut, in this enchanting modern-day homage to [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Pride and Prejudice on May 11th, 2010
Episode 4 – the final episode. In this episode Mr Darcy announces his engagement to Caroline Bingley (because she is ‘a maid’), Mrs Bennet receives a letter from Lydia informing her that she has gone off with Mr Bingley. Mrs Bennet believes they are to be married (Amanda and Jane let her think this until [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Pride and Prejudice, Recommended on May 10th, 2010
In Episode 3 Amanda is forced to leave Longbourn and she turns to Mr Wickham for help; he prepares her for society (essentially teaching her how to bluff her way) and tells her to visit Jane Collins. At Rosings she is reunited with Mr Darcy and they argue about Bingley’s and Jane’s unhappiness. Meanwhile Mrs [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Pride and Prejudice, Re-Interpretation on Apr 28th, 2010
In the second episode Amanda tells Mr Bingley she is a lesbian (to avoid his advances). She entertains Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley and Miss Bingley with a rendition of Downtown – unfortunately this is edited from the DVD – you can find it at Youtube. Returning to Netherfield they encounter Wickham when their carriage breaks down [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Pride and Prejudice on Apr 22nd, 2010
I think this (very loose) adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is fabulous; witty, clever, lovely to look at and well cast. In Episode 1 Amanda Price (Jemima Rooper), a keen Janeite, finds Elizabeth Bennet in her bathroom (in Hammersmith). She passes through the secret door in the bathroom and finds herself trapped in Longbourn. She then [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Recommended, Television on Dec 12th, 2009
I saw the first episode of this adaptation and thought ‘oh dear!’ and wasn’t sure if I would continue. However, the second episode was better and by the end I was hooked. The screen play was written by Sandy Welch, who also adapted North and South. As I loved North and South and Emmais my [...]