Bath is Incomparable

The quote above is actually taken from the 1995 movie adaptation of Persuasion from BBC and Sony Pictures. The way this line originally ran in the book was: "Her father and sister were glad to see her, for the sake of showing her the house and the furniture, and met her with kindness. Her making a fourth, when they sat down to dinner, was noticed as an advantage." - Jane Austen, Chapter 15 of Persuasion

I have to admit that it was rather striking and funny when spoken by Sir Walter to his daughter in the movie. This is just one example of the way in which the media can either add to or subtract from the original work of an author. Adapting a story for a screenplay is tricky business. The writer has many decisions to make and some sacrifices, too. Time allows only so much, and it is inevitable that we the viewers will want more, usually no less than the complete book!

On the one hand it is exciting, for us the viewers, to experience one of our favorite books coming to life, to see the places Jane Austen wrote of and hear the wonderful dialog, and to marvel over her genius once more. On the other hand, it can sometimes be discouraging when we see our favorite book seemingly ruined by the misconceptions of writers, directors, or actors. The world of media is fickle, so many opinions and decisions bear upon the outcome of a movie.

In this section we will take a look at the movie adaptions and evaluate each as they compare with Jane Austen's books, the time period, and on their own merits.

Upcoming Austen Adaptations:

Mansfield Park (2007) - an ITV production staring Billie Piper
Northanger Abbey (2007) - an ITV production staring Felicity Jones & JJ Field
Persuasion (2007) - an ITV production staring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Perry-Jones
Sense & Sensibility - (2007) - a BBC production cast unkown

Previous Austen Adaptaions:
Pride & Prejudice (1940) - MGM production, staring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier
Persuasion (1971) - BBC mini series, staring Anne Firbank and Bryan Marshall
Emma (1972) - BBC mini series, staring Doran Godwin and John Carson
Pride & Prejudice (1980) - BBC mini series, staring Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul
Sense & Senibility (1981) - BBC mini series, staring Irene Richards and Tracey Childs
Mansfield Park (1983) - BBC mini series, staring Sylvestra Le Touzel & Nicholas Farrell
Northanger Abbey (1986) - BBC movie, staring Katherine Schlesinger and Peter Firth
Peruasion (1995) - BBC/Sony TV movie, staring Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds
Pride & Prejudice (1995) - BBC/A&E mini series, Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth
Sense & Sensibility (1995) - Columbia/Mirage production, staring Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant
Emma (1996) - Miramax production, staring Gwyneth Platrow and Jeremy Northam
Emma (1997) - ITV/A&E TV movie, staring Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong
Mansfield Park - Miramax production, staring Frances O'Connor and Johnny Lee Miller
Pride & Prejudice - Working Title production, staring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen