Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #66700 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-04-01
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 110 minutes

Customer Reviews

Enthralling and Rich Production
Delbert Mann's direction is somewhat pedestrian but the cast and visuals more than compensate his static approach. George C. Scott is wonderful as Rochester while Susannah York is capable and satisfactory in the title role (Jane Eyre) yet she seems to lack some passion either from an inward or outward perspective. Jack Hawkins is brilliant as the malevolent headmaster. However, the motivations for his hideous nature are left unexplored. This version of JANE EYRE is beautifully photographed and richly textured and very compelling. John William's score is very British and appropriately composed to augment the visuals. In all this is a well intentioned and splendid production but seems to lack some of the mysterious and enigmatic qualities of earlier versions. Yet it is still very enthralling.

Susannah York easily the best Jane.
Of all the actresses who have attempted this role, belated congratulations to Miss Susannah York for alone understanding "Jane" to the core, a knowledge absolutely necessary to render the character in a manner that Miss Bronte herself would assuredly recognize and approve.

No other film actress has achieved Jane's self possession, self reliance, modesty, and self control in a way that consistently points to the novel itself, rather than some film director's misguided attempts to deliver a trivialized cartoon cut out. And it is these attributes that render Miss York's treatment of Jane's deeply held emotions all the more affecting, since they are kept under lock and key.

In short, Miss York appears to have read the novel.

Some other actresses have come somewhat close, (Joan Fontaine) while others have evidently had no conception of what on earth they were doing (Virginia Bruce).

Suffice it to say that up to now, Susannah York has bested all others. As Mr. Roderick, George C. Scott is too old, but turns in a serviceable performance otherwise.

Plaudits also to the cinematography for achieving a truly romantic bleakness comparable the paintings of Caspar David Friederich. Delbert Mann understood the importance of landscape to this story, (another key attribute jettisoned in other versions) and for this he is to be congratulated.

Finally, the sumptuous and unforgettable score of John Williams. Forget hackneyed "Star Wars"--for this is a score of genuine musical achievement, richly romantic, stirring and melancholic all at the same time, not to mention being eminently listenable on its own terms.

Three cheers to all concerned in this A-1 production.

Jane Eyre
I would like to give this 5 stars since this is my favorite version of the classic, but the quality of the transfer to DVD is so bad that I had a hard time watching it. It is really sad to see such a good film with lines running through the picture and also problems with the sound track. I certainly hope that some day there will be a much better transfer of this version made.