Based on the Victorian novel by George Eliot, it features Jewish characters in a favorable light—uncommon for the period.

As mentioned above, both versions take liberties with the novel. This movie with only 121 minutes has to hurry parts but Emma (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Mr. Knightly have excellent on screen chemistry.

The movie is based on the novel by American writer Louisa May Alcott. I have not read the novel but the story is good and can be enjoyed on its own.

Charlotte Bronte’s 1847 novel, Jane Eyre, is one of the most famous novels of Victorian literature. However, this 1971 adaptation starring George C. Scoot and Susannah York is not the best. Three stars.

This fascinating Hallmark Hall of Fame television film was adapted from a short story by Jack Finney. It is not strictly a period movie, more like a love story that spans time such as The Lake House. Unfortunately, it is no longer available new. I borrowed it from my local library and you can still buy it used on Amazon.com. I recommend it.

This 1983 BBC miniseries is 261 minutes in length. While the budget was less than the 1999 version, and the actors were not as accomplished, this production is very close to the Austen story. Much of the dialogue is verbatim from the novel. Well worth watching. Four Stars.

An excellent four-hour BBC mini-series adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's 1854 novel. Margaret Hale is forced to move with her parents from an idyllic country parsonage to the gritty industrial town of Milton after her father leaves the ministry. In Milton she meets the mill owner Mr. Thornton. This is a romance in the spirit of Pride & Prejudice. Also see Wives & Daughters. Five Stars for both!

Because of the rather complex family relationships in this movie, you need to watch it a few times or read Jane Austen’s novel. Both are good choices. This was Jane Austen’s last completed novel. It was published posthumously in 1817.

Made in 1996, this superb 300-minute long A&E/BBC mini-series is an adaptation of Jane Austen's 1813 novel. Although the opening scene is not in the book, whole pages of text are presented verbatim. Five Stars!

This is a 1985 BBC mini-series. As with the 1996 version, the opening scene is radically altered from Austen’s novel, but again whole pages of text are presented verbatim. Regrettably, the acting is like that of a stage production with long lines of dialogue. They often stood tall and stiff with only slight interaction with the set and sadly limited facial expression or feeling. Three stars.

Adapted from an 1872 novel by Thomas Hardy. He considered it one of his lesser works but it is a fine period romance.

Wilkie Collins, considered this 1859 novel his greatest achievement. It is darker than The Moonstone, also written by him. Both are excellent stories.