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Period Films of the Jane Austen Variety and Other Favorites
By an Amazon.com customer
North & SouthNorth & South
Buy new: $24.99 / Used from: $24.25
Loved this miniseries from BBC. It is broken up into 4 one hour episodes for easier viewing if you don't have a chunk of time to devote to it all at once. I highly recommend.
Wives and DaughtersWives and Daughters
Buy new: $31.99 / Used from: $30.03
From the same author as North and South - another solid adaptation.
CranfordCranford
Buy new: $25.99 / Used from: $26.80
Another Elizabeth Gaskell adaptation with Dame Judi. I haven't seen this yet, but am looking foward to it.
Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996)Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996)
Buy new: $23.99 / Used from: $18.50
Hands down the best Pride and Prejudice version out there. And of course Colin Firth. What else can be said?
Pride & Prejudice [HD DVD]Pride & Prejudice [HD DVD]
Buy new: $13.95 / Used from: $6.99
This is a good version with good acting for as much as they had to condense everything down. I thought the very end was a bit cheesy and I'm not sure if Austen would have liked it.
Sense & Sensibility (with Miss Austen Regrets) (BBC TV 2008)Sense & Sensibility (with Miss Austen Regrets) (BBC TV 2008)
Buy new: $25.99 / Used from: $18.79
Excellent version. It is a bit more faithful to the book and the actress playing Elinor seems a bit more age appropriate than Emma Thompson. It also includes the lovely Miss Austen Regrets.
Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $4.99
I also love this version directed by Ang Lee and adapted for the screen by Emma Thompson. The acting is wonderful, as is Alan Rickman's voice. Probably still my favorite version, though the 2008 Masterpiece Theatre version is right up there.
Masterpiece Theatre: Northanger AbbeyMasterpiece Theatre: Northanger Abbey
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $14.71
Wonderful new Masterpiece Theatre adaptation of Northanger Abbey.
Masterpiece Theatre: Mansfield ParkMasterpiece Theatre: Mansfield Park
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $13.70
Decent version of Mansfield Park.
Mansfield Park (1999)Mansfield Park (1999)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $6.99
Not quite as faithful to the book, but another decent version of Mansfield Park. I prefer the lead actress in this version to the one in the 2007 Masterpiece Theatre version - but both are worth viewing.
Emma (A&E, 1997)Emma (A&E, 1997)
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $8.60
This version of Emma has its good points and bad when compared with the Gwyneth Paltrow version. Definitely worth viewing both though.
Emma (1996)Emma (1996)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $6.49
I saw this version of Emma prior to the Kate Beckinsale version so am probably a smidge more partial to it. I prefer Jeremy Northam to the lead actor in the 1997 version, though I would recommend both.
PersuasionPersuasion
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $14.11
This new Masterpiece Theatre version is beautifully done and the actor that plays Captain Wentworth is very easy on the eyes. The version that was aired on PBS ended quite abruptly which I disliked, but I've heard that the DVD adds the deleted scenes back in and rounds it out a bit more.
PersuasionPersuasion
Buy used from: $3.47
Jane Austen Collection (Sense & Sensibility / Emma / Persuasion / Mansfield Park / Pride & Prejudice / Northanger Abbey)Jane Austen Collection (Sense & Sensibility / Emma / Persuasion / Mansfield Park / Pride & Prejudice / Northanger Abbey)
Buy new: $44.99 / Used from: $38.47
If you haven't seen any of the versions - I would recommend the newer ones first. But if you want to see everything Jane Austen that is out there - these may be for you.
Becoming JaneBecoming Jane
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $9.99
A highly fictionalized tale about Miss Austen. I'm a sucker for these kinds of movies, so I enjoyed it and won't go in to my nitpicks here. And of course - the lovely James McAvoy.
An Ideal HusbandAn Ideal Husband
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $5.16
Excellent acting and chacteristic wit in this adaption. Highly recommend.
The Importance of Being EarnestThe Importance of Being Earnest
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $5.35
Once again the actors deliver.
Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre, 2006)Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre, 2006)
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $20.98
My newest favorite version of Jane Eyre. Wonderful adaptation by Masterpiece Theatre.
Little Women (Collector's Edition)Little Women (Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $2.85
I had to throw this in here. Loved this version of Little Women with a young Christian Bale.
A Room with a View (Two-Disc Special Edition)A Room with a View (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Buy new: $24.99 / Used from: $15.99
The Age of InnocenceThe Age of Innocence
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $5.65
Martin Scorsese directed this suberbly acted version of the Edith Wharton novel. Don't expect the lightness of Jane Austen though.
The House of MirthThe House of Mirth
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.00
Vanity Fair (2004) (Widescreen)Vanity Fair (2004) (Widescreen)
Buy new: $11.49 / Used from: $1.25
Masterpiece Theatre: Elizabeth I - The Virgin QueenMasterpiece Theatre: Elizabeth I - The Virgin Queen
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $16.45
James McAvoy's real life wife plays the title role in this excellent Masterpiece Theatre film.
The InheritanceThe Inheritance
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $4.39
Our Mutual FriendOur Mutual Friend
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $9.53
The BuccaneersThe Buccaneers
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $9.53
Tess of the D'UrbervillesTess of the D'Urbervilles
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $10.14
Lorna DooneLorna Doone
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $8.98
The Remains of the Day (Special Edition)The Remains of the Day (Special Edition)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $7.05
Howards End - The Merchant Ivory CollectionHowards End - The Merchant Ivory Collection
Buy new: $21.99 / Used from: $15.46
Ethan FromeEthan Frome
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $5.00
Daniel DerondaDaniel Deronda
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $9.39
MiddlemarchMiddlemarch
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $8.98
Nicholas NicklebyNicholas Nickleby
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $2.25
Berkeley SquareBerkeley Square
Buy new: $34.99 / Used from: $21.89
Under the Greenwood TreeUnder the Greenwood Tree
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $12.00
Washington SquareWashington Square
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $3.25
The Tenant of Wildfell HallThe Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $9.19