From acclaimed writer Andrew Davies (BBC's Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth) comes this enchanting new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel about love and marriage. Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve when she falls in love with the charming but unsuitable John Willoughby, ignoring her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behavior leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Elinor, sensitive to social convention, struggles to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Will the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love?
DVD Features: Audio Commentary Interviews Outtakes Photo gallery
Lush, dramatic, and beautifully acted, the BBC's three-part miniseries Sense & Sensibility captures the languid urgency that resonates throughout the Jane Austen novel on which it is based. The miniseries begins with a seduction scene: As a young girl cautiously gives herself to a man, she asks, "But when will you come back?" He answers ominously, "Soon... very soon," and gallops off into the night. We know what she does not--that he will not return for her. But viewers do not learn until the end who the couple are, and how their actions set off a chain of events. It is inevitable that this period piece will be compared to the 1995 big screen adaptation that starred Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant, and won Thompson an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. To its credit, this later version stands up incredibly well, with actors whose looks match Austen's written description. And due to a longer running time than the film version, there is more attention paid to detail and minor characters. Sense & Sensibility focuses on the longings of the Dashwood sisters Elinor (Hattie Morahan) and Marianne (Charity Wakefield). After their wealthy father dies, leaving his entire estate to their milquetoast half brother John (Mark Gatiss), Elinor, Marianne, their younger sister Margaret (Lucy Boynton), and their mother are left penniless. John and his shrew-like wife Fanny move into the manor, making the Dashwoods feel like unwanted guests. It is only after Fanny's handsome and kind brother Edward Ferrars (Dan Stevens) arrives for a visit that Elinor feels happy again. Marianne, too, has attracted the attention of two suitors: serious and shy Colonel Brandon (David Morrissey) and dashing Willoughby (Dominic Cooper). Learning that the 35-year-old colonel is interested in her, a stunned Marianne says, "You do realize that it will be impossible for me to speak to him again." Her actions are that of a little girl, running away and hiding when he comes to call on her. But her feelings for Willoughby are real: the kind of love a girl feels for the first time. The differences in the sisters' choices, actions, and secrets set the tone for an era when a perceived impropriety could ruin a woman's reputation and her family's standing in a community. Filmed in England with good use of aerial shots, the production has a sweeping feel that adds a distinct flavor to the drama. As with many Austen novels, the heroines in Sense & Sensibility go through many misunderstandings before their happily-ever-after ending. But that ending leaves viewers satisfied that things turned out just the way that they should.
Austen fans will be delighted with the second disc in this set: Miss Austen Regrets is a perfect companion to the miniseries, starring Olivia Williams stars as the author, and Greta Scacchi--who could easily pass as Williams' real-life sibling--as Austen's sister Cassandra. The film takes a bittersweet look at Austen's life and hints at what could have been had she married one of her suitors. Smart and headstrong, Austen refuses to cave into society's notions of what a proper woman should do. While her famous heroines all paired up with dashing gentlemen, Austen found that the loves of her life were her written creations. --Jae-Ha Kim
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
SUPERVISINGLY SUPERIOR TO EMMA THOMPSON'S PRODUCTION:
Most of the BBC productions of J.Austen's works; have not lived up to the- one would hope- artistic standards you would use in bringing Miss Austen's incomparable novels to life. Fortunately as the sensitive and sensible person that I am; this production has used the 'huge' allotment of time BBC/PBS gives to their "Master Piece" programs, sensibly, and smartly done. Of course, when you see a reproduction of a loved work, you may be blinded to the vision the director and the screen writer has, if... more info
Well Done But Not Quite Up to Ang Lee's Version:
I thought this version of Sense and Sensibility was well acted, scripted, and photographed. I watched it on a large screen TV and was impressed how beautiful the film looked. It's a totally satisfying version of the novel and better than the other recent PBS Jane Austen adaptations that were screened. (I don't count Emma, which I really like, because that was filmed years ago.) Nevertheless, the actresses who play Elinor and Marianne while very good cannot hold a candle to Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet.... more info
I like them both for different reasons.....:
I have to say that I have been in love with the character of Colonel Brandon since I was twelve and I read this novel the first time. In both films, the 1995 and the BBC production, I find myself remembering why, the character is played by two men who are both powerful in presence but who have a softness to them. The fact that in previous movies they have played villians actually adds to this unexpected goodness in this role, Rickman in Die Hard/Robin Hood and David Morrissey in The Reaping. Oh, they are... more info
Love Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility+Miss Austen Regrets:
I loved this movie when it aired on MPTV and enjoyed it uninterrupted in my sitting room....the characters are perfect and the scenery wonderful. Jane Austen's material comes to life and if she were alive would so enjoy watching. Amazon Rocks....its not Net Flicks and I have to send my movie back...its mine and when I feel like it I can pop it in and have a visit with my old friends...Thanks you, BLC
