Persuasion

It is the best adaptation of Persuasion that I have seen. It balances all the key plot points so well.

Here is one of Jane Austen's movies that I found very delightful. I read the book first then listened to it on CD and was captivated by how a young Victorian girl could be persuaded against marrying the man she loved due to his lack of a fortune or education. The joy of knowing that Anne is evidently reunited with a lost love. The fact that her godmother tries to marry her off to a good for nothing cousin who's only out for money. Looking at the snobbery that comes from the upper classes and how class distinctions can divide couples from following their hearts. Captain Wentworth realization that he still loves Anne after seven years. His final understanding that Anne's love was constant all that time and they she wasn't going to let her family interfere with her true happiness and eventual marriage to one she truly loved.

As a big Jane Austen fan, I found this Persuasion very interesting. I still consider the 1995 version the best version mainly because I find the character development richer, but this version is much better than the dull and passionless 2007 ITV version. It is not perfect, the hairstyles and costumes and both un-authentic and distracting, unflattering even in some cases. However, it is handsomely filmed, even with some stiffness and the scenery is absolutely beautiful. The music is nice and simple, not over-bearing. The story and atmosphere are not as rich as 1995, and I'd say the same with the characters, but for anybody fussy about faithfulness to the book this version is slightly truer. I didn't mind the length or the pacing, the story isn't as lengthy as Mansfield Park for instance but needs a fair length and a leisurely pace to do justice to the story and characters as well as the class distinctions, which this version mostly did, especially in regard to Lady Russell and Elizabeth, both of whom are the closest-written to their novelistic counterparts than the other versions. The acting is good, Ann Firbank is I agree too old, but she more than makes up for it for her expressive face and her suitably introverted acting. Bryan Marshall is excellent as Wentworth, humorous, teasing yet also handsome and subtly bitter. The chemistry between Anne and Wentworth didn't admittedly move me as much as the 1995 version, but I did still feel there was one, unlike the 2007 version. The supporting cast are just as good, Valerie Gearon and Marion Spencer make the most of their characters, Rowland Davies is suitably buoyant and Richard Vernon and Michael Culver are also solid. All in all, a very interesting adaptation if not my favourite version. 8/10 Bethany Cox

When it comes to most movies made about classic novels, most people complain that it wasn't true to the novel. You can't say that about this. That's the one (and only) good point about this movie. I couldn't stand the woman who played Anne. I know she was supposed to be older, but not THAT old! She looked like she was 40! Anne's only supposed to be 27 or something like that. And I could NOT stand how she did her hair. Captain Wentworth was ok, but no where near as dashing as you imagine him when you read the book, and Captain Benwick was just plain frightening. I thought the girl who played Louisa Musgrove was really good, the same with the woman who played Mary. I don't remember having any specific complaints with any of the other characters, so I suppose they did well enough. The script was very close, sometimes word for word, with the book. However, this did make the movie rather boring. I thoroughly enjoyed the book...every time i read it. I never was bored at all throughout the entire novel, so I'm blaming my boredom on the movie's direction and acting. The character of Anne was supposed to be calm, not completely dull...which is what this actress was. Overall I must say i was disappointed with this movie. Compared to the newer version I preferred the newer one, mainly because of the actress who played Anne. This movies wasn't completely terrible, but it wasn't any good either.

Anne: played the part well enough. However, she looked near 40 instead of 27 and had the look of a heavy smoker about her. Her hair also looked like a weird hair helmet the first half of the show and did not fit regency style in the slightest.

Wentworth: enjoy his portrayal for the most part but disliked some of the directing choices they gave him. He too seemed rather old for the part but not as old as Anne.

Sir Walter: seemed more angry than annoyed and snobby. He too seemed much much older than than early 50's.

Admiral & Mrs. Croft: Mr. Croft was downright elderly looking and sounding. Though the acting was good. The screen writers and directors made him come across as a tiresome elderly man.

Mrs. Croft was acted well enough and neither here or there as memorable.

Mary: cast very well though they had her sounding VERY harsh.

Elizabeth: perfectly cast and acted. She played the part of oblivious snob quite well.

Charles: very well cast and acted. He portrayed the good natured and jovial character with ease.

Henrietta: also perfectly cast as a sweet, happy girl with pleasant manners and an open countenance.

Louisa: very poorly cast, acted and directed. She practically shouted all her lines, even her incessant giggling. She comes across as ditsy rather than just good humoured.

Mrs. Clay: perfectly smarmy and

Mr. Elliot: very charming. Too charming. Just as this character is intended. This was so well acted that he was the best casting choice for the whole movie. My new favourite Mr. Elliot across all 4 adaptations.

Lady Russel: acted just fine though not very memorably on the whole.

Mrs. Smith: also acted well and seemed a good choice for the role.

This adaptation is the most book accurate as far as story goes. Typical stiff aching transitions of the 70's and very 70's styled regency decor for the sets. Many of the dress fabric patterns were also very 70's feeling. None of this is a negative as it IS '71 BBC! I still prefer the '95, but this is a close 2nd! Leaps above '07. Leaps AND bounds above '22 which was trash.