Emma

I have rated this quite highly on two counts - one, the casting (largely forgotten names litter the cast including Doran Godwin as Emma, John Carson as Mr Knightley, Debbie Bowen as Harriet, Constance Chapman as Miss Bates, and Timothy Peters as Mr Elton) and two, an absorbing adaptation even if done in obviously studio (and rather cheap) sets.

Running at four hours plus, this version does more justice to the book than more cursory and recent attempts have been able to. Although both Emma and Knightley come across as a little older than they should be (21 and 39 I believe in the book), their growing understanding is believable, and you do find yourself hoping for that elusive happy ending.

What does mark it down is the annoying tune! Quick bit of trivia: Blackadder fans should note that Robert East, Prince Harry in the first series, is here as Frank Churchill.

This old BBC serial from the 70s is a slow ramble through one of Jane Austen's great novels. Like all slow rambles there are lots of incidental delights on the way. Time is given for the development of character and the unravelling of the plot. The later film with Gwyneth Paltrow is faster but shallower. This is plainly filmed and there is none of the gorgeous lighting effects that decorate the Paltrow film. Some of it is shot outdoors, notably the Box Hill scene, but it is mainly unfussy interiors.

Doran Godwin's performance as Emma is fine. She brings out the contradictions and weaknesses in her character as well as her many strengths. Jane Austen wanted a heroine that no one would like but herself, then proceeded to create a fully rounded character who is very likeable. The length of the mini-series enables there to be many scenes between Emma and Harriet and Emma and Mr Knightly that illustrate all their characters well. Debbie Bowen and John Carson give excellent support.The rest of the cast of British actors are good. Constance Chapman as Miss Bates is touching and Fiona Walker rips into the part of Mrs Elton with great relish. Donald Eccles is perfectly tiring as Mr Woodhouse.

There seem to be two ways to film Jane Austen. The slower but more complete version like this film and 'Sense and Sensibility' (1971) or the modern upbeat shorter film like 'Emma' (1996) or 'Mansfield Park' (1999). Perhaps only the BBC's 1995 mini series of 'Pride and Prejudice' created the perfect fusion.

This 'Emma' is well worth seeing. If you adjust yourself to the gentle pace there is plenty to enjoy

If you liked the book Emma by Jane Austen I do not think you will be disappointed with this dramatization. They did change a few things from the book but those who have not read the book will get most of the content. I particularly enjoyed the costumes. The gowns, hats and caps of the ladies were spectacular. The detail, even down to the ornate hat pins, helped make this a delight to watch. The characterizations were quite faithful for the most part. Mr.Woodhouse, while perhaps not quite the same as the book, was an interesting and quite funny character. This mini-series did a very good job of capturing a great deal of the humor of Jane Austen (she is incredibly funny!) which is not all that easy to translate from her elegant prose to the camera and dialog of video rendition. When I see something like this that is so well done it makes me appreciate anew this art form and especially that of script writing....not to mention blocking....editing.... I think the mini-series is friendlier to a good adaption of Jane Austen's novels rather than the movie. This is my favorite of those I have seen with the A & E 1996 version as a close 2nd and the 1996 movie as my least favorite. I have not seen 1948 & 1960 BBC versions - wonder where I can find them???

I really enjoyed this version of "Emma" and my pleasure was largely due to the very convincing performance by Doran Goodwin in the central role. She was so much better than Kate Beckinsdale in the ITV version who it seems to me lacked the necessary vivacity and personality to carry the role. This Emma was very expressive, arch and satirical, very much, I Imagine, as Jane Austen must have been herself. And unlike the ITV version, which was abominably miscast (excepting Mark Strong's Mr Knightley), this casting was near perfect.

My only complaint is that too much of the action took place indoors, which made it a little claustrophobic and too much like a stage play. We were not allowed to see the village or any exterior shots of Miss Bates dwelling, just room doors opening and closing. The only time we saw anyone in a carriage was during the trip to Box Hill and that was all too brief.

But the indoor scenes were magnificent and authentic looking, too good I'm sure to be just studio sets; they must all have been filmed on location, perhaps in the very large house pictured in the opening shots.

I haven't seen Kate Beckinsale's version in a while, but I do have fond memories of that and shall re-visit it soon. I did enjoy the Gwyneth Paltrow film though that's probably the least effective adaptation-wise, and while the 2009 series with Romola Garai had one or two scenes that didn't work I loved that one too. But I consider this Emma the best version. I too would've liked a few more outdoor scenes to have more of a glimpse of the outside world, and Debbie Bowen does play Harriet a little too broadly. However, it looks beautiful, the interiors more than made up for the lack of outdoor scenes and the scenery and costumes are likewise sumptuous with the photography not too stiff. The writing is thoughtful and witty, and the story is leisurely and gently told in a deliberate way and in spirit and in most details it is true to Jane Austen. Doran Godwin may be too old for the titular character, but what mattered more to me was how she interpreted the role, and I think she did a very good job with Austen's most multifaceted character. John Carson is the same as Knightley, but still turns in a likable performance. Mr Woodhouse is very funny and splendidly played by Donald Eccles(though I personally think Michael Gambon in the 2009 series was a tad more dimensional), while Ania Marsan, Robert East and Constance Chapman give the best Jane Fairfax, Frank Churchill and Miss Bates I've seen, great performances and their characters are very well developed. Overall, wonderful. 9/10 Bethany Cox