Emma

Of the four film and TV miniseries productions available of Jane Austen's "Emma," this one is the second best. This and the 1996 independent film that stars Gwyneth Paltrow are the only two that bring out the best of the comedy and characters as Jane Austen wrote and saw them. The 1996 movie is superior. But this 1972 miniseries is very good in all aspects. The screenplay is very good, the casting is very good and the performances mostly are very good.

The cast for this BBC production was not one of big names in film. Some were more prominent on the stage, and others had short careers in film and/or TV. But, for their lack of notoriety, several gave fine performances. Doran Godwin was exceptional as Emma Woodhouse. Donald Eccles played Mr. Woodhouse to perfection – as one could see him coming right off the pages of Austen's novel. No one else has equaled that performance. It should be noted that this early miniseries gave considerable time to his character, where most later productions saved time by reducing his film time.

Debbie Bowen presents a more girlish picture of Harriet Smith than most renditions. That's not a negative, but it's worth noting where all other productions have a somewhat more adult or serious character, none of which are quite as attractive though. The rest of the cast of this series are good. At four hours, this TV series didn't add anything that the best film (1996 with Gwyneth Paltrow) might have missed, but it expanded some of the scenes and developed a couple of the characters a little more.

Very few people have rated this production. Even though it is a few decades back, it would be sure to please those who enjoy Jane Austen and any of the other productions of "Emma." And, for any who haven't yet seen the 1996 independent film with Gwyneth Paltrow, be sure to do so. It stands alone at the top of the class of "Emma" films.

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 have just finished watching this adaptation of Emma for the first time and I feel I must openly declare here that it seems to me quite shameful that the Paltrow and the Beckinsale versions should be more often remembered. How that is to be explained I am at a loss to tell. It is true that John Carson may not look to be the epitome of Knightleyness, but he does a most excellent job of acting like Mr Knightley, and that is what one should care about, I say. Indeed, I was gratified by the sheer intelligence and sensitivity of all the actors in it, the director, the screenwriter and even the dress-maker or whatever she is called. The clothes and dresses may not all have been true to the times but most certainly they were thoughtfully true to the characters.

Also, wonder of wonders, there is no musical soundtrack to pester one's feelings telling them what to feel at every turn. What that does is it helps to make dialogues sound truthful, natural and issuing from people who are thoroughly engaged – both as actors and characters – in listening to each other.

Another thing that has contributed to place this in my estimation as the best extant adaptation of Emma is that there is no symbolic meddling with the story (excepting perhaps on the last tableau). One thing I love in Jane Austen – which is of course not what there is to be loved in other authors – is that nothing she writes has any symbols: every little thing is whatever it is, no less, no more. And I unconditionally praise the director John Glenister, the screenwriter Denis Constanduros and the producer Martin Lisemore for having seen that simple fact about Jane Austen and for having brought the book to life so clearly and so lovingly.

So three cheers for them, and five to Doran Godwin.

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.

If you are a Jane Austen fan and considering to buy a film of Emma i would recommend this version. This because , as a TV series it's longer then any movie and therefor includes more of the original story. Also the acting is very good and the whole production has a Austen feel about it. Yes it's been mostly filmed in a studio but to me that gives it a more intimate feeling. Also i have to say that i did like the version with Kate Beckinsale but do not really care of the version with Gwyneth Paltrow. This TV series lasts about 4 and a half hours. So, if you look for a shorter version , take the Beckinsale and if you really want to dive into it, take this one. I would like to single out Donald Eccles who , as Emma's father, is very funny as is Mary Holder as Mrs. Bates.