Jane Eyre

This wonderful 1983 BBC television production (not a movie, as others have written here) of the classic love story "Jane Eyre", starring Timothy Dalton as Rochester, and Zelah Clarke as Jane, is the finest version that has been made to date, since it is the most faithful to the novel by Charlotte Bronte in both concept and dialogue.

A classic becomes a classic for very specific reasons; when film producers start to meddle with a classic's very lifeblood then that classic is destroyed. Thankfully the producers of THIS "Jane Eyre" approached the story with respect and faithfulness towards the original, which results in a spectacularly addictive concoction that is worth viewing multiple times, to enjoy its multi-layers of sweetness and delight and suspense. The performances are delightful, the music is just right, even the Gothic design of the house and outdoor shots are beautiful, and set the right tone for the production.

My only criticism, though slight, is that this version, like every other version ever made of Jane Eyre, ignores the Christian influences that built Jane's character and influenced her moral choices. In today's modern world a woman in Jane's situation wouldn't think twice but to stay with Rochester after finding out he had an insane wife and was still married to her. "Oh, just get a divorce", she would say to her man, or she would live in sin with him. But Jane Eyre knew she couldn't settle for this course in life and respect herself. Why? This decision was based on the foundations of the Christian faith she had been taught since childhood, not from the brutal Calvinist Lowood Institution, but from the Christian example of a true friend, Helen Burns, who was martyred rather than not turn the other cheek. Someday I would like to see some version depict these influences a little more fully in an adaptation. A classic novel that ends with the heroine writing "Even so, come Lord Jesus!" should not have the foundations of that faith stripped out of it.

I had no idea what Jane Eyre was before I saw this miniseries. I had read and watched many classics before, and I believed that most classics were boring, over-worded, and overrated stories with moderately interesting plots at best. This Jane Eyre miniseries completely changed my conceptions.

Zelah Clarke is a fabulous actress, and she gives a wonderful portrayal of Jane Eyre. Her accent is delightful and her quiet, yet firm nature matches the young governess' character exactly. Timothy Dalton is an amazing Rochester. His passion and energy in the film makes me believe that he was born to play the brooding master of Thornfield Hall. I couldn't sleep at all the night after I had watched this miniseries. The plot is both haunting and inspiring. The characters are masterfully performed, and the story is incredible. This is the best version of Jane Eyre to ever appear on film.

I read the book later and was amazed at how closely this miniseries followed Charolette Bronte's writing. Jane Eyre is now my favorite film and book. If you want to see a masterpiece that will change your life, watch the 1983 BBC version of Jane Eyre.

This version of Jane Eyre is simply AMAZING! If you haven't seen it already, you should because there will never be another like it. This four-hour adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's novel hardly leaves out the crucial parts that are often left out and overlooked by the other versions I've seen. For the fans of the novel, you will find that this movie includes many lines straight from the novel. You may be surprised on how easy to follow this movie is. I have watched the movie with the book in hand to help answer any questions I may have had.

The dashing Timothy Dalton fits the part of Edward Fairfax Rochester, almost too well, except for one thing; he is FAR too handsome for the Rochester spoken of in the novel! :) Despite this, he brings the Rochester created in my mind to life, because with every line he spoke, Timothy brought a fiery magic to his character. "He was born to play the role," some have said. I must say, I agree. I have watched this movie many times over, and I hardly find a fault to his performance. I think that if I was closer to Tim's age, that I would find my self-swooning over his fine features and magnetic accent. Accents are so sexy! Come on ladies, don't you agree?! :)

Yes, I could go on forever talking about him, but, now I must move on to Zelah Clarke, who although may seem too old to play the part of Jane Eyre, shared a great chemistry with her co-star. Their onscreen chemistry is too magnificent to put into words. Some have said she was not `plain enough' to play the role, I agree that she was pretty, but I think she fit her role just as well as Timothy. I hope that she is well remembered for playing the part of the plain, quakerish governess for decades to come. After all, She deserves to be remembered because of her acting talents. They both [Dalton & Clarke] have immortalized the classic story that touches on the idea that Love is blind. Love knows no age limits.

In conclusion, this truly is an old-fashioned romance movie, and the settings and supporting characters add to the incredible adaptation from the novel to the movie. Bravo, BBC!

Not until recently, after I purchased this version of Jane Eyre, that I discovered the numerous other versions of the infamous adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's original story. I've seen them all and have come to the conclusion (although, as some other commentors pointed out, yes Rochester played by Timothy Dalton, is too goodlooking for the intended character) that this is the most detailed and best layout for what Bronte had initially written. Even as Dalton was not the "picture" of Rochester he played his personality exquisitely (Dalton is well known for those amazing outbursts anyway) and Zelah Clarke playing Eyre was excellent too. I won't undermine the other versions out there, I even recommend you check out the first version with Orson Welles (1934), but personally, I found BBC's version as the best. Enjoy them!

OH, and for those of you who are in search of BBC's Jane Eyre, it is available (in the US) at most major video stores now.

This review comes nearly 30 years late. Nevertheless, it has to be mentioned that I chanced by a copy of this movie sometime in early 2008 and watched it repeatedly for 4 months straight! I just had to write about it! I got smitten and forgot anything else existed once I saw this movie. How ironic it is to see Literature's ugliest male protagonist portrayed by the handsomest man! yet, what a welcome irony! It suited me perfectly and more so because Timothy Dalton did full justice to his role. He delivered an astounding and triumphant performance! I have never seen anything like it! All the other actors are very good too. The whole movie was put together beautifully. I don't care what anyone says about this movie. I just love it and love it! It made me happy and satisfied. It crushes me a bit to say this but I prefer Jane Eyre 1983 to A&E's P&J, which I believe is the ultimate mini-series.

The excerpts from Jane Eyre spooked me a little back in school. I never got around to reading the book seriously knowing the story line so well. Seeing this particular production made the story come to life for me and drove me to a near frenzy. The scenes and Mr. Dalton's voice haunted me endlessly and finally led me to read the book seriously, which, of course is a masterpiece. Bravo to the whole team and especially to Mr.Dalton!! This movie is now a part of me.

I give it 10/10 rating.