Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair starring Eve Matheson as Becky is one of the few film adaptations of a classic novel that allows you to be unashamed that you did not read the novel. Matheson's seemingly heartless, relentlessly maneuvering Becky is a characterization that compels us to cherish the art of film acting. She is hands down the quintessential Becky Sharp. Thackeray's subplots are well executed here with remarkable actors such as Sian Phillips in a tour de force performance as Miss Crawley.

Class consciousness is at center stage here. Everyone seems to be aspiring for a coveted spot in a society that never promised anyone a perpetual rose garden. Some think themselves secure enough in that esteemed class to condescend to amuse others whom they secretly hope will never truly take a place beside them in the register of the "haves". It is with the utmost degree of mortification that the "secure" wake up in an unguarded instant to find themselves hastily uninvited to social events, and stashing away their best silks and laces against the inevitable rap of the creditor on the front door. Beg, borrow, and try not to steal to see this Vanity Fair!

I agree with the other comments here. This would probably have to be the best adaptation of a book ever to be done to screen. And it is better than the 1998 series. The characters especially are very true to the book, especially Becky, Osborne, Rawdon and Lord Steyne. They even looked like their descriptions in the book e.g. Becky was small and sandy-haired, George Osborne proud and large-whiskered. By the end of the series I found it very hard to decide whether Becky was "innocent" or "guilty", which was the exact way she was portrayed in the novel. This series caught the colour, richness and comedy of the book, and captured Thackeray's disdain of most of the characters. As said in another comment, if you don't feel like ploughing through the book, watch this series, that is if you can find a copy of it........

So happy to find this series is now on DVD. I bought a copy on Amazon. Watching it again I find it does have a kind-of 1980s 'feel' to it, but it's still the best adaptation of the book around. Eve Matheson is perfect as Becky Sharp.

It's been great seeing this series again after twenty years. Eve Matheson plays Becky Sharp to perfection, from the early episodes where she seems sweet enough, to the devious schemer in the Napoleonic wars. In support, Rebecca Saire is a good Amelia, while Jack Klaff and Benedict Taylor play Rawdon and George very well. Sian Phillips, Freddie Jones, David Swift, and others also add good value.

Despite its continued unavailability, this is the best version to see. Far truer to the book than the 60s and 90s version, and much better than the Reece Witherspoon film (although that had its compensations outside of its status as an 'adaptation'). From the cartoon credits and trumpet theme through to its colour, life, and energy, this 'Vanity Fair' is special.

Why oh why isn't this brilliant adaptation available on video or dvd?? WHY???!!! I saw it way back in '87, and have yearned for it ever since. I don't understand why it was never released on video or dvd -- it was SO good, and I would pay good money to have it. Sigh.