Mansfield Park

This is the worst adaptation of 'Mansfield Park' I have ever seen, even worse than the 1999 film version. I struggle to see how it could even be described as an 'adaptation', being only very (and I mean very) loosely based on Jane Austen's plot and characters. At best, this is 'inspired' by the story of 'Mansfield Park' and I'm sorry to say that it's barely recognisable to the original.

I like Billie Piper. I enjoyed her in 'Doctor Who' and do think she is an aspiring actress. However, I'm sorry to say that she is completely miscast as the lead in this, and when I first heard that she would be playing Fanny Price I thought it was a joke. What were the writers thinking? Billie is the polar opposite to her character, both in looks and sensibility. One reason why this novel is so difficult to adapt for a 21st century audience is that the character of the heroine is, by modern standards, incredibly dull. She's a product of the time in which she was written and is meant to be humble, pious, respectful and not in the least bit outspoken or inappropriate. Many modern adaptations feel the need to shake up the story and make Fanny Price more like Elizabeth Bennet which is exactly what they've done here. The writers have also completely disregarded issues of 18th century etiquette and fashion - Billie as Fanny runs around permanently bareheaded (which simply wouldn't have happened then, Fanny would have worn a bonnet in public) and with her hair all loose and flowing (which looks pretty but still wouldn't have happened in the 18th century - it would have been tied up and styled in some way).

But essentially it's the plot that I objected to - where was it? Nothing happened. Also, I'm guessing this must have been a budget adaptation as they could clearly only afford to buy one set. Every happened either in the sitting room or the garden. The ball that is thrown in Fanny's honour in the book is here transformed into a summer picnic on the lawn. In addition, a key event in the story involves Fanny going back to Portsmouth to visit her parents, something that makes her realise that perhaps life at Mansfield Park is not so bad in comparison with where she would have otherwise grown up, and that helps her to discover a sense of her own identity. In this adaptation, Fanny is simply left home alone at Mansfield while the rest of the family go off somewhere, which merely results in her feeling (shock horror) lonely and rejected – and viewers like me suspecting that the producers didn't have much money. What was the point of that? Bravo Blake Ritson. You were the best thing in this and were the only one who bared a passing resemblance to the character you were playing. Other than that, it looks pretty, Billie Piper puts in a spirited performance and it's not unlike 'Cinderella' in many ways. Kids and young teenagers would probably love it, but anyone aged about 15 and over, with even a slight acquaintance with Jane Austen's work would do well to avoid.

5/10.

This is a really disappointing version of a clever book, with inappropriate characterisations and appalling acting from its lead actress. As Fanny Price, Billie Piper is just wrong in every respect - too modern, too flirtatious, and too aware of her station.

However there are some compensations, even if the characters are portrayed with little reference to the original book - Douglas Hodge, Jemma Redgrave, and Maggie O'Neill are pretty good, while Blake Ritson has a decent stab at the role of Edmund.

It just doesn't feel right or have the correct sense of period. It's a bit without character, and a missed opportunity.

Fanny Price (Billie Piper) was sent to live with her aunts in Mansfield Park at the age of 10. Her aunt Mrs. Norris gets tired of her. Her other aunt Lady Bertram and her wealthy husband Sir Thomas Bertram have four children, Tom (James D'Arcy), Edmund (Blake Ritson), Maria (Michelle Ryan), and Julia (Catherine Steadman). All of them treat Fanny as inferior except Edmund. She falls in love with his kindness. Sir Thomas has to attend to business in the West Indies. Tom returns as a degenerate gambler. Edmund is left as the head of the family. Maria is engaged and plans to marry after her father's return. The family is turned upside down with the arrival of their neighbors siblings Mary (Hayley Atwell) and Henry Crawford (Joseph Beattie).

Billie Piper is a very modern personality and doesn't fit the Fanny character. She's itching to break out of her restrained role. The production is strictly TV level. This is a problematic presentation of a classic. These are solid actors but they are wasted. It's been done much better and there is no need for this.

This television film was first broadcast by ITV1 on Sunday 18th March 2007. It was the first episode of a four part Jane Austen season. Although the television drama was given 2 hours in the ITV schedules, when the time for commercial breaks has been deducted, the film has a total running time of 93 minutes. This is the main problem with this dramatisation. The novel, which in my Penguin Classics edition runs to 457 pages, is simply too long and complex to be covered adequately in such a short period of time. Consequently, a number of very important sequences in the novel, such as the visit to Sotherton, and Fanny's stay at her parents' house in Portsmouth, are omitted from this adaptation. Similarly some of the novel's characters such as Dr and Mrs Grant are conspicuous by their absence. Furthermore, Billie Piper is completely miscast in the role of Fanny Price, a character described in the book as shy and timid. The supporting cast includes reliable actors like Douglas Hodge as Sir Thomas Bertram and Jemma Regrave as Lady Bertram, but their parts are so underwritten that they get little chance to shine. On a positive note, though, this dramatisation does feature some attractive location photography of Newby Hall in North Yorkshire.

As a devoted Austen fan, I find this film highly offensive. I have read many of Jane Austen's novels, Mansfield Park being one of them. I enjoyed the depth and character development. However, these elements were annihilated in this "adaptation"- if it even deserves that title. They allow no time to get to know Fanny, and her struggles and feelings. Edmund is not given HALF his moral credit, and his feelings for Miss Crawford are prematurely introduced. On another note, Lady Bertram is far too shrewd. There is never a relationship between her and Fanny, as is portrayed in the book.

Overall, I was greatly disappointed. I realize that not every detail can be incorporated, but I expect key plot points and character aspects to be involved. Do not waste your time on this film, unless you enjoy low quality period dramas.

I hope in the future, that a more worthy production of Mansfield may be created for the enjoyment of TRUE Janeites.