Jane Eyre

... a surprisingly good production, for what it is -- or at least, what it claims to be: a live, one-hour TV production. The variety of camera angles and costumes seems to belie that, and the credits do say that some portions are pre-recorded, so -- whatever: let's just take it for what it is.

Being only 52 minutes, we're not getting the full novel, which is just as well. And we certainly aren't getting any location shots. What we do get is some fairly good casting, played out over some fairly decent (if stagey) sets. Camera cuts are sensible and effective, music cues likewise, and it's well-organized for the commercial breaks. Support roles are just enough, and even likeable; Leslye Hunter seems promising as Adele. Sally Ann Howes strikes a good balance of the youthfulness and intelligence which characterize Jane in the novel, and has several voice-overs to give us more of the novel's mood. What really makes it move, though, is Zachary Scott's forceful Rochester, which doesn't seem to owe anything to anyone else's interpretation. All of these have their stronger and weaker moments, but all feel worthwhile. A good take on the adult part of this often-filmed story.