Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is my favourite novel of all-time. I do not say this lightly.

I have seen exquisite stage and screen adaptations. I have seen brutally laughable attempts. We won't go there...

The likes of Timothy Dalton and Michael Fassbender were incredible in their own right and their performances are cherished and highly regarded.

But Stephens was made for the part and captures the dramatic depth, the complexity of Rochester and gifts him with a spell-bindingly cheeky humour that is captivating and lovable.

Ruth Wilson is sublime as always. As a young girl reading and learning from Jane's struggles and loneliness, watching Wilson in 2006 amazed me as, for me, she embodies the values, the heart and willpower of Jane at an exceptional level. Her silence is loaded with depth and psychology. Her delivery hasn't been matched.

Wilson and Stephens are a joy to behold - heartfelt and credible as loving, humorous and silently powerful soulmates.

The ensemble supporting them are on par with the leads, complementing their chemistry and helping to bring this Bronte universe to life.

From the direction, production design, soundtrack and locations, this is a wonderful adaptation that must be seen and valued by as many people as possible.

Other adaptations have a rightful place in our understanding of various aspects and interpretations of the dynamics between the characters. The novel is so multi-faceted it is only to be expected that certain details captured in contrasting ways across all adaptations will resonate differently with people.

But to me, this adaptation epitomizes the psychology, the emotional depth, the connection and the humour of this literary couple. It asserts Jane's independent singular mind and heart. I return constantly to it.

It is definitely worth your consideration. And I say this 14 years after its initial release!

I have never read the book, but I did see the 1996 version of the story. That was my favorite until I saw this one. I can't truly express with words how much I loved this particular version. I must say that I don't understand how Toby Stephens could ever play someone who's supposed to be ugly, maybe I don't see so well, but that guy is hunky. That being said, I can't really imagine anyone else playing Edward Rochester in such a way. He was everything. Funny, witty, moody, and romantic. In the 1996 version Edward Rochester scarcely had any personality at all. Toby made me fall with the character. Nobody else can ever do what he did. I loved Ruth as Jane, too. Both Ruth and Toby seem to be able to play Edward and Jane without even speaking. I mean, this could have been a silent film and still worked. I thought that Cosima made a perfect Adele, she was so cute. This has to be the most complete and romantic version ever. Ruth and Toby steamed up my television set.

5 years have passed since I wrote my review, and I can hardly believe it. I have read the book many times now in the past 5 years, and I still believe that my original review holds true. It may not be an exact replica of the book, but both are quite pleasing.

Surely this is the version against which all others must be judged? Outstanding performances by the two leads. Like all good dramas, it wasn't afraid to take its time , and yet there wasn't a wasted minute from start to finish.

This is the first adaptation of Jane Eyre that I have seen and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Ruth Wilson, a relative newcomer to TV, is fantastic in the role of Jane. She captivates the role brilliantly and her facial expressions say it all, she need not ever speak. She is an amazing actress and I hope to see her more in the future.

What can I say about Toby Stephens in the role of Mr Rochester? He was born to play the this part as he captures the brooding, mysteriousness of Mr Rochester perfectly. He is an amazing actor and extremely handsome, he has now replaced Mr Darcy as the love of my life, I didn't think it was possible girls but watch this and you will feel the same.

The chemistry between the two actors is amazing, I don't know what I am going to do with my Sunday nights when it finishes.

...but now I am truly hooked. As I waited patiently for each hour of more Jane, I grew to admire the way the book was handled. Yes, much of Jane's past is missing, but what is there is captivating. Georgie Henley is scarily mature - more than she has a right to be - and her understanding of young Jane's gravity and passion was wonderfully portrayed.

When Ruth Wilson took the scene, I didn't see at first how she was the unearthly Jane I had read. But it became clearer and clearer, and by far she is the most human and understandable Jane yet. Her face speaks volumes as she says nothing. "That face," comments Toby Stephens' Rochester. It is true. Though we see her silent face many times, we have no problem guessing exactly what she is feeling.

At first, I thought Toby was disappointing. I quite liked the sarcasm of William Hurt in the 1996 version, and Mr. Stephens seemed more brash than sarcastic, more flirting than teasing. But it was the chemistry that quite obviously grew between these two characters that has solidified Toby Stephens as Edward Fairfax Rochester for me. For the first time in a movie version, I realized how much the two had become friends first, and then soul mates.

Two other things were handled extraordinarily. The sex and the scary. From dark corridors and floating candles, burning beds, portraits of mad people and blood dripping, Susanna White got her Gothic right. It is almost a ghost story. This suspense keeps the story from being overly lovey-dovey, and shows a real contrast between the white taffeta-covered aristocracy, and the darkly-clad Jane in Rochester's dim study.

As for the X factor, this is not Jane Austen. Women can have conversations with men alone in rooms. Dark-haired, exotic beauties can seduce with a look, cheat with a smile and sin the world round. All of it is not afraid to show up in this version. Rochester and Jane's connection, displayed quite innocently and platonic in some versions, blazes with passion in this. The flashbacks in the final hour of series are some of the steamiest and most emotionally charged parts of this production.

It's heart-warming, passionate, suspenseful, full of beautiful scenery and costuming; all in all, a whole 4 hours of excellent entertainment. Don't miss out.