What fun , Maggie you’ve inspired me to do the same . Favourite Emma is with Romola Garai in the tv adaptation from about 15 years ago . The definitive P and P is of course the bbc version with Colin Firth and Jennifer .Ehles . I’m not sure the perfect Persuasion has been made yet but the Amanda Root and Ciarran Hind version was pretty good . Of course every new adaptation brings so much delight and joy, we are blessed to have Jane Austen in our lives.
That's my favourite too, I think Johnny Lee Miller is just perfect as is Romola Garai. Yes the BBC P and P too. Haven't seen Persuasion with Ciaran Hind but I'm going to find it.
Where to begin?! My favourite Austen adaptation is the 1995 version of Persuasion. I'm sure that Nick Dear, who wrote the screen play, had actually bothered to read and appreciate the book. The only reason I know his name is because I nerdishly looked it up. So many nuanced details (the faintly grubby fingertips on Anne's gloves when Captain Wentworth finally takes her hand near the end); perfect casting (Corin Redgrave as Sir Walter, Amanda Root as Anne (not in the 'bloom' of youth), Fiona Shaw as Mrs Croft); dialogue that is true to the book.
My least favourite adaptation is probably the 2022 version of Persuasion. It was a bit silly. Though I suppose I could forgive Dakota Johnson's Anne for turning into a dipso. The only saving grace was Richard E. Grant as Sir Walter. Superb, only matched by Bill Nighy as Mr Woodhouse.
The 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility is on the money, too. Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon. Perfect.
There are versions of Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey lurking around, too. They are my least favourite Austens. Fanny annoyed me in MP - she was a bit wet. Maybe I should re-read it.
The other adaptation I keep meaning to watch is Sanditon.
I've seen Bride and Prejudice, which I'd completely forgotten until you mentioned it. Enjoyable froth and bubble, but yes, Aishwarya Rai as Lizzy was a bit of a stretch.
Thanks for creating this little JA Appreciation community, Maggie. XX
My all-time favourite is the 1995 Amanda Root & Ciaran Hinds Persuasion. But I do love all the others mentioned so far in the comments. I did not expect to like Johnny Flynn as Mr Knightley in the 2020 Emma, but oh, oh, I did.
Also: what a fun project! I think there are rather a lot of adaptations out there. The Olivier P&P is hugely entertaining (esp f you’re not too fussed about faithfulness to the book or historical accuracy of any kind.)
What fun , Maggie you’ve inspired me to do the same . Favourite Emma is with Romola Garai in the tv adaptation from about 15 years ago . The definitive P and P is of course the bbc version with Colin Firth and Jennifer .Ehles . I’m not sure the perfect Persuasion has been made yet but the Amanda Root and Ciarran Hind version was pretty good . Of course every new adaptation brings so much delight and joy, we are blessed to have Jane Austen in our lives.
It's interesting how many different Emmas are mentioned - but it's pretty much always this P&P...
That's my favourite too, I think Johnny Lee Miller is just perfect as is Romola Garai. Yes the BBC P and P too. Haven't seen Persuasion with Ciaran Hind but I'm going to find it.
Where to begin?! My favourite Austen adaptation is the 1995 version of Persuasion. I'm sure that Nick Dear, who wrote the screen play, had actually bothered to read and appreciate the book. The only reason I know his name is because I nerdishly looked it up. So many nuanced details (the faintly grubby fingertips on Anne's gloves when Captain Wentworth finally takes her hand near the end); perfect casting (Corin Redgrave as Sir Walter, Amanda Root as Anne (not in the 'bloom' of youth), Fiona Shaw as Mrs Croft); dialogue that is true to the book.
My least favourite adaptation is probably the 2022 version of Persuasion. It was a bit silly. Though I suppose I could forgive Dakota Johnson's Anne for turning into a dipso. The only saving grace was Richard E. Grant as Sir Walter. Superb, only matched by Bill Nighy as Mr Woodhouse.
The 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility is on the money, too. Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon. Perfect.
There are versions of Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey lurking around, too. They are my least favourite Austens. Fanny annoyed me in MP - she was a bit wet. Maybe I should re-read it.
The other adaptation I keep meaning to watch is Sanditon.
I've seen Bride and Prejudice, which I'd completely forgotten until you mentioned it. Enjoyable froth and bubble, but yes, Aishwarya Rai as Lizzy was a bit of a stretch.
Thanks for creating this little JA Appreciation community, Maggie. XX
My all-time favourite is the 1995 Amanda Root & Ciaran Hinds Persuasion. But I do love all the others mentioned so far in the comments. I did not expect to like Johnny Flynn as Mr Knightley in the 2020 Emma, but oh, oh, I did.
This is all so helpful, haven't seen that one. x
Also: what a fun project! I think there are rather a lot of adaptations out there. The Olivier P&P is hugely entertaining (esp f you’re not too fussed about faithfulness to the book or historical accuracy of any kind.)
I think she is my favourite Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Your description of the book was wonderful. The book is in our library and I'm no 2 on the list so should get it in 6 weeks.
Yay! Please let me know what you think x