Sense and Sensibility (DVD)

I won't repeat what I'm sure many other reviewers have written about the plot of this classic book turned mini series and focus on the actors. I love this mini series over all the other versions of this Jane Austen classic novel. The actors picked for this mini series were brilliant, each were believable and almost exactly what one pictures when reading the novel. The character development of many of the characters (but not all) is much more in-depth in this mini series than other versions I've seen too (esp in comparison with the much loved 1995 version), with one huge exception: Mr. Palmer.I do wish that Hugh Laurie (who played Mr. Palmer in the 1995 Emma Thompson version) was in this mini series. He did a bang up job in the 1995 movie, playing the cynical yet hilarious Mr. Palmer. He added much needing laughter and smirking moments to the movie, and would have been wonderful over the stuffed pigeon that played Mr. Palmer is this mini series. That is it's only real flaw in my opinion. I guess it could be a small nit-pick, but I enjoyed Hugh Laurie's interpretation of Mr. Palmer so much that anything less is just unworthy (and I am not a huge fan of Hugh Laurie in general, I just think he did wonderfully in this). The man who played Mr. Palmer in the mini series was just yawn inducing. You might as well have had a cardboard cut out standing in for him for all the acting and emoting he did. I also liked the lady who played Mrs. Palmer (Charlotte) in the 1995 version as well. She added a bit of ditzy bubbly fun to the movie that was lacking in this mini series. The actress that played Charlotte in the 1995 version has been in *many* period dramas and always does so well, so no surprise there.I loved Hattie Morahan as Elinor. She perfectly fit into the role of Elinor. I really enjoyed watching her and I believe that she was very committed to her role and executed it brilliantly well. I also found her much more suited to the role than Emma Thompson who, granted, is a brilliant actress but was far too old to play the role of Elinor in the 1995 movie. Hattie Morahan had that same strong command that Emma has, and even that deeper register voice that is totally appropriate for the character of Elinor (anything less would have seemed off), but she fits better than Thompson in the age range. I hate saying that because it makes me sound like an ageist but Thompson did not look like an early twenties Elinor, more like Mrs. Dashwood's younger sister.I loved both Winslet and Wakefield as Marianne but also found them slightly different in style and thus I prefer Wakefield to Winslet here. Charity Wakefield was spirited, ethereal, idealistic and poetic in a much more subtle way than the more dramatic and emotionally overwrought Winslet as Marianne. Both were fantastic but I think it's much to do with the pace and length of the two movies. One being a feature film, the other a mini series that allowed Wakefield the time to build the emotion whereas Winslet had to come out swinging since it was a 'short and sweet' version.Dominic Cooper as Willouhgby in the mini series was much more dark than Greg Wise in the 1995 movie. We get to see more of Willoughby and through many character's eyes not just Marianne's and Col. Brandon's. In the 1995 version you almost feel more sympathetic towards Willoughby's plight, feeling that he just has no choice, than in the mini series where it's clear that he values money over love. In the 1995 movie you feel that Willoughby will always regret his choice, but in the mini series you see much more depth in his feelings, regret yes, but also resolve and a coldness about his actions which are more consistent with his past actions than any life changing realization that the 1995 movie had.Edward (played by Dan Stevens in the mini series) is handsome and plays his part well, but of all the main players he seems to hold back his performance a bit. You don't feel the deep anguish that Edward has in the 1995 movie starring Hugh Grant. Granted, the stuttering, eye batting that Grant does is quite annoying at times, but he has more feeling in just his eyes w/out saying a word than Dan Stevens had in action and words between the two.I also liked Imogen Stubbs over Anna Madeley as Lucy Steele (Imogen in the 1995 movie, Anna in the mini series). Though there is much more story to Lucy and the addition of her annoyingly mouthy sister Ann, I found Anna's Miss Steel a bit more manipulative and squeaky (in voice) than Imogen Stubb's Miss Steel.Both Claire Skinner and Harriet Walter did a fabulous job as Fanny Dashwood, the overbearing sister-in-law of the Dashwood half sisters to her husband John. Claire Skinner played the same manipulative, scheming, greedy, elitist that Harriet Walter did, but she did so in a very soft spoken sublte way. You knew she was being overtly rude but almost forgave her for her gentle voice and sweet smile. Meanwhile in the 1995 version Harriet Walter was much more obvious in her motives in the way in which she presented the character- as a very manipulative, cruel, cold, and condescending woman with a voice that gave an undoubted command, not a subtle request.And now to my favorite characters in both the 1995 version and the mini series here- Colonel Brandon. In the 1995 movie Alan Rickman (of Severus Snape fame) was brilliant as Col. Brandon. His deep rumbling voice was so soothing and so alluring. He was great, but I have to say that David Morrisey's Col. Brandon was heartbreaking to watch as he pined away for Marianne. I absolutely loved the scenes with Morrisey and longed for Marianne to wake up and see him as he was- utterly handsome from head to toe. I really enjoyed the longer courting scenes between Marianne and Col. Brandon after Marianne recovers from her fever. It gave MUCH needed development that the 1995 movie didn't have due to time limits. The slow and steady build of Marianne's feelings for Col. Brandon through those scenes with him and her were heart gripping, something that was completely lacking in the 1995 movie aside from the small yet touching scene with Rickman and Winslet sitting outside as he read poetry to her. There was no jump from Willoughby to Brandon in the mini series, it took time and I like that.I also liked both the Mrs. Dashwoods. The Mrs. Dashwood in the 1995 movie much more emotional than the one in the mini series, but both were steady and well acted.I love this mini series and can watch it over and over again, and have. It's truly a wonderfully adapted version of Jane Austen's classic novel.

In reality, I wanted to give it 4 1/2 stars but that wasn't an option.I was disappointed that this wasn't being released until April in the US but with the wonders of youtube, I was glad to get a chance to watch it now. I have seen every version of any adaption of a Jane Austen book ever made and I think this one will become one of my favorites. I was curious to see if it would live up to the 1995 version by Emma Thompson which I love and I am happy to say that it did and even exceeded my expectations. Spoilers below, so beware!!!What I liked about it:1. Fantastic casting. My favorites were Hattie Morahan as Elinor and Dan Stevens as Edward. As much as I love Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson, I thought Hattie and Dan really nailed these characters in every possible way. Dan especially played Edward a little softer and less stiff then Hugh Grant did, and it made his character more interesting to watch. Jean Marsh as Mrs. Ferras and Claire Skinner as Fanny were as hateful as they should be. The other supporting cast was excellent too, although I did miss Hugh Laurie as Mr. Palmer. He just added so much to that small character.2. The length - finally a filmmaker does the book justice!!! It was nice to see the story in its entirety, not so chopped up. I am practically glad to see the characters of Lady Middleton and Anne Steele included (although a little under used). I was especially glad to see the scence when Willoughby comes to the Palmer's house when Marianne is ill. That is one of my favorite scenes in the book and I was glad it was included. The filmmakers also paced it really well so that I never felt it was moving too slowly or getting too dull.Reason why I would take away ½ a star:1. The opening minute - the way the seduction of Eliza Williams was filmed, I literally thought I had started watching the wrong movie at first and was about 1 second from turning it off and checking the tape when the credits came up. I was pretty disappointed in how that was handled. If they wanted to include it, I think it could have been a little more tastefully done.2. Some of the casting - I am still not sure about David Morrissey as Colonel Brandon. It took me a while to warm up to him in that role. It also took me a long time to warm up to Charity Wakefield as Marianne, but I am pretty sure that is because Kate Winslet will always be the perfect Marianne in my head. Dominic Cooper as Willoughby was okay, but he was almost too likeable. The hardest one for me, as a Harry Potter fan, was Mark Williams as Sir John Middleton. I kept trying to figure out what Mr. Wesley was doing in a Jane Austen movie.3. The way that some of the characters/scenes played - Mrs. Dashwood just seemed a little off to me, I am not sure why. I thought Lucy Steele was almost too likeable. There were actual times that I felt sorry for her and I don't when I read the book. I wasn't a big fan of the dueling scene between Colonel Brandon and Willoughby. While it fit the character and honor of Colonel Brandon, I really think the character of Willoughby wouldn't have had the guts to fight. I also wish a little more had been added to the scene where Willoughby comes to the Palmers. It felt like it got cut short without really getting a sense that Willoughby did really love Marianne and wanted to marry her and that if he had he wouldn't have lost his inheritance as he thought (which is why he married Ms. Grey and her 50 thousand pounds).Although the reasons why I didn't like it look longer, overall I was really pleased with this adaption of Sense and Sensibility. It just might surpass the new Northanger Abbey to become my favorite of the 4 new movies released by BBC. It is definitely worth checking out and forming your own opinion of.

Wish the DVD wasn't so expensive

By so much the best version.Makes grown men leaky.

Although the more recent film with Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet is well produced and acted (and entertaining), it only really provides the skeleton of the story. This series takes the time to cover the story more comprehensively and, although there are some variations that may grate for the true Janeite, this is a definite must see both for lovers of Jane Austen’s work and for those who enjoyed the more recent version.

Il confronto con l'acclamato film di Ang Lee del 1995 con Emma Thompson viene spontaneo, ma appena inizia la visone di questa versione BBC del 2008, si dimentica presto, nel senso che si percepisce subito che si tratta di due prodotti differenti realizzati a distanza di molti anni, seppur entrambi validissimi. I 3 episodi riproducono fedelmente il romanzo; l'atmosfera del cottage appare più selvaggia e distante dalla civiltà, così com'è rappresentato magicamente vicino al mare, e viene il dubbio che la scena del duello tra Brandon e Willoughby sia una licenza della sceneggiatura. Impeccabili le ricostruzioni degli ambienti e i costumi, così come la splendida colonna sonora di Martin Phipps. Strepitosi tutti gli attori, dalle protagoniste Hattie Morahan e Charity Wakefield a David Morrissey, Dan Stevens, Dominic Cooper e Janet Mc Teer. Imperdibile per chi ama i romanzi e il mondo di Jane Austen. In lingua originale con sottotitoli in inglese. Nessuna lingua italiana.

If you have the least inclination to buy this, do! The DVD consists of three hour-long episodes, which feels just right - the pacing isn't rushed as it would be in a film, but nothing feels superfluous either.Where to start with the good points of this adaptation? I'm sure I'll end up forgetting something, so let me start by saying that, in my opinion, this is the definitive version of Sense and Sensibility. I loved the 1996 film version, and am an avid Austen reader. But this adaptation trumps all, for me - yes, even the book. Note perfect in every way, I know I'll revisit it again and again, and only consider it a shame I waited so long to see it in the first place. With a screenplay by Andrew Davies and a showing on the Beeb, this deserves just as much admiration as their 1995 Pride and Prejudice, and is comparatively unknown. It's a real shame.Alright then, the main selling points :- Script. Wonderful. The characters are all well-drawn and likeable, and all the major relationships (Marianne and Wickham, Marianne and Brandon, Elinor and Edward) are given lots of time to develop. This is where the running time really trumps the film version. No character feels neglected, and even Fanny Dashwood and little Margaret get their fair share of screentime, something which really builds the sense of family.- Casting. Again, excellent. The characters are cast younger than in the film, much closer to their ages in the book, and although I will admit to sorely missing Alan Rickman's Colonel Brandon, the characters are perfect. Marianne in particular perfectly aligns with my mental image of her, and Dan Stevens as Edward Ferrars steers his character away from its occasional tendency to seem weak, and onto firmer ground. He's not foolish, but is bound by honour, and unlike the rakish Willoughby, actually stands firm on it. Willoughby is another excellent choice. Dominic Cooper is effortlessly convincing as both a cad and a seducer, but also does a wonderful job of portraying a man falling in love almost against his will. Jean Marsh (of Upstairs Downstairs fame) is another delight as the domineering Mrs Ferrars. (As much as I admire both actresses, it is so nice to see these roles go to someone other than Dames Maggie Smith or Judi Dench.) Mark Gatiss dons a red wig and puts in a suitably oily performance as John Dashwood, and little Margaret Dashwood is a treasure to watch.- Music. Costumes. Cinematography. All are outstanding.An adaptation is more than just people saying the words, it's putting on a show, and that's done here to beautiful effect. It's a pleasure to immerse yourself in this world for a few hours. Here's hoping the BBC will give Jane's other works a look - it would be lovely to see them get such treatment. (Or even the Bronte sisters. I'd love to see something like Agnes Grey receive such a rendering.)Put simply - it's a classic.