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I adore the book, Jane Eyre. In fact, my high school senior English thesis was called “Jane on Jane” and was all about Jane Eyre’s character (my name is Jane, as well). I don’t know that I have a favorite movie version of it. I taped the PBS version that aired tonight and have also seen the version with Ciaran Hinds as Mr. Rochester.

Pride and Prejudice is my absolute favorite novel. I will never get bored with it. Even when I finish reading it, I just want to start again immediately. My favorite film version is the 2005 movie starring Matthew McFadyen and Keira Knightley. I went to see it not thinking it would be very good and then felt like I was walking on a cloud when I left the theater. No, it isn’t the same length as the Colin Firth one, but I thought it was excellent, beautiful, and the best one ever. Matthew McFadyen was perfect as Mr. Darcy and Keira Knightley is Elizabeth Bennet. Love it! And the soundtrack is gorgeous.

I think I could have been Jane Eyre or Elizabeth Bennet (Can I have Mr. Darcy?).

I love Pride and Prejudice. Read the book gazillion of times and watched the movie gazillion of times. Which movie version ? Why the BBC one of course. Not with Colin Firth (he sulks more than brood) but the one where the delicious David Rintoul is Mr Darcy. He was the definitive Darcy and Elizabeth Garvie is THE definitive Elizabeth. Best part is, Jane Bennet is absolutely on the spot in this adaptation.

If you are a true Austen fan, you deserve to get yourself this version.

PS To my dearest N-sleazo...gimme back my Pride n Prejudice DVD now !! grrrrr

Oh to find kindred spirits! I had to fight to get the TV last night! You cannot believe the ridicule I get in this football-obsessed house, that I watch (I quote) “Shows where people dress up and nothing happens..” I kid you not. It was a small feat that I got the smallest TV (at least I taped it!)..
18 versions of “Jane Eyre”? Thank God for I say..for every car I have to watch blowing up, or every bar fight scene, there is a Mr. Darcy or a Mr Rochester!
I’m a flag in the wind on this one, I am currently loving the latest P&P, and LOVED last nights J.E...but I will definitely look up the other 17+ versions!! With all the awful stuff on TV now, I say yea! for any of this!!
-I don’t know which one I would like to be, you gotta love the whole Bennet family, those were some characters!

Sorry for the double post..but I was hooked on “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” for a long time...I be Sara Woodruff, all long red hair w/Jeremy Irons as my beau!!

I didn’t even know they were making a new Jane Eyre.  I was lucky enough to catch it while flipping channels while my husband dozed to the football game.  Every now and then he would wake up and say, “Is that Ballykissangel (or however you spell it) again?” (the poor man is still scarred from that show).  I loved the new Jane Eyre.  So far it’s not as scary as the one with Timothy Dalton--which is good, I don’t like scary.  But TD is my favorite Rochester because, well, have you seen TD?

I can’t wait to watch it again without having to flip back and forth to watch football!

Who was I in a former life?  Hmm…I guess I must have been Jane Bennet.  Everyone is always telling me how beautiful and kind I am…cough, cough…

I adore JANE EYRE!  As much as I love the mini-series of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with Colin Firth, when it comes to reading, I much prefer the sweeping melodrama of the Brontes to Jane Austen’s drawing rooms.  There just seems to be so much more at stake.  (See!  I told you I was a drama addict!)

I like the Timothy Dalton version of JANE EYRE.  Was there one made with George C. Scott or am I dreaming?

I love JANE EYRE, but PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is one of my all-time favorites - especially the one with Colin Firth.  I could watch that forever...although I really, really like the 2005 version.

I only watched a small part of JE last night, but a few weeks ago, caught the last hour of a version with William Hurt.  He made a very nice Rochester.  I’ll have to get that version from Netflix, too!

Definitely one with George C. Scott. He’s my fav Rochester—old, craggy, hard, cynical, willing to justify anything to get Jane, and at the same time honorable in his care of his wife. He was such a strong Rochester, I have no idea who played Jane.

But the JE last night ... was I the only one who almost, um, swooned when Rochester wrapped Jane in his robe and they just stood there, looking at each other? I thought that was the most sexually fraught scene I’ve seen in years. Whew. I can’t wait for next week.

mmmm… the Timothy Dalton Jane Eyre.  I don’t think I know how many times I rented that growing up.  I haven’t seen it in years.

(Yes, Teresa, I believe that there was a George C Scott version.  the 1970 one is his.)

As for a former life… I’m really not sure…

I’ve seen a few versions of JE but I get really ticked watching how they treated kids in the beginning (and talked about them throughout) so I had to keep flipping back and forth last night.  It was pretty good and I liked that Jane seemed to have a bit of spunk.

I love P&P.  I have 7 HBO’s and they keep showing it over and over again.  I keep telling myself to stop watching it but I just can’t change the channel.  I love the scene when Lizzie tells off Lady Catherine.  And then the “Bewitched me body and soul” part.  Who doesn’t swoon when he says that?!

In a former life I’m sure I was a housekeeper.  I would have been the one in charge of all the staff making sure that everything ran smoothly and that everyone was taken care of.  It’s just my nature. *g*

This blog is right up my alley! My favorite version of Jane Eyre is the one with William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg made in the 1990’s. He is brooding and heroic and she is just attractive enough to be believeable as his object of lust. But the jury is still out until I see the last half of the Masterpiece Theatre 2007 version next Sunday. I enjoyed it very much last night. It was much more spooky than previous versions! And I must say Toby Stephens as Mr. Rochester is sex-on-a-stick, baby!

A&E’s version of Pride & Prejudice is my absolute favorite. Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle are perfection. In fact, every actor in the miniseries is perfect!

I found the Keira Knightley version a huge disappoinment. It was severely dumbed-down for contemporary audiences. The dialogue was not accurate at all and she herself did not fit the description of Elizabeth Bennet. Plus, what were those bangs?? Not to mention, in order to fit it into 2 hours the screenplay skimmed over important parts in the book. No, no, no!!

I first read JE when I was about 12 and even though I didn’t completely understand what I was reading, I was just swept away and I think it is mostly due to that story that I read so much romance today.

Last night’s first half has, of course, got me anxiously awaiting the rest next week.  I think I prefer Timothy Dalton as Mr. Rochester though.

Between JE and P&P I prefer P&p, especially the one with Colin Firth.  I did like the Keira Knightley version, but felt let down that they left so much of the story out.  It didn’t begin to do justice to the book.

If I had been someone in a former life, I’d like to think that I had enough spunk to be Elizabeth Bennet.

While I love Jane Eyre, with all its twists and turns and the crazy lady upstairs, I’m pretty much a die-hard P&P fan. Ever since I stumbled upon it in 8th grade (it was the only book on the school library shelf that was pink), I’ve been hooked on it since.  I think I have at least 4 copies at home. Obviously, they all have the same content, but their take on the covers are always fun to look at. I have a copy on my nightstand, on the book shelf, in the closet… in the bathroom? Needless to say, I think that might be my favorite book.

Almost every movie version of Pride and Prejudice I’ve come across, I’ve seen.  So far, the best would be a tie between the Colin Firth and Keira Knightly versions (duh), though I agree with Natasha that it was pretty much dumbed down. The worst would have to be this really sad contemporary version in 2003. Don’t even bother.

But one really cute and funny one was the 1940 version. Or should I say adaptation, since it really wasn’t all that true to the book, but with Lawrence Olivier as Darcy and Greer Garson as Elizabeth, it was extremely witty and fun.

You know what, I was probably some sharp-tongued countryside miss in a past life, too.  The kind that probably ended up as a spinster governess and got into all sorts of trouble.

I AM SO WITH YOU, CHRISTINA! 

Jane Eyre is my absolute favorite, even more than P&P.

And my favorite version is still the Orsen Wells/Olivia de Haviland version, though there are major discrepancies with the book.  He’s just so intense, even in that odd, stilted 40’s style of acting.

With out a doubt my all time favorite Romance on Film is Pride and Prejudice, with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Not only are the leads well cast, but so are the secondary characters. Julia Sawalha plays Lydia Bennet to perfection. Julia’s Lydia is a sumptuously naughty little minx who gives me a headache. I can’t help but be thankful that I don’t have a daughter like that. And if I did, She’d be grounded to her room until she turned 21. I own P&P in VHS and in a special edition, digitally remastered, Anamoriphic Widescreen DVD version.

I do believe that I must have been a Heroine from a Barbara Cartland book because I am always “sighing from the depths of my being” , I married a reformed Rake, and I use a lot of “…s”. Oh yeah, as long as I don’t smile, I look Innocently Virginal too… That’s definitely a prerequisite for being a Cartland Girl. Well, That… and actually being a virgin….

I loved George C. Scott!  Anybody remember the version of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with him as the beast and his wife Trish Vandeveer as “Beauty”?

In a former life I was a...peasant, most like.  Or probably a schoolteacher, which is why I running screaming from the room if anyone tells me I should be a schoolteacher.  Yes, I was definitely a schoolteacher.  Maybe I was Laura Ingalls Wilder.  *LOL* I have a school picture where I tried to dress just like her...and I do have a thing for Almanzo Wilder.

Nothing tops Colin as Darcy.  Ever.  That scene where he comes by--and he’s saying it’s possible to live too close to your family--to me it’s so screamingly funny…

Pride & Prejudice is my absolute favorite book.  I read it at least once a year.  Almost any way they do it is fine with me.  I will watch.  I even liked Bride & Prejudice the Bollywood version - that was so much fun with all the bright wonderful colors and singing and dancing.  I must say that I am not a fan of the Laurence Olivier/Greer Garson version.  She was too old to play Elizabeth and the Victorian hoop skirts drive me crazy.

Colin Firth was my favorite Darcy but I would like to transport Elizabeth Garvie from the 1980 version to the 1995 version along with the portrayal of Mrs. Bennet.  In the 1995 version she was portrayed as such a mean spirited shrew when to me she is just silly and kind hearted - and completely practical about the need to get her daughters married.

Jane Eyre another favorite.  I really liked Charlotte Gainsbourg as Jane and Ciaran Hinds as Rochester.

My former life - as much as I like to think that I was Elizabeth Bennet more likely I was Jane Bennet.  Just so long as I wasn’t Mary Bennet or Charlotte Lucas/Collins.

Are you ready for this?
I have never read or seen any version of Jane Eyre. TV just isn’t my thing. I did see Sense and Sensibility at the theatre three times.

Past life? I was a lady in medieval Scotland and a member of the haute ton in the early 19th century.

austenforever,
You are completely right about the David Rintoul version of Pride & Prejudice. Faye Weldon, the satiric English novelist, wrote the screenplay, and it captures Jane’s cheekiness much better than the lush Colin Firth version, which is more romantic, less funny.

I think in a former life I was Elizabeth Bennett. My smart mouth has been getting me in trouble for years, just like Lizzie’s. My code word is “change74” which is marvelous because I first read P&P in 1974, and my life, indeed, changed. (I wonder if I had a Mr. Darcy in my former life, too. hmm)

martha

Jane Eyre was the first book I stayed up late into the night to finish reading (I was about 12).  Loved it then still love it now.  Though its interesting how when you re-read things at different times (ages) in your life, you’re always struck by something different.  (which leads me back to comment on Lisa’s post from the other day - hated that Jo didn’t end up with Laurie when I first read Little Women at a young age but completely think she should end up with her Professor, now).

I have to reread P&P at least once every year.  And the best version is definitely the BBC one with David Rintoul (though Colin is beautiful).

And who was I in a former life? - a 16th century noblewoman, of course (as a student of early modern history, not sure what else I could be ...)

Maura

I adore P&P. I read it at least once cover-to-cover every year, and any time I need a pick-me-up I’ll just open it and read for a while.

There’s a Web site devoted to Austen (Pemberley.com) that is actually what led me (in a circuitous fashion) to this site. Pemberley.com started my online addiction!I’ve seen every version of P&P available except for the 1940 Greer Garson version and a 1938 TV miniseries (and I have a hard time finding info about that one). Hate the Keira Knightley version, but I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, so I’ll just stop there!

Now for my big confession: I’ve never read “Jane Eyre,” and I’ve never seen any mini-series or movie version.
*bows head in shame*
Awful. I know. I’ll pick up a copy when I go to the library this week, I promise!

Second big confession: I can recite the A&E P&P miniseries—beginning to end—from memory. Seriously.
“It’s a fair prospect.”
“Pretty enough, I grant you.”
“It’s nothing to Pemberley, I know. But I must settle somewhere. Have I your approval?”
“You’ll find the society something savage.”
“Country manners? I think they’re charming.”
And so on. 

No former lives for me—I don’t even joke about it since my last boyfriend confessed he was on number 19. Yikes!

It’s okay Wirdald!  No need for shame!  I didn’t read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE until 3 years ago.

I prefer P&P over Jane Eyre, though, I have to admit that that can change with my mood.  lol

Orson Welles as Rochester is the one I remember most.  He’s just so brooding.

As for P&P, the Colin Firth version is closer to the book, but I love the most recent version also.  I know, I know...they cut so much out of it, didn’t do the book justice and etc etc etc.  But the way I look at it, by seeing the movie, maybe just maybe it inspired someone to go and read the book! 

I have to admit though, ‘Sense & Sensibility’ with Emma Thompson, Allen Rickman, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant is my all time favorite.  From what I’ve heard too, they are making some more of Jane Austen’s books into movies/series. 

As for a former life--I think I must have been a woman in the medieval times because I am fascinated with the history of that era.

--dorothy

Great topic!

P&P and Jane are such totally different stories. I love them both. I confess I did not like the newer movie of P&P. It’s wasn’t as smart.

I’m also a huge Emma fan--any version, including Clueless.

A couple of Christmas’s ago, the DH talked my stepson into giving me the “special edition” of the A&E P&P even though I already have a version. My stepson (a typical 12 year old) tried to explain I already had a copy and why would I want another one? The DH prevailed and the stepson was stunned on Christmas morning when I gushed so much over the special features I nearly cried.

The downside (for them!) was it played in the background all day!!

I’m obsessed with Pride and Prejudice.  I have been for years, I especially love Colin Firth A&E version.  However, the newer version with Kyra Knightly is also fantastic. 

Oh, I was Elizabeth Bennett in a past life, I’m sure of it!

Both!! Why should I have to choose??!!
Didn’t like the newest P&P though, thought it was too “commercialized”.  Didn’t feel as authentic.  But the guy in this newest version of “Jane Eyre” is pretty hot!  I couln’t beleive he’s Maggie Smith’s son (not that she’s an ugly woman!)

Whether you love or “not love” (hate is too strong a word ever to be associated with Pride & Prejudice) the Keira Knightly version of Pride & Prejudice it gets a thumbs up from me simply for the fact that my husband likes it.  I’m sure the fact that Keira Knightly is in it doesn’t hurt, but that is not the main reason.  He LOVES the music and even bought the sheet music. Every so often I’ll hear some lovely piano music coming from the den. The beautiful cinematography is also a reason.  Everytime the scene plays where the sun is rising between Elizabeth and Darcy’s touching foreheads he makes some comment about how lovely it looks.

Christina wasn’t the only one to watch “She TV”, but my household was probably the only other one.  We still talk about some of the skits—the cocktail party with the older Barbies with the drinking problem (because they didn’t have elbow joints like the later ones), the way they made fun of Fabio ("that one can’t be a man; he’s too pretty"), the can’t-believe-they’re-doing-that-on-prime-time skit about the push-up bra, and many more.  Sigh.  That’s one TV show I’d buy the DVD for, even if it only ran for four episodes.  Two more episodes were made but never shown.

As for JE and P&P, love them both but in very different ways.  In the scene last night when Rochester asks Jane if she thinks him handsome, I’d just spent the past minute wiping drool off my face thinking how gorgeous Toby Stephens is, even in tight close-up.  He does look a bit like his mother, but in a very masculine way.  Now when I read a description in a romance novel about a hero with a beautiful nose or mouth, I have a point of reference.

I first saw Toby Stephens in a 1996 movie version of ‘Twelfth Night:Or What You Will’.  Thought he was good looking then.  I, too, was surprised that he was Maggie Smith’s son.  She is just superb in just about everything she does, love her!! 

--dorothy

brownone said..."But the guy in this newest version of “Jane Eyre” is pretty hot!  I couln’t beleive he’s Maggie Smith’s son”

REALLY?!? Well, God knows he can act, and he’s not pretty at all. I really just want him to wrap me in his robe and ... I’m ordering the video off PBS.org. 

Susan/DC, you’re the first person I’ve ever run into that knew anything about it! And remember the skit with the ladies watching the kids’ b’day party, and they hired two Power Rangers, and one of them was hot and had quite the package? Not that we ever saw that—all it was was the women staring at him and making suggestions to the kids like, “Have the Green Ranger use the hoola-hoop” and then making circles with their heads

Yeah, I would so buy a DVD of that show.

I watched Jane Eyre last night and can’t wait for next week.  The robe scene was SMOKIN’ and I loved the scene where Rochester was teasing her about her wages.  “Give me back 9 pounds, I’m in need of it!” and she holds back her grin.  I don’t think it was in the book, but it was a lovely way to show their feelings for each other.

I didn’t see it! I was watching IRON CHEF. They did things with beets. Sigh

I’m pretty sure that scene was in the book, Jill ... and I’m trying very hard not to go check. I have a book to finish, ya know.

THEY DID THINGS WITH BEETS??? Connie, is that a euphemism?

Will I be shot if I admit that I’ve never read Jane Eyre (unless you count the abridged version when I was 11) or seen a film adaption However, I have read P&P and agree with Lady Jane that my favorite film version is the 2005 movie starring Matthew McFadyen and Keira Knightley! While I really enjoyed the BBC version at the time, Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy was too proud - I just couldn’t believe the unbending. Matthew McFadyen’s Mr Darcy, however, made more sense...it was that vunerable quality

Julie - Barbara Cartland’s books were the first romances I ever read - aged 17. I used to shelve books at a library and I’d always bring a few back with me. My mother keept telling me I wasn’t meant to giggle while reading them I could never have been a BC heroine though - I have brown hair and brown eyes, and to this day I have yet to find a heroine in one of her books with either! Honestly, if I didn’t ride with Gengius Khan in a past life then I must have lived in medieval times - I just love medieval romances!

orannia

PS My verification word is ‘stop32’. Stop typing perhaps

I just realized that our new Mr. Rochester, Toby Stephens, played Jay Gatsby in the 2000 version of The Great Gatsby. And while this version wasn’t great, (an Italian Mira Sorvino playing the quintessential WASP Daisy Buchanan was an outrage to me) Toby Stephens was debonaire and just dark enough to make his Jay Gatsby believable.

AnneriAilin, you said something about some of Jane Austen’s other books being made into movies--she only wrote 6 books, all of which have been made into movies.  If you haven’t already seen it you might want to read or rent Persuasion.  This was Jane’s last book and the thinnest, but the most complex of her works.  She had learned the craft of writing so well by then that she could say as much in a sentence that took at least a whole page in a couple of her earlier books.  I have to say that as much as I love P & P, I think Persuasion is her most romantic story.

Yes...I do think he’s hot.  (Didn’t we blog about the unexpected cutie before?) I think it’s the character he’s playing and I can’t remember seeing him in anything else.  I guess I have to keep an eye out for him. 

BTW...I think “House” is hot too!  Must be the British accent. (Love Actually anyone?)

Okay, I didn’t see the question about former lives.  You all do realize I’m Buddhist, don’t you?  (sorry Wirdald, but from our POV, you boyfriend is on a hell of a lot more than number 19)

I’m sure I was English for many of them.  I mean, my manners scream American, but I *know* things about parts of England I have no business knowing, not with the limited travel I’ve done there. 

And I feel I’ve been female for the last couple a ones--some unfinished mothering to accomplish.

Ones unexplained phobias are sometimes a clue...as well as recurrent dreams, or dreams that have had a huge impact.

Freaking yet, Wirdald? 

J--restraining herself--GREATLY--from going on and on about this.

And I thought Toby Stevens was yumalicious.

Billie--

Ok, maybe I should have said that they are making updated versions of movies of Jane Austen’s books.  So sorry!

--dorothy

I’ve never read or seen Jane Eyre yet, but as far as I’m concerned Mr. Darcy = Colin Firth. LOL And I wouldn’t mind talking about him all the time!

Lois

Dorothy, I’m sorry if I sounded a little preachy there.  I didn’t mean any offense.  A couple of the movies really need to be updated, especially Northanger Abby and Mansfield Park.

I love both of the Pride & Prejudice movies.  I watch the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle one when I have all day and when I want a quicker fix I watch the Matthew Macfadden/Keira Knightley one.  I have the soundtrack to the latter one and I love it.  It is perfect music for reading a book to. 
I am so mad I missed the first half because (a) I didn’t have time to watch it and (b) I don’t have a VHS player or tivo to record it.  I’m sure the library will have it eventually.  I swear they have a whole giant collection of Masterpiece Theater movies.

As for my past life, I have 2.  One lives in medievel Scotland in a castle.  Wait no, I like modern conviences too much.  That first one lasts until I have to work to take a bath and figure out that there is no movie theater in medievel Scotland. 
As for my second life, I would have been living in New York City at the turn of the century.  I would have a lovely townhouse and a wonderfully handsome friend that later becomes my husband.  This second one is more me.  If anyone has ever read any of the Molly Murphy Mysteries by Rhys Bowen, then you can imagine me as Miss Molly Murphy.

My favorite Pride and Prejudice is the A&E one. I have the DVD and I can forever amuse myself with wet Colin Firth.

I highly suspect I was Elinor Dashwood. Oh how I love Sense and Sensibility

Oh and if you are looking for good books to read, I have read “PS I Love You” and “If You Could See Me Now” both by Cecelia Ahern.  They are wonderful!!!  They are beautiful love stories but you do need tissues nearby.  I wasn’t crying so much out of sadness but by how sweet it all is.  I definetly recommend these two.  I have her other one “Love Rosie” but I haven’t read it yet.  She is another author I added to my “must-always-buy” list.

Okay, I’m on my way out the door but HAD to post today.  Jane Eyre is one of my all time favorites.  I just bought the Timothy Dalton version on DVD for myself for Xmas and am plotting a time (sans husband and kids) that I can indulge.

Jane Eyre is the first romance I ever read!  It is what led me to all the books I’ve read since.  I’ve seen several versions of the book and MISSED LAST NIGHTS! @#$!  I can’t believe it.  I was watching the Colts advance to the SuperBowl

I’ll catch the conclusion next week and then find the DVD somewhere!

I do also love P&P w/Colin Firth.  I own that DVD also - Xmas present from DH!!!! Anniv.

I am also an Jane Eyre addict. My favorite version has William Hurt and Anna Paquin. I am also a Pride and Prejudice addict. I read both books as a young teen. Colin Firth was Mr. Darcy. I recently had my haircut by a very young woman...Pride and Prejudice is her favorite movie. She also loved Colin Firth.

Did anyone see Colin Firth in Valmont? It was the best portrayal of a selfish rake ever.

Flipping channels, I happened to catch this. 

I’m lovin’ it.

Of course, I never did finish the book. 

But now that the movie’s gettin’ good and I have to wait another week for the finale, I just might.

Anyway, it was a fun surprise to see a whole discussion about it.  Thanks for posting this.

d

I love the newest version of P&P which I only just watched this past new year’s eve.  It was my daughters (a gift to her) and she encouraged me to watch it.  I’m in love, what can I say? 

I had a psychic once tell me I was a nun in my former life.  I am Catholic but cannot picture myself a nun.  I have too much passion inside me. I would love to have been Elizabeth Bennett.

Oh, and I watched the ILLUSIONIST this past weekend.  It takes place in the 1800’s.  I loved it.

Pride and Prejudice was the first book in english that I read, because I just could not wait six weeks to find out the end. (they sent the bbc series on national telly) It was hard, it was engrossing, and I missed out on so much. ex: I was happily reading waiting for the renewed proposal and suddenly darcy was talking of how content he was.. I had missed out on the proposal compleatly and had to rewind some pages..

as for character I identify with, I have always had a soft spot for poor Mary, who is in the middle, and taking herself so seriously..

Jane Eyre..I have the version with hurst as rochester and I like it alot, better than the book..

Christina,

Jane Eyre is my favorite book! I was so delighted to see that Masterpiece Theatre was presenting a new version of the story and that it’s more than a 90-minute condensed version of it.

That said, my favorite version of Jane Eyre in movie format is the horribly condensed and convoluted (for those who’ve read the book) Charlotte Gainsbourg/William Hurt version. I totally get Charlotte Gainsbourg as Jane. It makes total sense. Plus, Hurt’s not too bad as Rochester, either.

And much as I love Timothy Dalton and the layout of the BBC version of Jane Eyre, I could not stand Zelah Clarke in the role as Jane. *shudder* It was like watching a teenager hopped up on sugar doing the role of a somewhat repressed governess. It just sucked the fun out of watching Timothy Dalton as Rochester. Please note: I forged on and watched the entire 6 hours, though.

As for P&P, Colin Firth all the way! True, I still love the new version, but the 6-hour BBC version is the best!

LdyB

Definitely the Colin Firth P & P.

(Did my Avatar load?)

I’ll take Timothy Dalton anytime.  Whether he’s Rochester or not. (smile)

Prudence, I agree. The Illusionist was excellent.

According to my college roommate, I spoke French in my sleep when we were in college.  Since I don’t speak French, now or then, I guess I must have been a Frenchwoman in a previous life. 

I’ve also been told I must have been starving in a previous life as I tend to over buy, not to say hoard, food.  An old boyfriend used to say he was heading for my house if they dropped the bomb cause there was enough food there to hold out for months.

Re: former lives
I meant no offense, J Perry Stone! If he (former boyfriend) had meant it seriously and within the context of a real religion, I would’ve accepted it. But his religion was a combination of dreams, the Force (literally, as in, taken from Star Wars) and various comic books and s/f novels that “made sense” to him. (Hm, but now I have to do some soul-searching. Why is it that I wouldn’t consider mocking Buddhism or Wicca, but I have no trouble rolling my eyes at his, well, his faith? Hubris on my part, or my belief that creating his own religion is hubris on his part? I need to think about this!)

And now I’ve gone completely off topic, so to bring it back --

to Phyllis Lamken: Valmont was somewhat depressing! No HEA for Colin Firth? What?! Valmont was a tough character to figure out. I couldn’t tell who, if anybody, he really loved—and I was really surprised at the ending!

And I’m feeling sorry for Kitty Bennett. She’s so completely overlooked! Her personality seems to be the least distinct, so nobody thinks about her. She needs her own HEA (although Austen did have a marriage in mind for her...).

Prudence and CJ—I third that. The Illusionist was excellent. Magic, murder, true love—this movie had it all!

Ooh, Colin Firth all the way. “Allow me to tell you how ardently I admire… and love you.” Or something like that. With his eyes wild and his chest heaving. Can’t get enough! I was pretty disgusted by the Keira Knightley version, especially since I like her in just about everything else. It seemed to me her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennett was entirely rooted in an array of inexplicable impish grins.

Anyone see the Wuthering Heights with Juliet Binoche as Catherine and Ralph Fiennes as Heathcliff? Wow, that was some real simmering, brooding, dark-hunk-of-a-man-with-demons drama. I liked that they kept the true ending in, too, it redeems the characters in a way, to have their children fall in love.

I loved the Kenneth Branagh version of Much Ado About Nothing - that’s the one I know by heart! “Lady Beatrice have you wept all this while?”
“Yea, and I will weep a while longer.”
“I will not desire that.”
I think in my former life I was a lot like Beatrice - my tongue is a bit sharp at times, and I have trouble biting it.

There is a Timothy Dalton version of Jane Eyre?!  I’m getting on Netflix right away!

nanadirat, I did see that Wuthering Heights with Ralph Fiennes.  What a great movie; and I loved the music!  I just saw it the other day at Blockbusters, I might have to go rent it again.

I think this new PB’s version of Jane Eyre is my favorite.  Christina is exactly right; the looks they gave each other last night just made me shiver, and when Jane put the hand he had held up to her lips, oh my goodness I don’t want to wait a whole week to see the end! 

I wish more movies/miniseries were made like PB’s Jane Eyre, and A&E Pride & Prejudice.  Sigh....

linda - I just found out a couple of weeks ago that next fall the BBC is doing some kind of Jane Austen month long thingy with new versions of her books.  Dorothy, maybe that’s what you are referring to.  I read that the director that did P&P (the one with Colin Firth) wants to do a 6 hour Sense & Sensibility!  From what I can remember they want to do updated versions of all her books. 

I second the recommendation for Persuasion.  I also bought that DVD last week and re-watched it the other day.  It is a very good story and I love Ciaran Hinds.

I’m thinking about Netflix also because it’s the only place I can find all the period pieces I want to rent - my list is getting extensive.  It always bothered me that I couldn’t find more films like P&P, Jane Eyre, Sense & Sensibility, etc.  I’m finding lots on Blockbuster Online and Netflix.  They are mostly from BBC productions.

I LOVE my Netflix.  I have been able to get so many movies and such there that I had never seen anyplace else.  My queue has about 50 movies on it at this moment and every time I hear of an interesting new movie I go there, check into it and usually put it on my queue.  At this rate, I’ll never reach the end of my queue. 

IrishEyes--I went to IMDB and checked out what they are doing of Jane Austen’s, but wasn’t aware that it was being done for the BBC.  That is good to know and will try to remember to watch them.  Thank you for the heads up!

--dorothy

Thank you for the tip IrishEyes!  It is going to be hard to wait until next fall.  I would love to see what the BBC does with Sense & Sensibility!  I really liked the movie with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. Even though I liked Hugh Grant in the movie, I would like to see how another guy would play that character.

I was thinking of checking out the website for Harlequin for some period movies.  I remember seeing a TV movie that they did along time ago, and it was really good.

Although I am not as big a fan of Jane Eyre as Pride and Prejudice, I’d have to say that my favorite version of Jane Eyre is the one with Orson Wells.  HOT!  HOT!  HOT!  If I am not mistaken isn’t that also the version with Elizabeth Taylor playing the friend of Jane who dies from consumption? 

My favorite Pride & Prejudice movie is the one with Colin Firth.  I adore Colin Firth!  In fact, I just treated myself to a marathon last week.  Sigh....

In fact, I followed it with Bridget Jones Diary II just so I could see the interview of Colin Firth by Renee Z. playing Bridget.  They alluded to certain scenes in P&P in which Mr. Darcy was, um, straining his inexpressibles...I have not yet reviewed P&P to prove this Disney-esce myth.  Hey, I do have a life you know!

I also like the earlier version starring Sir Lawrence Olivier.  He is also one of my all time favorite actors.

It would seem that I am somewhat of a traditionalist and loyal to older, familiar versions.  LOL, even as a Trekkie I felt I was betraying the original Star Trek by watching Star Trek: Next Generation.

Dang, I forgot to answer who I would be in a former life.  First and foremost, Elizabeth Bennet to Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy.  Other than that, I think I would need to be a governess/chambermaid/companion cum countess in a part of the world that has breathtaking, sweeping vistas. 

So plant me anywhere in Italy, the English countryside, an Irish seaside manor, somewhere in the Greek Isles or turn of the century New York.  I know one would be hard pressed for sweeping vistas in turn of the century New York but I’m employing artistic license here.

FilmPhan - I love the Molly Murphy mysteries!

J - seems we’ll never run out of topics for conversation!

LaDodd - fabulous topic!  I’ll catch Jane Eyre again during fundraising drives.  I was watching the Colts spectacular comeback last night.

Santa - Is that your dog as your avatar?  So adorable!

My favorite version of Jane Eyre is the classic b/w version with Orsen Wells and Joan Fontaine. It’s the version I remember seeing first and there’s something about that period in movie making where they had it down to an fine art form with dramatic acting and amazing cinematography. And the period of the book and dark nature of the story just works in black and white. And I enjoy seeing Margaret O’Brien, one of my favorite child actors and Elizabeth Taylor when they were young.

Wirdald said:

Re: former lives
I meant no offense, J Perry Stone! If he (former boyfriend) had meant it seriously and within the context of a real religion, I would’ve accepted it. But his religion was a combination of dreams, the Force (literally, as in, taken from Star Wars) and various comic books and s/f novels that “made sense” to him.

I swear to you, sweetheart, I took no offense.  I was just messing with you.  That said, i actually do believe in reincarnation.  It’s a little weird from the Western perspective, but it works if one gets accustomed to it. 

I also admit it is a little weird about the Force/comic book thing, however, I’ve heard that the “force” was an idea taken from many Eastern religions so, you know, he’s not totally on Mars. 

Although,I once dated a comic bookartist....

The only thing it did for my ex was make him obsessed with huge boobies....and here he was dating me.  ME!

So I guess J Perry that he had a rich and well rounded fantasy life......

Ducking and running

Eeeww Santa! That was a good one. You are by far, much, much worse than I…

Rotten girls!!

I liked the movie “Emma” with Gwyneth Paltrow & Jeremy Northam better than Pride & Predjudice or Jane Eyre

I love this movie!  I only watched a little while of it a few years back when it was on HBO( I was on my way out the door) and have endlessly searched for the version that I saw and now after seeing your pic of the Timothy Dalton one I realized...thats it!!!  I am going to run out after work and buy it before I lose it again!  I bought the one with George C. Scott and I have yet to open it because it wasn’t the one I wanted! 

I just watched the newest version of Pride & Prejudiced while on vacation in December, and I liked it very much.  I think I might have to buy that one while I am looking for Jane Eyre!

I haven’t seen any newer versions of JE in recent years.  I’ll have to get this new one off netflix soon.  Didn’t Timothy Dalton also do a Wuthering Heights?  Seems like it.....I wish I were Lizzy Bennett in a previous life, but I was probably Kitty.

I picked up the Intellectual Devotional after watching its authors appearnce on the Today Show.  In fact, I also gave two as Christmas gifts to reader friends.

The book is great and I enjoy the way it changes subjects each day.  The trivia tidbits are mind opening and some are just fun facts.  A good book to have.

Glad to see it featured today.