Jane Austen wrote six great novels, all of which have been adapted for film and television many times over. I watched a lot of them growing up, as well as reading all the books, and came to have my own list of favorite adaptations. So here it is!
Jane Austen viewing the rushes. I mean rushlights.
Sense and Sensibility (2007) (BBC)
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Referred to affectionately in my family as "the one with the shells" because of the lovely marine-themed production design at the Dashwood cottage, Andrew Davies's 2007 miniseries adaptation outshines even the more famous Emma Thompson 1995 film version. A much more likable Edward (played by Dan Stevens, who later gained fame as Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey) and a little Margaret who is not just an underwritten "child character" are just some of the features that make this telling (dare I say it?) even better than the novel itself.
Pride and Prejudice
There are just so many film and TV adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, that I couldn't settle on just one. So here are my two favorites: the first for if you feel like spending almost 5 1/2 hours watching, and the second if you're looking for a normal-length feature film... although it's hard to squash this masterpiece into such a small space!
Pride and Prejudice (Restored Edition)
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This series is probably the most faithful film adaptation of the novel, and possibly the most loved. Unfortunately, it's iconic moment turned out to be the "wet shirt scene," where Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) decides to take a swim across the pond and comes out with all his muscles showing--I personally found it ridiculous, but it sent many a lady swooning and probably opened the door to popularize Jane Austen's works in the coming years. Sad, I know. But the series is good.
Pride & Prejudice
The 2005 adaptation starring Keira Knightly was loved by some and hated by others. I found it a bit dizzying at times--whole scenes of the book were sometimes condensed down into one sentence--but overall a satisfying retelling of this magnificent story.
Mansfield Park
The 1999 Patricia Rozema adaptation takes some liberties with the original story, mixing the life of Fanny Price with elements of Jane Austen's own biography. It also explores the issue of the Bertram family fortune being based in their plantations in the Carribean and the social issues that lie behind that--something the novel does not do. Though perhaps not as faithful a retelling as some other attempts, I find this version the most lively and lovable. Fanny is a difficult creature to portray onscreen, because her heart of fire is hidden within a quiet demeanor, and so the film portrays her inner life through the letters and stories she sends to her brothers and sisters at home.
Emma
Though critics argued that the British TV film released the same year was better than this Hollywood version, I simply adore it. Emma is probably the lightest and most fun of all of Jane Austen's novels--unlike the others, it doesn't have a serious "bad guy"--and I find this film really captures its convivial spirit. Everything--the actors, costumes, locations, beats--come together perfectly to create a delightful viewing experience.
Northanger Abbey
Northanger Abbey is probably the least adapted of all of Jane Austen's novels, which I think is a shame, because it's really a great little book. On the other hand, I think with this version there's really no need for another, because it was done so well. And yes, that's Carey Mulligan in the background there.
This adaptation starring Sally Hawkins, recently famed for her academy award nominated performance in The Shape of Water, is the loveliest film of one of Austen's loveliest books. I really don't have anything else to say except go watch it!
Go watch all of them!
What do you think about this list? Agree/disagree? What are your favorite Jane Austen film adaptations? I'd love to hear your opinions!
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