Persuasion [VHS]
starring: Amanda Root, Ciarán Hinds, Susan Fleetwood, Corin Redgrave, Fiona Shaw
directed by: Roger Michell
directed by: Roger Michell
![Persuasion [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q908A5Y4L._SL160_.jpg)
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Movie adaptations of Jane Austen's classic novels were all the rage (relatively speaking) in the mid-1990s. Clueless updated Austen's Emma, which was more conventionally adapted in another version (Emma) starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Emma was produced yet again, this time for British television, as were a celebrated miniseries of Pride and Prejudice and this splendid film of Austen's Persuasion. Persuasion is the story of a love that survives eight years of dormancy and the frustrating obstacles of class prejudice in 19th century England. Anne (Amanda Root) is captivated when she meets the dignified naval officer Capt. Wentworth (Ciarán Hinds), but she is advised to discourage his romantic overtures because he has no fortune. They meet again eight years later, but now Capt. Wentworth has become wealthy while Anne's father is in reduced circumstances in the wake of reckless extravagance. A series of circumstances ensue which prevent Anne and Wentworth from expressing their mutual and inevitable love. The film's success depends entirely on the subtle, superb performances of Root and Hinds. The film builds slowly, occasionally leaving you wondering if anything at all is going to happen. When it does, you realize how carefully crafted a film this is, and the final result is grandly rewarding. --Jeff Shannon
Movie adaptations of Jane Austen's classic novels were all the rage (relatively speaking) in the mid-1990s. Clueless updated Austen's Emma, which was more conventionally adapted in another version (Emma) starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Emma was produced yet again, this time for British television, as were a celebrated miniseries of Pride and Prejudice and this splendid film of Austen's Persuasion. Persuasion is the story of a love that survives eight years of dormancy and the frustrating obstacles of class prejudice in 19th century England. Anne (Amanda Root) is captivated when she meets the dignified naval officer Capt. Wentworth (Ciarán Hinds), but she is advised to discourage his romantic overtures because he has no fortune. They meet again eight years later, but now Capt. Wentworth has become wealthy while Anne's father is in reduced circumstances in the wake of reckless extravagance. A series of circumstances ensue which prevent Anne and Wentworth from expressing their mutual and inevitable love. The film's success depends entirely on the subtle, superb performances of Root and Hinds. The film builds slowly, occasionally leaving you wondering if anything at all is going to happen. When it does, you realize how carefully crafted a film this is, and the final result is grandly rewarding. --Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- didnt do my favorite book justice
I wasn't impressed. It could have been more romatical.. I guess it could never live up to my imagination
Rating: 
- My favourite Austen film
This British production is of Jane Austen's final book. "Persuasion" was not published until after her death and Austen had written three alternative endings. This screenplay is as close to the book as any Austen production I have seen.
The film has a great feeling of authenticity and is the antithesis of the many Hollywood versions of her books. The characters are played by actors who have none of the glamour expected of film stars but all performances are very genuine. Together the ... Read More
Rating: - Someone To 'Root' For!
Being a Jane Austen novel (this edition brought to the screen courtesy the BBC), you know it's primarily a chick flick, a romance novel with old English spoken, very nicely photographed with nice period sets and scenery and some interesting women to view.
What's different about this is the leading actress: Amanda Root, who plays "Anne Elliot." In America, this is not a lady whom we are familiar with, so she was a new "face" for me, as well. I liked her. I've heard criticism of her looks. ... Read More
Rating: - Persuasion
Though I love Jane Austen, this story isn't my favorite, but it is enjoyable, especially the character of the hypochondriac sister.The only drawback is that the BBC tends to use actors who play bad guys on Jane Tennison as heroes on Jane Austen.
Ciaran Hinds is sufficiently skilled as an actor that I almost forgot the child molester that he played on Prime Suspect, but the actor in Emnma played Mr. Knightly exactly the same way that he played Jane Tennison's unpleasant boss and this has ... Read More
Rating: 
- Persuasion is quiet anticipation
This Jane Austin movie is a quiet film that builds with anticipation as the characters build to a moment when they can finally declare their love against the wishes of others.
- didnt do my favorite book justiceI wasn't impressed. It could have been more romatical.. I guess it could never live up to my imagination
- My favourite Austen filmThis British production is of Jane Austen's final book. "Persuasion" was not published until after her death and Austen had written three alternative endings. This screenplay is as close to the book as any Austen production I have seen.
The film has a great feeling of authenticity and is the antithesis of the many Hollywood versions of her books. The characters are played by actors who have none of the glamour expected of film stars but all performances are very genuine. Together the ... Read More
- Someone To 'Root' For!Being a Jane Austen novel (this edition brought to the screen courtesy the BBC), you know it's primarily a chick flick, a romance novel with old English spoken, very nicely photographed with nice period sets and scenery and some interesting women to view.
What's different about this is the leading actress: Amanda Root, who plays "Anne Elliot." In America, this is not a lady whom we are familiar with, so she was a new "face" for me, as well. I liked her. I've heard criticism of her looks. ... Read More
- PersuasionThough I love Jane Austen, this story isn't my favorite, but it is enjoyable, especially the character of the hypochondriac sister.The only drawback is that the BBC tends to use actors who play bad guys on Jane Tennison as heroes on Jane Austen.
Ciaran Hinds is sufficiently skilled as an actor that I almost forgot the child molester that he played on Prime Suspect, but the actor in Emnma played Mr. Knightly exactly the same way that he played Jane Tennison's unpleasant boss and this has ... Read More
- Persuasion is quiet anticipationThis Jane Austin movie is a quiet film that builds with anticipation as the characters build to a moment when they can finally declare their love against the wishes of others.
