Sense & Sensibility (with Miss Austen Regrets) (BBC TV 2008)
starring: Hattie Morahan, Charity Wakefield, Dan Stevens, Janet McTeer, Mark Williams
directed by: John Alexander
directed by: John Alexander
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Product Description:
Movie DVD
Amazon.com:
Lush, dramatic, and beautifully acted, the BBC's three-part miniseries Sense & Sensibility captures the languid urgency that resonates throughout the Jane Austen novel on which it is based. The miniseries begins with a seduction scene: As a young girl cautiously gives herself to a man, she asks, "But when will you come back?" He answers ominously, "Soon... very soon," and gallops off into the night. We know what she does not--that he will not return for her. But viewers do not learn until the end who the couple are, and how their actions set off a chain of events. It is inevitable that this period piece will be compared to the 1995 big screen adaptation that starred Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant, and won Thompson an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. To its credit, this later version stands up incredibly well, with actors whose looks match Austen's written description. And due to a longer running time than the film version, there is more attention paid to detail and minor characters. Sense & Sensibility focuses on the longings of the Dashwood sisters Elinor (Hattie Morahan) and Marianne (Charity Wakefield). After their wealthy father dies, leaving his entire estate to their milquetoast half brother John (Mark Gatiss), Elinor, Marianne, their younger sister Margaret (Lucy Boynton), and their mother are left penniless. John and his shrew-like wife Fanny move into the manor, making the Dashwoods feel like unwanted guests. It is only after Fanny's handsome and kind brother Edward Ferrars (Dan Stevens) arrives for a visit that Elinor feels happy again. Marianne, too, has attracted the attention of two suitors: serious and shy Colonel Brandon (David Morrissey) and dashing Willoughby (Dominic Cooper). Learning that the 35-year-old colonel is interested in her, a stunned Marianne says, "You do realize that it will be impossible for me to speak to him again." Her actions are that of a little girl, running away and hiding when he comes to call on her. But her feelings for Willoughby are real: the kind of love a girl feels for the first time. The differences in the sisters' choices, actions, and secrets set the tone for an era when a perceived impropriety could ruin a woman's reputation and her family's standing in a community. Filmed in England with good use of aerial shots, the production has a sweeping feel that adds a distinct flavor to the drama. As with many Austen novels, the heroines in Sense & Sensibility go through many misunderstandings before their happily-ever-after ending. But that ending leaves viewers satisfied that things turned out just the way that they should.
Austen fans will be delighted with the second disc in this set: Miss Austen Regrets is a perfect companion to the miniseries, starring Olivia Williams stars as the author, and Greta Scacchi--who could easily pass as Williams' real-life sibling--as Austen's sister Cassandra. The film takes a bittersweet look at Austen's life and hints at what could have been had she married one of her suitors. Smart and headstrong, Austen refuses to cave into society's notions of what a proper woman should do. While her famous heroines all paired up with dashing gentlemen, Austen found that the loves of her life were her written creations. --Jae-Ha Kim
Movie DVD
Amazon.com:
Lush, dramatic, and beautifully acted, the BBC's three-part miniseries Sense & Sensibility captures the languid urgency that resonates throughout the Jane Austen novel on which it is based. The miniseries begins with a seduction scene: As a young girl cautiously gives herself to a man, she asks, "But when will you come back?" He answers ominously, "Soon... very soon," and gallops off into the night. We know what she does not--that he will not return for her. But viewers do not learn until the end who the couple are, and how their actions set off a chain of events. It is inevitable that this period piece will be compared to the 1995 big screen adaptation that starred Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant, and won Thompson an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. To its credit, this later version stands up incredibly well, with actors whose looks match Austen's written description. And due to a longer running time than the film version, there is more attention paid to detail and minor characters. Sense & Sensibility focuses on the longings of the Dashwood sisters Elinor (Hattie Morahan) and Marianne (Charity Wakefield). After their wealthy father dies, leaving his entire estate to their milquetoast half brother John (Mark Gatiss), Elinor, Marianne, their younger sister Margaret (Lucy Boynton), and their mother are left penniless. John and his shrew-like wife Fanny move into the manor, making the Dashwoods feel like unwanted guests. It is only after Fanny's handsome and kind brother Edward Ferrars (Dan Stevens) arrives for a visit that Elinor feels happy again. Marianne, too, has attracted the attention of two suitors: serious and shy Colonel Brandon (David Morrissey) and dashing Willoughby (Dominic Cooper). Learning that the 35-year-old colonel is interested in her, a stunned Marianne says, "You do realize that it will be impossible for me to speak to him again." Her actions are that of a little girl, running away and hiding when he comes to call on her. But her feelings for Willoughby are real: the kind of love a girl feels for the first time. The differences in the sisters' choices, actions, and secrets set the tone for an era when a perceived impropriety could ruin a woman's reputation and her family's standing in a community. Filmed in England with good use of aerial shots, the production has a sweeping feel that adds a distinct flavor to the drama. As with many Austen novels, the heroines in Sense & Sensibility go through many misunderstandings before their happily-ever-after ending. But that ending leaves viewers satisfied that things turned out just the way that they should.
Austen fans will be delighted with the second disc in this set: Miss Austen Regrets is a perfect companion to the miniseries, starring Olivia Williams stars as the author, and Greta Scacchi--who could easily pass as Williams' real-life sibling--as Austen's sister Cassandra. The film takes a bittersweet look at Austen's life and hints at what could have been had she married one of her suitors. Smart and headstrong, Austen refuses to cave into society's notions of what a proper woman should do. While her famous heroines all paired up with dashing gentlemen, Austen found that the loves of her life were her written creations. --Jae-Ha Kim
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- A very good Jane Austen
I am a fan of the BBC Pride and Prejudice DVD. I had never seen Sense & Sensibility before. For me, this one is as good as pride and prejudice so I hardly recommend it!!
Rating: - I love this movie. (or is that greatly esteem?).
OK,
Now look I am a guy. I don't own a "Man Purse", am not sure what Quiche is. But I love this movie. (or is that greatly esteem?).
Now for you other men out there, be forewarned, this movie contains no violence involving weapons or explosions.But it does involve great battles of pride, propriety, and passion.
This story, from Jane Austen, talks more to the human condition between men and women than anything you could find in the world of uncensored publications. ... Read More
Rating: - decisions decisions!!
I absolutely adored this adaptation.The acting was great, the soundtrack, amazing.I love Jane Austen adaptations (well, I love Jane Austen in general), and I am honestly having trouble deciding if I like this BBC or the Ang Lee/Emma Thompson version better.They are different, and excellent films.
If you are likeme, and really found this most recent BBC Persuasion leaving a bad taste in your mouth, fear not!!This adaptation is far above and beyond Persuasion.And I love the book, so ... Read More
Rating: - Breanna M.
This version of the Austen classic was fantastic, far better than the version with the more well known actors. True to the story line and portrayed by outstanding artists.
Rating: 
- Lacks the emotion, wit, and warmth of the 1995 version
I went into this version of S&S with an open mind, realizing that it would not be the same as the 1995 film, and wanting to enjoy it on it's own merits.
Unfortunately, I was not impressed. Hattie Morahan may have been closer in age to Elinor Dashwood than Emma Thompson.But her performance felt flat and one dimensional. Emma Thompson managed to convey so much of Elinor's emotional struggle and internal pain, while making us understand how women were required to act (or refrain from acting) in ... Read More
- A very good Jane AustenI am a fan of the BBC Pride and Prejudice DVD. I had never seen Sense & Sensibility before. For me, this one is as good as pride and prejudice so I hardly recommend it!!
- I love this movie. (or is that greatly esteem?).OK,
Now look I am a guy. I don't own a "Man Purse", am not sure what Quiche is. But I love this movie. (or is that greatly esteem?).
Now for you other men out there, be forewarned, this movie contains no violence involving weapons or explosions.But it does involve great battles of pride, propriety, and passion.
This story, from Jane Austen, talks more to the human condition between men and women than anything you could find in the world of uncensored publications. ... Read More
- decisions decisions!!I absolutely adored this adaptation.The acting was great, the soundtrack, amazing.I love Jane Austen adaptations (well, I love Jane Austen in general), and I am honestly having trouble deciding if I like this BBC or the Ang Lee/Emma Thompson version better.They are different, and excellent films.
If you are likeme, and really found this most recent BBC Persuasion leaving a bad taste in your mouth, fear not!!This adaptation is far above and beyond Persuasion.And I love the book, so ... Read More
- Breanna M.This version of the Austen classic was fantastic, far better than the version with the more well known actors. True to the story line and portrayed by outstanding artists.
- Lacks the emotion, wit, and warmth of the 1995 versionI went into this version of S&S with an open mind, realizing that it would not be the same as the 1995 film, and wanting to enjoy it on it's own merits.
Unfortunately, I was not impressed. Hattie Morahan may have been closer in age to Elinor Dashwood than Emma Thompson.But her performance felt flat and one dimensional. Emma Thompson managed to convey so much of Elinor's emotional struggle and internal pain, while making us understand how women were required to act (or refrain from acting) in ... Read More
