OT: If You Love "Pride and Prejudice" and "Brideshead Revisited" ...

tarzy

You will love CRANFORD!

I just rented this BBC series. Set in a tiny English town in 1841, the acting is great, the costumes and sets are beautiful, and you will fall in love with the characters. I didn't want it to end! Rent it from Netflix!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/master.....index.html

16 years ago

General

31 replies

Latest reply was from bella

Angie

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Fashion Stylist

LOVED both Brideshead and P&P. I'm in.

16 years ago

anne

Veteran

I'd second Tara. It was shown a while back in Australia and it is WONDERFUL.
My English major specialised in nineteenth century literature and Elizabeth Gaskell (whose books the miniseries is based on) featured extremely heavily, possibly because we had a Gaskell expert on the faculty. (so heavily I only studied one novel by Dickens and FOUR by Gaskell!)
So I was really looking forward to this series and it didn't disapoint, despite some deviation from the written work, which was probably necessary. There is a slightly harder edge to it than in P & P, but definitely worth a view.

16 years ago

bella

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I'm a big fan of P&P, the BBC version. ( I love Colin Firth!) I would no doubt like this one but I don't see my hubby going for it!:)

16 years ago

Angie

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Fashion Stylist

Bella, I'm with you on Colin Firth and watching these with Jasmine and Rosie.

16 years ago

Lena

Active Member

Thanks for the rec, Tarzy. I keep hearing good things about this one.

Ladies, it's hard for me to type this, but here it is: there are times when I cheat on Colin Firth's Darcy with Richard Armitage's John Thornton (BBC adaptation of E.Gaskell's "North And South"). His John Thornton character broods with the best of them. And his intensity is incredible. Seriously, it's a very well done miniseries all around. In spite of the fact that the ending took some liberties with historical accuracy (which made it only better for the viewers, imo).

16 years ago

Ana

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Mmm....Colin Firth.

I'll definitely check it out, Tara. Thanks for the recommendation!

16 years ago

Debbie

Active Member

I loved Cranford! and I recently watched the masterpiece theater version of Pollyanna and really liked it. Love her attitude!

Lets keep this period piece list going!

16 years ago

bella

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Lena- Netflix keeps recommending me that series - probably because I have watched various screen adaptations of ALL Jane Austen novels and also some other BBC series. Now that I have heard good things from you, I will definitely watch it. I see that it is available for online viewing as well, so I can watch it on my computer without having to convince hubby to watch it with me!:)

16 years ago

Kari

Veteran

I'm another Austen & Gaskell fan. (Anne, I am so envious that you had a Gaskell expert in your literature program!)

Cranford, North and South, and the latest BBC/Andrew Davies-adapted Sense & Sensibility production are definitely my favorites from the most recent productions, but the 1995 Pride & Prejudice is always going to be #1 for me.

I also loved Wives & Daughters and the 1999 Persuasion film.

Has anyone seen the latest adaptation of Little Dorrit? I caught part of it on the BBC this year but missed parts of the series. It seemed very well done.

I haven't seen Brideshead Revisited yet. Thanks, Tara - I'll add that to my list!

16 years ago

Angie

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Fashion Stylist

Sooooo any one seen the FIRST Brideshead Revisited? The one that came out in 1981 I think? Compared to the one that came out last year – which do you prefer?

1995 P&P was fab. But I loved the more recent one with Kiera Knightly too. The bloke that played Mr. Darcy was so good. He rivals Colin Firth.

16 years ago

sinead

Active Member

Ok, Tara, the next time I have a teen-free night, I am reveling in England circa 1841. I love, love getting recommendations on things to watch, especially yummy period pieces.

16 years ago

anne

Veteran

Angie, I remember my parents avidly watching the first Brideshead Revisted in the 80's - I was too young to be allowed to see it myself. I haven't seen it, or the recent one ( we get to see so few films since we have had kids) though I have read the book. But I do keep up with movie criticism, often watching a weekly movie program, so I know how the critics are rating the 2 versions!

16 years ago

Ele

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Active Member

Another recommendation for Cranford here! I haven't seen every episode (my boyfriend really hates those BBC costumes dramas, so I really have to pick my battles), but have been very impressed with the episodes I have seen. As Tara says, excellent acting, and very funny!

Another BBC production some of you might like is one that aired last year I think, called Lilies. It's about three sisters being raised by their father in working-class Liverpool, set right after WWI. Very good, as well.

As for the new Brideshead Revisited, I have it from LoveFilm right now! (LF is the UK Netflix.) Very excited to watch it this afternoon, once I get some work done. I have not seen the 1981 version, Angie- would you recommend it?

Also loved 1995 P&P, but who didn't? Have watched it more times than I care to admit! The more recent movie version I have mixed feelings on- wonderful set direction (they really captured the feeling of living on a working farm during that time) and I liked that the daughters were actually of the age they were in the book, but honestly, I found Kiera Knightly to be a thoroughly unbelievable Elizabeth.

16 years ago

Michelle

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Thanks for the recommendation! I really need to step up my Gaskell knowledge, the only work of hers I know is Mary Barton and to be honest it wasn't my favourite. But I am an Austen devotee and adore 19th century fiction.
OOOH, there's an Andrew Davies Sense and Sensibility? How does it compare to the Emma Thompson one from the mid 90's?
More unbridled adoration for the 95 P&P, even though I'm deprived of the full benefits of the lake scene. Jennifer Ehle was beyond perfect, as were both Bennett parents in my view. Love the adaptation of Persuasion, too. I never thought Anne Elliott's character would lend itself so well to a screen presentation, but how wrong I was!
Am I the only one who has been kind of underwhelmed by all attempts at adapting Emma so far?

16 years ago

Ele

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Active Member

Michelle- you might be happy to hear that the BBC is currently filming a new Emma adaptation, to be aired in the fall. It will star Romola Garai (who was in Atonement) as Emma, Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley, and Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse.

It's strange. P&P is my favourite book, but I think the story of Emma is probably the best Jane Austen ever wrote. As for the adaptations, I admit I adored the 1996 movie version. Gwyneth Paltrow had all those Emma-isms spot-on, in my opinion. I also think Juliet Stevenson was hilarious as Mrs. Elton. I didn't much care for Kate Beckinsale's interpretation in the A&E version, however. Here's hoping the new one will be great!

16 years ago

Michelle

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Dumbledore as Mr. Woodhouse, eh? Hmmm, not sure about that, but the other two casting choices sound promising! Johnny Lee Miller likes playing Austen leading men, I guess (I think he took on edmund Bertram in Mansfield Park)?
And I have to agree, Gwyneth Paltrow was a fantastic Emma even if I didn't loe some other aspects of the production she was in! That story really is masterfully written. I saw a great piece once encouraging readers to view it as a prototype for a detective novel, and it does work.

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Cranford was good.

If you love P&P *and* zombies, then you must read:

http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Pr.....1594743347

16 years ago

Vani

Veteran

Did some one say Colin Firth? Yummy!

I LOVE period romances and with the majority here I like the earlier adaptations overall. I have so much catching up to do after reading this thread! I asked DH this morning to get me Cranford. He didn't flinch after I told him what is about so there is hope that we will watch it together.

Am I the only one wishing for more adaptations of the Wodehouse books?

16 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Michelle, I absolutely adore Emma Thompson's Sense & Sensibility. However... gosh, it's a tossup. The latest BBC version was *really* well done, and the primary cast was fantastic. In a way I feel like it's more faithful to the book too, but that's not to knock Emma's script either.

Shiny, I'm actually reading P&P & Zombies as we speak!

Niva, my dad enjoyed both Cranford and North & South, so I don't think they are exclusively chick-flicky. Hope that your husband likes them!

16 years ago

Ana

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I haven't seen either Brideshead Revisited movies. I'll try to rent them this summer.

I really liked the recent P&P with Keira Knightly. The actor who played Mr. Darcy in that was wonderful (and really cute). Just the right amount of haughtiness and brooding. And the scene in the gazebo when it's raining....sigh....

16 years ago

Patience

Veteran

I'm there too. It's a pregnancy tradition for me to reread P&P and watch the Keira Knightly movie. Mr. Darcy in that movie is my one and only movie boyfriend. I will be loyal forever. But I haven't seen any of the BBC series so I'll have to rent those. Yay! I've been wondering what I can watch when my husband works late.

16 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

Whenever my husband needs a good nap, I rent a "chic flic." He's asleep before the opening credits.

However - he actually watched all the Cranford episodes with me, and enjoyed them. Even though the stories are basically told through the eyes of the women of the town, the events they deal with are so human and compelling that you can't help but be drawn into them. And the dialogue is so modern at times, it was amazing to learn that it was all taken right from the book. Author Gaskell was a wonderful reporter of human nature.

Being 100 years old, I remember the first BRIDESHEAD REVISITED. Having just watched the new one, I enjoyed them both, although they are quite different. The new one is shorter, so it feels a bit condensed and almost skimpy at times - but only in comparison. While I loved the young Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews, the new movie is much more frank about the relationship between Charles and Sebastian, as well as the effect of religion on the family, which makes the story even more heartbreaking. And of course - there's Emma Thompson (playing much older), whom I adore.

16 years ago

Chris

Active Member

Michelle - I totally agree! Emma is my "least" favorite Austen though so I always wondered if that is why I felt the adaptations were not worthwhile.

Funny that earlier in year the BBC said they were not going to invest in any more "costume" dramas as they thought the public was tired of them. I am pleasantly surprised that the ylf crew is not tired of Austen!

Did anyone catch Lost in Austen? I was not a fan (although watched every episode for a dose of Regency) but Cranford looks very intriguing.

Also, if you need a light and fun read try the Jane detective series by Stephanie Barron.

16 years ago

Ele

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Active Member

Ok, I just finished watching the new Brideshead Revisisted, and I LOVED it! I adore Emma Thompson in anything she does, but I hadn't heard that she was in this, so it was a wonderful surprise for me. Also, did Hayley Atwell make a beautiful Julia, or what? Sigh, I must absolutely rent the 1981 version, now.

16 years ago

shana

Veteran

Tara, thanks for the recommendation - I just requested Cranford from my local library! I am also a huge Jane Austen fan (well, what girl isn't?) and love period movies. I usually have to drag my husband along to "chic flicks" and he complains bitterly about being the only male in the theater! He did enjoy watching the "Tudors" with me though - must have been all the steamy love scenes!

16 years ago

Inge

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Moderator

Thanks for the great tip Tara, I'll see if I can rent Cranford somewhere.

Colin Firth in P&P, mmmmm, that's THE best he ever looked in my opinion;-)

I didn't see the remake of Brideshead Revisited, the first series was fantastic. Both Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews were perfect for their roles!
(As a young teen I also loved A. Andrews in a silly screen version of Baroness Orczy's 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'. He had the foppish mannerisms down pat.)

Didn't see the American version of P&P yet either. But I'm sure Matthew Macfadyen can brood with the best of them. He was fantastic in the first two seasons of Spooks (British spy series), I stopped watching it after he left.

16 years ago

Lena

Active Member

Ele, thanks for the heads up on the new Emma adaptation. I really like Romola Garai.

Another vote for 1995 Persuasion with Ciaran Hinds.

Inge, it's funny you should mention Spooks and MM. I started watching Spooks (last season only) for Richard Armitage.

16 years ago

Chris

Active Member

One of my first stops with my morning coffee (after Angie's daily blog post of course) is Jane Austen Today blog :

http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com/

Check it out for latest Janite news.

16 years ago

bella

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Veteran

Lena - I just finished watching North and South. It was fantastic! Thanks for the recommendation. Richard Armitage is indeed quite the eye candy. I really loved this series, I would strongly recommend it.

16 years ago

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