My Review: Death Comes To Pemberley (2013)

This new murder mystery sequel to Pride and Prejudice aired December 26-28, 2013 on BBC in three episodes. Series aired on Masterpiece Theatre in two episodes October 26 & November 2, 2014. I received the book by P.D. James for Christmas and had hoped to read it first, but the opportunity to view this miniseries proved too tempting to resist! While there is a murder theme and a part of the plot includes and adulterous theme, there is only one scene that is a bit inappropriate. If you decide to watch it on YouTube like I did then I can tell you exactly where in the video the bad scene(s) are. Although not capturing the real P&P in some ways, this was a very fun period drama and is a very hopefully sign that Jane Austen related films will continue to be made! I did really enjoy Death Comes To Pemberley (2013) and it was added to my DVD collection as soon as it became available in the USA.

Story: In their six years of marriage, Elizabeth and Darcy have forged a peaceful, happy life for their family at Pemberley, Darcy’s impressive estate. Her father is a regular visitor; her sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live nearby; the marriage prospects for Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, are favorable. And preparations for their annual autumn ball are proceeding apace. But on the eve of the ball, chaos descends. Lydia Wickham, Elizabeth’s disgraced sister who, with her husband, has been barred from the estate, arrives in a hysterical state—shrieking that Wickham has been murdered. Plunged into frightening mystery and a lurid murder trial, the lives of Pemberley’s owners and servants alike may never be the same.

Costumes: Mostly correct for the Regency time period although older characters like Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourgh wear older more Georgian styles even though they probably would have long updated their styles  (Mrs. Bennet at least loved new fashions!). Most characters are shown in the same outfits or colors multiple times, even main characters like Elizabeth who always wears teal. There are some lovely gowns though, especially Lydia's red v-neck gown.

Music: Fits moods of scenes - pensive, mysterious, happy, hopeful. There is one English Country Dance but is doesn't last long. Main theme is pretty but not easily identifiable. Music good for a period drama.

Scenery: Pemberley House and the surrounding lands are beautiful and perfect for filming. The house used for the exterior shots at Pemberley is Chatsworth House in Derbyshire just as in Pride & Prejudice (2005) so the outdoor and indoor shots are very lovely and somewhat familiar! A lot of the indoor scenes at Pemberley were shot at Castle Howard in York, England (they have an excellent page that tells which scenes were shot in which rooms!) where a lot of the main rooms run into each other instead of having a central hallway. The room into room conversations are used frequently for overhearing conversations and picking up clues, although it did bug me sometimes but maybe just because Lydia featured in many of those scenes. Also in the miniseries you will find a sweet little cottage, old abbey ruins, mysterious woods, a country village, busy town, a jail, a historic courthouse and a cozy little church! The locations are particularly excellent!

Questionable Scenes: The main inappropriate scene is in Episode Three and is a love making scene between Elizabeth and Darcy. It doesn't last very long and doesn't get R rated as it is mostly kissing and undressing. In the scene that follows a bare chested Darcy and Elizabeth in her undergarments lay in bed and discuss the case. These scenes are not necessary to the miniseries and can be easily skipped. Besides these two scenes there is a mother briefly shown breast feeding her baby. The murder/attack is shown in full toward the end of the miniseries with some slight violence. Besides those there is also themes of adultery, unwed mothers, hanging, blackmail and scandal throughout this miniseries. Although this is a murder mystery it is very tastefully done and inappropriate things are not shown even if they are mentioned.

Historical & Austen Accuracy: There are no drastically different changes from Jane Austen's original novel as the events in Death Comes To Pemberley happen six years after Pride and Prejudice ends. Mary Bennet and her husband are mentioned but Kitty Bennet never is, which is a bit disappointing. A few characters appear harsher or more secretive in the context of this murder mystery than they did in the original book. As far as I have read the story is faithful to Regency law and investigation proceedings. There are a few new characters added and some matches between existing and new characters are a bit unrealistic but they are fun.
One thing that was a bit harder to like was some scenes that flashed back to happenings from Pride and Prejudice; the costumes and hairstyles used in those were more Georgian and they didn't use direct quotes all the time. It was a bit of a miss for me because direct quotes could have easily been used. These scenes are easier to take if you think of them as perhaps the characters' faulty memories of previous events.

Actors & Characters: Many familiar faces! But were they well cast?

--Anna Maxwell Martin as Elizabeth Bennet Darcy - Because this is a more serious themed story there is not as much opportunity for Elizabeth's wit to come out but it does on a few glorious occasions. Her quick opinion, sharp mind and love of walking through mud are very evident. Anna Maxwell Martin is not the Elizabeth we all want but she is such a remarkable actress that she is fascinating to watch on screen and I couldn't help cheering over seeing her finally portray a Jane Austen heroine. Next stop Anne Elliot!

--Matthew Rhys as Fitzwilliam Darcy - Very fatherly and kind, honorable, gentlemanly, noble. But as the same time the murder investigation makes him overprotective of Pemberley and the Darcy reputation. He becomes distant to Elizabeth and the viewer as he slips back into being the prideful and rather secretive Darcy from the beginning of P&P and not the changed, more open Darcy of the novel's end. Matthew Rhys actually looks better as Darcy than I had expected, and is definitely worlds better than the dark and evil Mr. Jasper he was in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012). And this Darcy does smile quite a bit!

--Matthew Goode as George Wickham - A perfect choice for Wickham with his dark good looks and charm but also capturing Wickham's greed and selfishness. Matthew Goode captured Wickham amazingly well and was so believeable that you really do start to hate Wickham all over again. In the story Mr. Wickham is not only accused of murder but a good deal of other misconducts too, the trick is finding out which ones are true! It was great to see this period drama actor in another similar role and one that took a great deal of skill to pull off exceedingly well.

--Jenna Coleman as Lydia Bennet Wickham - Finally, Doctor Who meets Jane Austen! Well, not really but having a Doctor Who companion play an Austen character may be the closest the Whovian-Janeites get. ;)  In a word Jenna Coleman was horrid as Lydia, absolutely horrid! And by horrid I mean that she so perfectly captured Lydia that I found her as absolutely irritating as in P&P! Her pretty looks, annoying voice and total careless attitude to what anyone else thinks were perfect for Elizabeth's wild younger sister. Jenna was perfectly horrid! :)

--Eleanor Tomlinson as Georgiana Darcy - Although not quite as pretty as some might expect, this Georgiana is noble, kind and sweet. She has grown wiser and a bit bolder perhaps but still retains her strength of character. In this story she finds two suitors vying for her hand and a little romance story ensues. She is truly a good friend and help to Elizabeth and Darcy. Her story ends not quite how we Janeites might expect but overall it is a very interesting part of the miniseries.

--Rebecca Front as Mrs. Bennet - She doesn't quite look like Mrs. Bennet, especially as the style she wears are more Georgian in looks, but in all other respects Rebecca Front completely captures Mrs. Bennet. Nervy, gossipy, hypochondriac, selfish, careless of scandal, all these are the Mrs. Bennet we expect and recieve. Like the Lydia and Wickham actors, Rebecca Front is so perfect in her role that you can't help but find her highly irritating!

--James Fleetwood as Mr. Bennet - Wonderful to see this actor in another period drama role but unfortunately he stutters and seems weak next to his wife, instead of being the dry witted critical thinker of the book. There are a few excellent scenes of him enjoying Pemberley's library or joking with Elizabeth, but overall he is too much like Frederick Dorrit and doesn't stand out as boldly as Mr. Bennet should.

--Tom Ward as Colonel Fitzwilliam - Though noble, kind and gentlemanly this version of Colonel Fitzwilliam is also prideful, aristocratic, abrupt, overprotective and secretive. The portrayal of this character was the biggest fail of the miniseries for me. I really like the friendly, witty, kind, upbeat Colonel Fitzwilliam of the book and while I understand how this very different version fits into this story it was difficult to see him so much changed. Also Tom Ward didn't look much like the Colonel to me. It might have been better to have him be a different Fitzwilliam brother because he certainly wasn't the Colonel from the book.

--Joanna Scanlan as Mrs. Reynolds - She was surprisingly a bit younger looking that would seem right for a the Pemberley housekeeper who is supposed to have known Mr. Darcy since he was born. She keeps the household running quite smoothly and is Elizabeth's right hand woman on every occasion. Mrs. Reynolds is a very likeable character although she could have been a bit more talkative and a bit older.

--Penelope Keith as Lady Catherine de Bourgh - Perfectly aristocratic, haughty and prideful of the family name. Penelope Keith looked and talked the part but she has the uncanny ability to make Elizabeth look a bit childish and Lady Catherine seem to speak complete sense. Given her lines from P&P I think she would have been perfect but here the scene is short and goes by very quickly.

--Tom Canton as Captain Denny - The murder victim and there's some question as to whether he is a good guy or a bad guy. It is interesting to see this character come back from the novel and still be friends with the Wickhams. The actor did a good job of adding life (and death) to a fairly faceless character.

--Alexandra Moen as Jane Bennet Bingley - When Elizabeth needs a little bit of gentle counsel Jane is on hand to give some sisterly advice. She is blond, sweet and sensible but perhaps does not think so well of people as she does in the book. She does help get Lydia and Mrs. Bennet away from Pemberley for a while for which we and Elizabeth both heartily thank her! Mr. Bingley does not make an appearance and little if anything is said of their having any children.

--Trevor Eve as Sir Selwyn Hardcastle - The magistrate and investigator in the case who has some bad feelings toward the Darcy family. He is a rough and rather hard man but he gets to the truth in the end. His character is often disheveled and shows the gritty side of the Regency period.

--James Norton as Henry Alverston - A friend of the Darcy family who is a lawyer and a bit of a radical thinker. Henry's interest in Georgiana is very sweet but it is hard to tell whether he is always acting in the family's best interest.

--Philip Martin Brown as Mr. Bidwell - The proud old coachman who must make way for new younger men to take his place. His family has served the Darcys for generations and he is very disappointed that his son Will is too sick to take his place as coachman.

--Jennifer Hennessey as Mrs. Bidwell - His wife, a kind and gentle woman.

--Lewis Rainer as Will Bidwell - Mr. Bidwell's son who is very ill and nearing his last. Elizabeth visits their cottage to lend Will books like Robinson Crusoe!

--Nichola Burley as Louisa Bidwell - Mr. Bidwell's daughter who is pretty and sweet. She and her mother care for her sister's young son George.

--Kevin Eldon as Doctor McFee - A physician of great courage who besides examining the victim must tend to the hard task of settling Mrs. Bennet's and Lydia's nerves! There are a few rather funny scenes involving him, a very clever actor!

--Little Fitzwilliam Darcy - Darcy and Elizabeth's son who is spirited and all boy. His parents both adore him even though they find themselves at odds from time to time.

--Mariah Gale as Mysterious Lady - A phantom lurks in Pemberley woods - is she the ghost of a disgruntled employee, the murderer's assistant or something worse?

--Stephen Casey as Reverend Oliphant - Local minister who assists the Darcys when scandal threatens their family name. I found him to be quite a funny character but also a brave one as he helps uncover who the true murderer is.

My Thoughts: Although there are a few discrepancies to the original book there are a lot of things that match very well. From the first episode I found myself really enjoying the story and the actors too. It was really a lot of fun to see this world beyond the novel and a story set at Pemberley. I really enjoy mystery stories too so having that type of period drama mystery was quite intriguing! The miniseries reminded me a bit of the Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Baron that I have read and it would be neat to see some of those stories brought to the screen someday. As I said at the beginning of my review a DVD copy of this miniseries will definitely be added to my Jane Austen collection in the future. It was a very well done miniseries and should be enjoyed by all Janeites! I look forward to reading my copy of Death Comes To Pemberley in the near future and finding out what was included and excluded from P.D. James' book.

Recommendations: This miniseries was made for TV but I would give it almost a PG-13 rating but only for the questionable scene and themes mentioned above. There is mild profanity used but no really bad language. I'd recommend Death Comes To Pemberley (2013) to teens and adults who enjoy Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen and murder mysteries. Janeites, you may just love it!


Have you seen Death Comes To Pemberley (2013)? 

Based on my review would you like to watch it if you haven't already? 

Screencaps downloaded from sns_red_curtain.

My Reviews: Persuasion (1995)

Directed by Roger Mitchell, this 1995 version is probably my favorite movie of all time and is certainly my favorite Jane Austen adaptation. It is wonderfully faithful to Jane’s book and just a heart-warming movie in general with much to recommend it to viewers: a charming script, lovely music, beautiful scenes and costumes, and excellent actors.

Script:

Written by Nick Dear, the script comes straight from the pages of Jane Austen’s last completed novel, Persuasion. It catches the quite humor and touching scenes that are her trademark. Its only fault perhaps is in the unclear explanation of Mr. Elliot’s greed, which somehow doesn’t make sense, even if you haven’t read the book. There are also a few omissions such as the story of Dick Musgrove and Anne’s visit to Kellynch Lodge with Lady Russell and strangely enough the changing of some of the minor character’s names around for clarification or whim. A lovely touch to the movie is the way in which the script blends both the common and original endings, which Austen wrote, adding to the movie’s personal charms.

Music:

Original music composed by Jeremy Sams, as well as classical pieces from Chopin and Bach, perfectly accent the tone of the movie. The music is touching, rolling, light and exquisite; while an Italian Aria surpasses all as it is sung so beautifully by soprano Rosa Mannion.

Scenes:

Filmed entirely in England, majestic country manors form the homes of the main characters, while outside scenes show charming gardens and fields. The clamor-filled streets of Bath are sufficiently crowded while on the seashore at Lyme the sea fairly dances and you can almost feel and taste the salty breeze. Inside scenes do a fantastic job of contrasting the differences of living qualities between the upper and lower classes in Regency society. As Jane Austen paints with her words so the camera shows how the stark, clean, rich scenes represent the heartless mind-set of the noble; while the dark, damp, earthy feel of the not-so-rich represent love and friendship.

Costumes:

The costumes for this production were accurately designed by Alexandra Byrne and delightfully contrast the difference in status and personality between the characters. Anne’s costumes are like her character, soft and quiet, while the playful Musgrove girls wear brighter colors trimmed with ace and ribbons, and Sir Walter’s suits show in their sheer extravagance his self-important pride. Grand make-up and hairstyle teams were also employed in contrast, creating natural and easy styles fitting each character perfectly. As Anne transforms from appearing plain and sickly at the beginning of the film to appearing truly lovely and blooming at the end of the movie, her conceited sister just seems to grow more unattractive.

Actors On Their Roles:

A delightful cast showcasing some of Britain’s finest actors and skilled artists of stage and film. Their acting is perfectly easy and natural making one feel as if they are watching and indeed living in this marvelous world.

• Corin Redgrave is brilliant as the entirely self-important and vain Sir Walter Elliot. His style shows the narcissism of the character and he even adopts an aristocratic accent with his “Dalwymples”.
• Pheobe Nicholls plays Sir Walter’s oldest daughter Miss Elizabeth Elliot. She carries off the very elegant style of the character but is not very pretty. However she truly matches her father in vanity.
• Felicity Dean is Miss Elliot’s simple-minded friend Mrs. Clay. She has the perfect bucktooth and funny grin but sadly she lacks the quantity of freckles that would seem to constitute the use of Gowlands!
• Susan Fleetwood elegantly plays Lady Russell, the family’s friend. Always kind and proper she also shows a personable mother-like relationship with Anne, though she seems to have a passion for wearing feathers in her caps!
• Amanda Root is quite endearing as our sweet-tempered heroine Anne Elliot. I felt with her as she patiently listens to the complaints of all her relations while suffering so much in side herself. Her countenance is quiet and almost melancholy at times, the only thing that shows what she feels is her lovely expressive eyes. As the ends we see her opening up and becoming by turns more open and trusting, and receiving her just rewards for her long-suffering love.
• Sophie Thompson plays Anne’s younger sister Mary Musgrove, cross, sickly and complaining. Her scenes are so funny and wonderfully executed. 
• Simon Russell Beale who serves wonderfully as the stout, friendly sportsman plays her husband Charles Musgrove. He is also a caring father and kind brother with good manners. The open, easy friendships between him and the naval officers are charming and real. 
• Roger Hammond & Judy Cornwell are the jolly, friendly elder Mr. & Mrs. Musgrove and make for a wonderful contrast between them and Elliots. They show that they are real people who care deeply for their children and don’t pretend but live comfortable, loving and joking freely with their family all around them.
• Victoria Hamilton plays the sweet, pretty Henrietta Musgrove - quiet, friendly, pretty and sisterly. 
• Emma Roberts is her high-spirited younger sister Louisa Musgrove. She is quick witted and the perfect show-off before the men but not as giggly and silly as you might expect, just determined. Her Lyme fall is executed so much as if it was real but she does seem a strange match for a certain Captain.
• Ciaran Hinds is the perfect Captain Frederick Wentworth, kind, handsome and friendly. He is sometimes the hearty, teasing sailor and sometimes the feeling, romantic lover but always a gentleman and a true friend.
• Fiona Shaw plays Captain Wentworth’s sister Mrs. Croft to a T! While a little older than Jane Austen described her, she is friendly, personable, elegant, kind, and a wonderful loving wife. Actor John Woodvine plays her seafaring husband Admiral Croft - friendly, charming, wise and fatherly. There is a wonderful chemistry between Shaw and Woodvine that is so sweet and make them seem the happiest married couple in the world.
• Actors Richard McCabe (Captain Benwick) and Robert Glenister (Captain Harville) play Captain Wentworth’s two brother officers, winningly courageous as to inspire true naval fervor in myself as well as similar young ladies. Captain Benwick is really a thinking reading man, quiet with an injured heart. Captain Harville is friendly with a believable limp and loving nature. His heartfelt talk with Anne seems to come from his real life experiences, and he is a very good whisperer!
• Samuel West is the handsome, gentlemanlike cad Mr. William Elliot. He is personable and friendly but at times slightly brooding and snakelike as he should be.

Blunders:

• After Louisa jumps off the steps in Lyme, a blue car is seen driving up the Cobb behind Captain Wentworth.
• On one of her visits to her friend Mrs. Smith, Anne can be seen entering the building wearing a pink dress and exits wearing a blue dress.
• At the dinner at the Musgrove's, the Musgrove girls read from the Navy List that Captain Wentworth’s former ship the Laconia is a 74 gun frigate. Frigates of the era had at a maximum around 44 guns. A ship with 74 guns would have been known as a "ship of the line".

Memorable Quotes:

• Mr. Shepherd: Women without children are the very best preservers of furniture.
• Sir Walter Elliot: Anne? You want to marry Anne? Whatever for?
• Captain Wentworth: I tried to forget you... I thought I had.
• Mr. Elliot: Have you thought any more about my offer? Anne: What offer was that? Mr. Elliot: My offer to flatter and adore you all the days of your life. Anne: I haven't had a moment, Mr. Elliot, to turn my mind to it.
• Anne Elliot: We do not forget you, so soon as you forget us.
• Henrietta Musgrove: Louisa is grown so severe, Mama, I wonder she shall want a ribbon in her hair at all. Give her a book of verse to hold instead!
• Mary Musgrove: Are you coming in, Henrietta, or is my cottage insufficiently grand for you?
• Anne Elliot: Are you here for the concert? Captain Wentworth: No, I am here for a lecture on navigation. Am I in the wrong place?

My Reviews: Persuasion (1971)

Produced and directed by Howard Baker this TV movie was the first of six BBC adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The film was released in April of 1971 on BBC television in five 60-minute segments for a total of 225 minutes.

Script:

Adapted by Julian Mitchell, this is a fairly complete script that includes such overlooked scenes as the story of Dick Musgrove, Anne’s charming visit to Lady Russell and the Crofts at Kellynch, as well as including a rather long but wonderful explanation of the elusive Mr. Elliot. For his script Mr. Mitchell chose the originally published ending to Persuasion which features Anne and Wentworth’s explanation of their conducts and - hold on to you hats - two kisses in a public place! This general defect of propriety in Regency England is carried throughout the movie as we see bad manners exhibited by those to whom bad manners were never attributed to by Jane Austen. Men can be often seen sitting before ladies do or not even rising when a lady comes into a room and on two occasions servants can be seen handing ladies in and out of carriages while not wearing gloves of any kind! In the dialog also we see many defects as we hear the proper Lady Russell calling her baronet friend “Walter” at least five times and in return Sir Walter says “Penelope” when speaking of the widowed Mr. Clay! These instances along with dialog being allowed to fill in heavily for the narrative can leave one bored and dissatisfied with the film as a whole.

Music:

Original music arranged by Steven Hancock is often a bit dramatic but does feature fun, light, lively dances arranged by Litz Pisk and a fine Italian tenor.

Scenes:

Exterior scenes are few but feature lovely gardens, fields, and avenues painted in autumn colors. House exteriors display glimpses of grand manors and historic Bath buildings that appear lovely in the daylight but seem very dark in the evening. Interior scenes are filmed on soundstages that seem open and lofty and echo quite a bit. Wallpapers have funny 1970’s patterns, windows are large and fake, but furniture in these scenes is grand and quite nice. Character placements on these “stages” are very odd and the sound quality is poor as it shifts around quite a bit.

Costumes:

Designed by Esther Dean, costumes catch the style of regency with high waisted gowns and velvet jackets but are mixed with the colors of the 1970’s: bright shades of green, orange, and brown. The costumes seem to have been made and handed out at random, as they often don’t seem to suit the characters they are worn by. The simple, elderly Musgroves wear fancy styles in rich colors while the elegant, vain Sir Walter Elliot and his daughter Elizabeth, who are in debt because of their love of finery, are dressed in simple styles of dull colored materials. Many costumes are worn several scenes in a row, for instance one dress that our heroine Anne is seen in repeatedly is a horrid green plaid that is so ugly one feels sorry for her.

Funny lace caps are worn by many of the women, married or unmarried, and the jewelry is tacky and out of place. The sailors in the film never wear their uniforms, bow ties can be seen on the men instead of the period cravats, and footmen very rarely wear gloves! The hairstyles are little better; the gentlemen can be seen in long mop like lengths, while the ladies hairstyles are pretty but simple and hardly decorated with anything like a turban, feather or beads.

Actors:

• Anne Firbank as Anne Elliot at first glance is too old and has an elegant beauty that really doesn’t fit Jane Austen’s description of a heroine “past her bloom”. Despite her unflattering costumes I tried to like her but her acting is spiritless, her hair is too light, and her voice too deep and dramatic. She is too tall, too thin; also her attitude is too forthright and outspoken. She has such a commanding aspect as she argues with friends and family, speaks too freely of her feelings, and laughs her head off in a ridiculous manner. I can’t understand how anyone can like her at all – let alone the charming Captain Wentworth.
• Bryan Marshall does an excellent job of portraying Captain Wentworth. He is really quite the gentleman, humorous, well-breed and sociable. He seems truly concerned about the Musgrove’s dead son and about Louisa’s fall, and he is so romantic at the end as he tells Anne his feelings for her have never changed. The only thing that puts a damper on his performance is his shaggy brown hair and his never wearing a naval uniform.
• Basil Dignam as Anne’s father Sir Walter Elliot is fine, handsome and believably vain and eloquent. Sadly his character seem under the regulation of a script that has him filling in the narrative, talking with his daughter of her feelings, calling a widowed friend too familiarly by her Christian name, and generally doing several things against his nature.
• Anne’s older sister, Elizabeth Elliot, is played by handsome and elegant Valerie Gearon. With her quiet, confident attitude she is a convincing Elizabeth, though she may have made a better Anne. Ms. Gearon’s talents however seem restrained by dyed jet-black hair, the same pink and purple gowns, and lengthy unreasonable discussion of women’s confinement.
• Charlotte Mitchell is Elizabeth’s friend Mrs. Clay who Jane Austen describes as a young, pretty, charming fortune-hunter but in this movie version she is depicted as an unattractive, simpering elderly lady who smiles funny and tries to please everyone but fails miserably. Her gowns are hideous green and yellow affairs with matronly caps completing the anti-temptress attitude. 
• Her father, Mr. Shepherd, portrayed by the very talented Edward Jewsburry, is perfect as the Elliot’s persuasive and gentlemanlike lawyer.
• Actress Morag Hood portrays a very elegant and slightly flirtatious Mary Musgrove in rather low cut gowns and chokers. But she does a fabulous job of lying upon a sofa and complaining illness. 
• Rowland Davies is a fine Charles Musgrove; he is definitely the picture of sportsman and can be seen frequently throughout the film with shooting rifle in hand or hunting dog at his heel. He is young, solid, amusing, brotherly, and affectionate even though he seems to be constantly carving some meat or other for a meal.
• Timid Henrietta Musgrove is played by the truly sweet and pretty actress Mel Martin. She is perfectly cast and dressed in clothes matching her character light, fresh, and blooming.
• Zhivila Roche is the impatient and giddy Louisa Musgrove. She is cute as a button and wears the most darling bonnets but really her giggle is over the top, her acting far too dramatic, and her gaga infatuation with the naval men so irritating that the viewer is extremely glad that she falls off the Cobb when she does because we’re not sure we can handle any more of the stupid girl!
• Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove are portrayed by actors William Kendall and Noel Dyson. Though perfectly friendly, old-fashioned and parental they appear too gentile and dignified.
• Actress Marian Spencer is Anne’s friend Lady Russell who in this movie is far too dramatic, homely, gray haired, friendly and agreeable. She talks a great deal and is too much Anne’s confidant, so much so that I believe she would have served much better as Mrs. Musgrove than the elegant, practical, rich noblewoman. Again the script plays a large part in my not liking her as it places her in scenes where she is waving her hand off while saying good-bye, pulling away in her carriage from the sidewalk before her friend is safely inside the house and wearing the same dresses frequently throughout the film.
• Georgine Anderson as Mrs. Croft is just as lovely and elegant as Jane Austen described her. She shows she has style by wearing lovely turbans and her warm sisterly affections almost put to rest the thoughts of her high pitched voice and over thirty-nine years.
• Her husband the seafaring Admiral Croft is the comic relief in this film. Actor Richard Vernon is tall and bearded, rather crusty and careless, and resembles in my mind a jolly Father Christmas. But again the technical aspect of the film has him always stoking a fire and sitting down before the ladies in a room have a chance too. I dearly love the scene where Anne and Lady Russell visit the Crofts at Kellynch where the Admiral laments the quantity of mirrors, it’s just so funny!
• David Savile as the fine mannered cousin Mr. William Elliot is totally charming, gentlemanlike, humorous, and fastidious with a slightly strange accent. The scenes between him and Mrs. Clay are perfectly acted though she is such a woman.
• Also of note are Michael Culver & Helen Ryan who are perfect as Captain Wentworth’s friends the ever hospitable, charming Harvilles; Paul Alexander who as Henrietta’s beau Charles Hayter, is rather stuffy, scholarly, funny-looking, and lovable; comedic actor Paul Chapman is a dark, lanky, somber, quiet, but kind Captain James Benwick; and Polly Murch serves well as Anne’s old school-mate Mrs. Smith, but wears ridiculous caps, is terribly pale and thin with big eyes and a fairly large nose. Her explanations of Mr. Elliot’s dealings with her husband are warm and convincing.

Blunders:

• While walking down a country lane, actors pass World War Two tank traps, quite out of place in Regency England.

Memorable Quotes:

• Captain Wentworth: I could think of you only as one who had given me up, who had been influenced by one other than me.
• Anne: “Oh, Frederick, Frederick, Frederick!”
• Admiral Croft: There’s no getting away from oneself!

My Reviews: Emma (1972)

Directed by John Glenister, this mini series was first produced for the BBC and aired in July of 1972 over six episodes for a total of 240 minutes. This play like adaptation is a tad long but it’s complete script and talented actors will endear it to the true Janeite.

Script:

Written by Denis Constanduros, this version is an excellent adaptation of Jane Austen romantic comedy, but because it does cover the entire novel it can seem a bit lengthy. The dialog however is sweet and often funny. One of the things that were a bit disappointing was the scene of the Box hill party, which takes place the same day as the Donwell Abbey outing (instead of the day after) and half of the characters that were supposed to be present were missing while the other characters were participating in activities against their nature. But the ending interchanges between Emma and Mr. Knightley are tender and charming.

Music:

There is a serious lack of music in this film, but the opening and ending credits do feature light renditions on pianoforte of ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’. Because of the lack of music, scenes to echo with a play like quality and seem to drain the excitement out of the ballroom scenes. The songs that Emma plays for her friends are light and pretty, while the tunes Jane Fairfax plays are so somber and her voice is mediocre.

Scenes:

Stage like settings with high ceilings, wide-open spaces, and fake windows give indoor scenes a surreal feel. Outside scenes feature country houses, a lovely town street, as well as a delightful church and cemetery.

Costumes:

The costume department did a wonderful job producing period costumes on their ostensibly limited budget. The female characters are dressed in exquisite regency gowns laced with frills and ribbons and all of the ladies wear darling caps and bonnets. The men sport stylish hats, gloves, and velvet dinner jackets that seem to suit their station in life. Some of the fabrics though appear a bit out of place for the time period, such as Emma’s rather excessive pink faux fur cloak. Our light-hearted heroine is often put in high starched collars and can be found wearing the same gown several days in a row!

Actors:

All experienced stage actors, the cast brilliantly perform before the camera though their theatrical style causes one to feel as if you are watching a play rather than real life.

• Doran Godwin is Jane Austen’s “handsome, clever and rich” Emma Woodhouse. Though extremely elegant and upright Ms. Godwin just doesn’t seem to fit the mold Jane set out for one of her most popular heroines. She is neither pretty, nor convincingly twenty-one, nor does she have a very pleasing manner. Her acting is slow and deliberate with a high-pitched voice and a silly self-assured smile. Not quite “the picture of grown-up health” Jane Austen wrote of.
• Donald Eccles is Emma’s elderly father Mr. Woodhouse, and decidedly one of my favorite characters in this particular movie version. Thin and weedy with neat gray hair and eyes that grow endearingly wide as his concern about everyone’s health grows. He has even me convinced that opening a window at a dance would be as shocking as murder!
• Gray haired John Carson sadly is Mr. Knightley. Though he plays the aspect of Emma’s gentlemanlike “brother” correctly he often seems too old, too fine in appearance, too much the English aristocrat, and rather high-and-mighty for me to truly like him.
• Ellen Dryden is Emma’s former governess Mrs. Weston but with her supercilious ways she seems too elderly, and not motherly or friendly enough to be our heroine’s friend. 
• Raymond Adamson as her husband seems to be trying for almost a sea faring type in his portrayal of Mr. Weston. But he is perfectly kind with friendly manners.
• A young Mollie Sudgen is smashing as the teacher Mrs. Goddard, a bit gussied up, but sensible and insightful.
• Blonde haired Debbie Bowen is Emma’s friend Harriet Smith, who in this version is far from a naive seventeen-year-old. She would be a lovely Miss Smith if she did not smile so much and wasn’t so gushingly grateful to everyone. Her “yes Miss Woodhouse” and “thank you miss Woodhouse” can easily got on my nerves.
• Timothy Peters is very pleasing as the vicar Mr. Elton. A tad thin, and dressed in vicar blacks, he is always kind and thoughtful and rather good-looking.
• Fiona Walker as Mrs. Elton is both horrid and wonderful at the same time. Her acting is so good that we really dislike this “little upstart” who talks with her hands and seems to be always trying to arrange every else’s life.
• Robert East – young, handsome, agreeable, smiling, friendly, with a true love of gloves and dancing, charmingly acts Frank Churchill, but is a bit secretive.
• Constance Chapman after portraying Miss Bates in a BBC radio production renews acquaintance with that character. But though her voice is truly suited for the chattering old maid her appearance is too old and smiling, and always seems that she is being told to keep quiet. 
• Mary Holder plays the elderly Mrs. Bates, very quiet and matronly.
• Ania Marson as the lovely Jane Fairfax is quite small and fragile. But her acting is good but in one scene she is very quiet and patient and then all of a sudden speaks loud and cross to her aunt. But her voice is fine as she delights the guests at a Hartfield party with her singing performance.
• Meg Gleed, with her bright red hair and squeaky voice is Emma’s sister Isabella Knightley. She is rather too old though and could really be a grandmother rather than a young mother. She is very nice but always seems to be arguing with someone weather it be her husband, sister or father. 
• John Kelland is her husband Mr. John Knightley who is like his older brother Mr. Knightley. But instead of being very jovial and funny his humor seems to come from arguing with his father-in-law and laughing at him behind his back, instead of kindly indulging him. But he is truly a kind, insightful brother-in-law to Emma.

Memorable Quotes:

• Harriet: Yes Miss Woodhouse, thank you Miss Woodhouse!
• Harriet: I like of all things to go shopping the day after a party. One has the possibility of meeting – so many people!
• Emma (to Harriet): But you may borrow my lace ruff if you wish.
• Mr. Elton: Oh, Kightley! There’s some horrid creature crawling n my neck! In the absence of my caro sposo e you may remove it if you wish.
• Knightley: On one condition, that you cease to call me Mr. Knightley Emma: But that is how I always think of you. Kightley: I do have another name you know. Emma: Oh, yes but to call you by it would make you seem other than you are, and that I should not like. Oh, dear! I do remember once when I was just a girl, calling you George just to see if it would annoy you. But when I found it did not I never did so again! Knightley: And can you not do so now just to please me? Emma: George…George!…George? I am sorry Mr. Knightley I can not do it, you will have to remain as you are!