Northanger Abbey)

Starring:Irene Richard, Tracey Childs, Diana Fairfax, Peter Woodward, Bosco Hogan, Robert Swann, Donald Douglas (III), Annie Leon, Peter Gale, Amanda Boxer, Julia Chambers, Elizabeth Benson, Marjorie Bland, Philip Bowen, Christopher Brown, William Lawford, Raymond Mason, John Owens, Gina Rowe, Pippa Sparkes
Director: Rodney Bennett, John Glenister, Howard Baker
Studio: BBC Warner
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The socially restricted lives of 18th-century women hardly seems like a subject that would inspire dozens of 20th (and 21st) century adaptations--but the brilliant novels of Jane Austen are flush with sparkling dialogue, razor-sharp wit, marvelously realized characters that range from adorably sympathetic to grotesquely comic, and--above all--ingeniously intricate plots, which arrive at a seemingly inevitable happy conclusion yet keep you seized with suspense every inch of the way. The Jane Austen Collection pulls together six BBC miniseries from 1971 through 1987, one for each of Austen's much-beloved books.

Unsurprisingly, the gems of the lot are also the best of the novels: Pride and Prejudice and Emma. Pride and Prejudice, expertly translated to the screen by novelist Fay Weldon, skillfully chronicles the ups and downs of the sensible but quick to judge Elizabeth Bennet (the adorable Elizabeth Garvie) and the snooty Mr. Darcy (played with an imperious scowl by David Rintoul). Any adaptation of Emma rests firmly on its central character, and Doran Godwin wonderfully captures Emma Woodhouse's resilience, determination, and exasperating self-satisfaction. Definitely the funniest of Austen's novels, Emma's satirical humor is perfectly balanced with romantic yearning, and this 1972 version succeeds delightfully.

Amazon.com

The socially restricted lives of 18th-century women hardly seems like a subject that would inspire dozens of 20th (and 21st) century adaptations--but the brilliant novels of Jane Austen are flush with sparkling dialogue, razor-sharp wit, marvelously realized characters that range from adorably sympathetic to grotesquely comic, and--above all--ingeniously intricate plots, which arrive at a seemingly inevitable happy conclusion yet keep you seized with suspense every inch of the way. The Jane Austen Collection pulls together six BBC miniseries from 1971 through 1987, one for each of Austen's much-beloved books.

Unsurprisingly, the gems of the lot are also the best of the novels: Pride and Prejudice and Emma. Pride and Prejudice, expertly translated to the screen by novelist Fay Weldon, skillfully chronicles the ups and downs of the sensible but quick to judge Elizabeth Bennet (the adorable Elizabeth Garvie) and the snooty Mr. Darcy (played with an imperious scowl by David Rintoul). Any adaptation of Emma rests firmly on its central character, and Doran Godwin wonderfully captures Emma Woodhouse's resilience, determination, and exasperating self-satisfaction. Definitely the funniest of Austen's novels, Emma's satirical humor is perfectly balanced with romantic yearning, and this 1972 version succeeds delightfully.

Persuasion, though more melancholy in tone, has a wonderfully sympathetic heroine in Anne Elliot (played by the graceful Ann Fairbanks), who once turned away the man she loved but is given the chance, seven years later, to set things right. Sense and Sensibility suffers from comparison to the star firepower and cinematic sweep of the 1995 movie with Emma Thompson (a must-see for any Austen fan), but the dueling characters of gracious Elinore and headstrong Marianne, two sisters struggling with fallen fortunes, make for enjoyable viewing in this 1981 adaptation. Mansfield Park has perhaps the dullest hero and heroine of any Austen novel, yet the story zips along, powered by some of Austen's most outrageous supporting characters, here brought to deliciously comic life by Anna Massey and Angela Pleasence. Northanger Abbey satirizes gothic romances and the overheated imaginations that loved them; but though the tone is more broad and melodramatic than most of Austen, this 1987 adaptation suits the novel and rounds out this very satisfying boxed set. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful stories.......2007-06-13

I received this collection from my children who know that I am a Jane Austen fan. The DVD's are outstanding. There are several episodes of each story, so you can break them up if you want to - for instance, Pride and Prejudice is comprised of 5 separate episodes and requires both sides of the DVD. The adaptations are excellent - the characters are well fleshed out and believable in the ir roles. If you are a Jane Austen fan, you will love the adaptations, since they follow Ms. Austen's original story lines much more closely than some of the popular movies do. You can recognize lines from the books. Get them - you won't regret it!

BBC Jane Austen set.......2007-05-26

The BBC productions are good, but dated. It doesn't matter, however, if you are a Jane Austen fan.

very good productions.......2007-05-07

I have enjoyed these movies very much. It is interesting to see the older versions.

great gift for women.......2007-04-10

I have given this set to:
Sisters in law
nieces
grand daughters

Jane Austen was one of the greatest love story novelists and women LOVE her. I like her use of English words we don't use anymore scruple and repine for example

A worthwhile collection for any Austen fan!.......2007-04-05

This BBC boxed set has all of Jane Austen's works in one collection. As always the BBC adaptations are one of the most faithful to the novels upon which they are based. The version of Pride & Prejudice was my favorite of the collection. The actress who portrays Ms Eliza Bennett plays her role with wit, charm, and a vulnerability that is juxtaposed against the actor who plays the proud, arrogant Mr Darcy. Persuasion is also well-made, and the story of love lost and found is told poignantly with good performances by the two leads. The version of Emma here is the most faithful I have comes across of other adaptations, but I did not like the lead actress' portrayal of Emma, she seemed too stuffy, and even cold [compared to Kate Beckinsale's and Gwyneth Paltrow's performances in other versions]. This version of Sense and Sensibility was also very true to the novel, but both the main leads appeared plain and washed out [I much preferred Emma Thompson's and Kate Winslet's performances in a different version]. Finally, the version of Northanger Abbey here was truly a departure from the other DVDs in this collection, and that is quite understandable given that Jane Austen did write it in the style of a Gothic romance [whilst still poking fun at the English upper class].

All in all, its a worthwhile collection for any Austen fan, and its good to watch them and compare the scenes to the ones in the books.

Jane Austen in Manhattan - The Merchant Ivory Collection

Average customer rating:

a quirky experiment
What a Dissapointment!

Jane Austen in Manhattan - The Merchant Ivory Collection
Starring: Anne Baxter , Robert Powell , Michael Wager , Tim Choate , and John Guerrasio
Director: James Ivory
Manufacturer: Merchant Ivory
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002KPHVA
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Description

Rival theater companies compete to produce their own unique versions of Jane Austen's childhood play, Sir Charles Grandison, in this delightful film from Merchant Ivory Productions. George Midash (Michael Wager) buys the play's manuscript at Sotheby's for Pierre (Robert Powell), the head of an avant-garde theater group. Another troupe, headed by the very traditional Lilianna Zorska (Anne Baxter), strives to produce their own version of the play. In her first film role, Sean Young co-stars as a young actress being manipulated by Pierre to join his company. When Lilianna decides to match wits with Pierre, events begin to mirror those occurring within the play itself. A brilliant ensemble cast, a witty screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and an inventive score by Richard Robbins all contribute to make Jane Austen an elegant entertainment.

Customer Reviews:

a quirky experiment.......2006-01-23

I'm a Jane Austen freak and devoted to Merchant Ivory movies. This one is early and quirky. It's about art and acting. It's about two quite different ways to bring Jane Austen to life in Manhattan: a traditional, aristocratic way, and an avant garde liberatory way. Watching the two ways interact on the screen (and almost merge at the end) while trying to follow the story of who abducted who and how she felt about it ties your mind in unexpected knots. I think one needs to have read not only Jane Austen's juvenilia, but also Richardson's now-impossible once-best-seller novel Sir Charles Grandison to understand all the allusions and satire. If you happen to have experienced the artistic circles in New York in the 60's and 70's - from the upper class patrons of experimental avant garde art to the struggling young would be actors - then you MAY enjoy the movie. Many people seem to have really disliked it. I loved it.

What a Dissapointment!.......2005-05-08

The blurb about this movie made it seem like something I wanted to see, even buy. I rented it yesterday. Thank goodness I did not buy it! It is bizarre' to say the least, and lousy, to say the truth! My husband is a former film maker and even he found nothing good to say about the technique, script, lighting, acting, et al. The whole thing has almost nothing to do with Jane Austen-a lost piece of her work sold at auction to the leader of misguided would-be actors in New York under his spell. He passes himself off as some sort of avant-garde coach, when he is actually creating some kind of cult in which he alone reaps any benefits. He takes everyone's money, practically holds them prisioner, and puts on ridiculous scenes in the name of creating genius. Only Anne Baxter added anything positive to this film as an actress who wants to put on a real production of the Jane Austen works, but even she can not pull this stinker out of the loo. Save your money and your time.

BBC Jane Austen and Charles Dickens Classics Collection

Average customer rating:

BBC Jane Austen and Charles Dickens Classics Collection
Starring: Diana Rigg , Denholm Elliott , Philip Franks , T.P. McKenna , and Brian Deacon
Director: Ross Devenish , John Glenister , and Julian Amyes
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000E0OE0I
Release Date: 2006-01-24

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