The Complete Jane Austen
So our local PBS station (ch. 11) runs Masterpiece Theater every Sunday night. A few weeks back, Masterpiece started running a series entitled THE COMPLETE JANE AUSTEN. All her works: Persuasion, Mansfield Park, Emma (with Kate Beckinsale), Pride & Prejudice (with Colin Firth *swoon*) and Sense & Sensibility. Since P&P is such a long series, they're breaking it up into 3 weeks; 2 hours a piece. So last night was part 1...........I so love this movie; this story! It makes me laugh. And I always cheer for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy - even though I know how it ends. I love this production, I think it's the best. Although, I've never seen any other version. And I'm sorry but I refuse to watch the version with Keira Knightly. I like her as an actress, but not for the role of Elizabeth Bennett. But I'm very much looking forward to watching EMMA with Kate Beckinsale. I've only ever seen the version with Gwyneth Paltrow and Toni Collette (I own it actually). But my mom saw the other one first before seeing the newer version and loved it. So I'm so looking forward to watching it - I adore Kate Beckinsale as well. Always have, since seeing her in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. I also own S&S with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman. I love this story too, and that was a brilliant cast. I'm also excited about seeing this version. I watched PERSUASION last week, that was a great story as well. I have no idea any of the actors in this movie, but I have to say that the guy playing the lead (Capt. Wentworth) was HOOOOT!!! I really am enjoying all this. I get so lost in Jane Austen's stories........she paints such a vivid picture of her world and the world of these characters. She was ages ahead of her time too. I love that her female characters were so strong. Anyway, if anybody's caught any of these.......care to discuss??

Yep,Gnat.....I'm watching too!!! Loved it last night! The charcters are all soooo good, aren't they?! Mrs. Bennett tickles me so much. Colin Firth,.....welllll,.....now THERE'S a handsome snob,eh?!!! Love it,love it! (I missed "Persuasion", but my sister-in-law ti-vo-ed it, so maybe I can catch-up soon!) "Emma" is a favorite of mine-----but don't know how P&P can be beaten, do you? Oh, Mr. Darcy!!!!!!!!!............. :faint :faint (Sorry,Ioan, but the Firth guy IS a hottie!)

I have the P & P with Kiera Knightly and Matthew Mcfayden. Though it is well done, I much prefer the Colin Firth version. It is a longer version so the development of the story is much better and as you say Firth is quite handsome. I do think Ioan would make a good Mr. Darcy, too. I don't know if our PBS station is playing them, but I'll try to remember to check it out next Sunday. Gnat, Post something to remind me before you leave work on Friday and maybe I can remember it for two days and watch.

Amen Matie!!! No problem Gaff - I'll PM you Friday. Now hopefully I remember to do that! :roll: I actually forgot about it completely Sunday night so I didn't come in until the middle. Mr. Collins had already made his welcome. LOL!! That guy gives me the creeps!!! And I really like Jennifer Ehle's performance as Miss Lizzie Bennett.

You Classics lovers across the Pond should look out for a new series we're just having here - Lark Rise to Candleford, based on the book by Flora Thompson (?) and starring Horatio's blushing bride, Julia Sawalha. A tale of folks in two little hamlets in Georgian rural England, it is beautifully made and acted. Catch it if you can!

That does sound like a great series Stevie. I'll have to watch for it. Gnat - have to agree with you on Collins - eewwww! Jennifer Elhe made a great Lizzie Bennett. Really liked all the sisters in their roles, too. I was not so enamored in the Kiera Knightley version.

I agree that Ioan could indeed make a very fine Mr. Darcy! Collins reminds me a little of a professor I had once. Ewwww, is a very apt description!

Ooh Stevie - thanks for that heads up! I'll have to get my mom on the trail of that and see when/if that's coming to the States. I love Julia Sawalha - I first saw her in this adaptation of P&P. I liked her in the Hornblower series as well so I'll definitely catch that if it comes over here. Gaff - ITA on that. I think they were all very well cast. And I've heard that about Keira Knightly - not saying she's a bad actress. On the contrary, I think she's fantastic...........but I think she's a bit too rough for Miss Lizzie. As intelligent and proud as Lizzie was as a character, she was still feminine. You know what I mean?? Matie - ewww! Is right!!!

I agree that she is a good actress, just not one of my favorites. There is a reason that Drama Instructors make actors work at getting rid of bad habits. I think it's when she talks through her teeth and she pinches her nose when she is showing distress that kind of irritates me and after seeing several movies it becomes recognizable as an actor's habit as opposed to a character choice.

Wow Gaff..........you do now realize I'll be looking for that every time I see her in a movie! :lol:

I've always found her intensely annoying (even in Bend It Like Beckham, which is a great film!) but you've just put your finger on why, GG! Still, my friend - who shares my view of Keira - highly recommends Atonement so I think I'll brave it on DVD....... (I am prepared to be won over, Keira!)

I've seen Atonement and found it visually beautiful, but extremely slow. I'll post more on the Oscar thread. She did a very good job, but if those habits annoy you; they are not gone in this one. She is alright in P&P, but I prefer the television P&P. I like Matthew McFayden in many of his roles and yet prefer Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. Overall just a superior production in my opinion.

I never really found Keira Knightly annoying. I still think she does better in a "bad a$$" role than a "girly" one (like in the first Pirates movie). I just finally saw BEND IT LIKE BECKAM this past Sunday. I loved this movie! I loved the Indian girl who plays Jess, I can't think of her name but she was on ER for awhile. But I have to say that I did like Keira in it. But like you, Stevie, I'll be waiting for ATONEMENT on DVD.

Part Two - P&P - Tomorrow night! 8 o'clock........ PBS station........Be there, or be square....... Mr. Darcy,will you have a cup of tea,Sir? :naughty :naughty :cold shower 1 :faint