Jane Austen Movie Adaptations

 

In honor of the release of Lilibet Lynn and the Austen Cipher, Lilibet and I have assembled a list of our Jane Austen movie recommendations, in the order we suggest for new viewers.

Lilibet Says: Hi everyone! My name is Lilibet Lynn, and I'm guest blogging today to tell you all about the BEST Jane Austen films and which order you should watch them in. Of course, the books are awesome, but if you're twelve, like me, you might appreciate watching some of the movies first! 

Elizabeth Amy Hajek (EAH) Says: Welcome to the controversial and opinionated world of Jane Austen movie adaptations! Everyone has a favorite, everyone has one they hate, and everyone's right and everyone's wrong. But for those of us who love Jane, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to cinematic representations of her world. In honor of the release of Lilibet's adventure to the home of young Jane in Steventon, England, I'm officially releasing my own personal list of favorite recommendations. 

Long term, this list is intended as a jumping off point for new Austen fans, particularly those younger ones who came upon this page after reading about Lilibet's adventure with Jane (Hi!). However, older fans who are anything like me will likely also enjoy peeking at another Janeite's perspective, even though they'll almost certainly disagree with 50% of it, at least! 

Because I am sensitive to my fans who come from a more restrictive background and since many Lilibet fans are just hitting double digit ages...Jane Austen's works deal with the consequences of bad choices. This includes scandals such as unwed pregnancy and that nature. Austen films tend to allude to such matters without showing or being overly explicit with the details. I'll note any adaptations that I can recall going beyond. 

So, buckle up, rev up your streaming service or grab your library card, and let's head off to Regency England!

Lilibet Says: Via television, that is, right? Unless you've got a chronifact, that you're not telling me about?

EAH Says: No, I don't, unfortunately. But SHH! Spoilers!

Lilibet Says: My lips are sealed. Okay, let's dive into the movies!

Begin With: Pride and Prejudice 2005

Lilibet Says: This is the first Jane Austen film my mom introduced me to, and I love it! Even my brother Ben and little sister Viola enjoyed it! It is funny and beautiful and I love Elizabeth and Darcy! And, after my own adventure, I will never look at those dresses the same way EVER again! 

EAH Says: The beautiful style, clear plotline, and dynamic characters make this THE starter film for Austen newbies. I personally have watched this film turn Jane "pooh-poohers" into fans over and over. It is the most accessible to modern audiences, while retaining a strong sense of time and place.

 As I mention in "Austen Cipher," the film is actually transposed in time. Although the novel was published in 1813, it was originally written in 1796. Director Joe Wright preferred this era of fashion and style, and chose to set his adaption at this time. This has resulted in many fans claiming that it is inaccurate. Another common critique is that the emotionality of the film is more in keeping with the style of the Bronte Sisters, rather than Jane Austen. Personally, I think it's more a melding of the two. No judgement on those with other preferences, it clearly resonated with a modern audience, and led to many viewers discovering an accessible entry into Austen. We could debate the adaptation of the book (although I'd rather not do so online), but as a film, it is a gorgeous masterpiece. Personally, I love Wright's choice to lean toward Darcy being tremendously shy and socially inhibited, rather than insufferably proud. I'm also a fan of Kiera Knightley, although I recognize that many many viewers of my generation find her annoying. I'm curious to see what the consensus is in another ten years' time.

(If you've read the novel already, and have some experience with older BBC/A&E miniseries, you or your family might prefer to follow the advice of Lilibet's grandma and start with the 1995 Pride and Prejudice instead. Scroll to the end of the list to see my thoughts on that one! Or, check out the comparison piece I wrote on some aspects of the two adaptations back in 2008.)

Next up, Sense and Sensibility, 2008

Lilibet Says: Margaret Dashwood is my favorite!!!  But Elinor is pretty cool too. She's really sensible--maybe too sensible? I wish she'd let Marianne keep the horse! Speaking of which... Marianne is the emotionally sensitive one and she doesn't always make great decisions, but Mr. Willoughby is REALLY dashing so I can't really blame her. They feel like real sisters. Their brother has some issues. He makes mine look like a saint! I don't know why they complain about their cottage though. Who wouldn't want to live in a charming cottage by the sea? 

EAH Says: This three-part mini-series came fast on the heels of the success of the 2005 P&P and adapted a few of the same styles. However, it was written by the same screenwriter who did the acclaimed 1995 P&P, leading to an adaptation that sticks fairly close to the blooks. Although it had the weight of a BBC scale budget, this was the point at which BBC productions began to achieve a higher level of quality, which allows this piece to hold up nicely.  It features a shockingly talented cast. Although mostly unknown at the time, many of the cast would go on to become world-known actors. Dan Stevens, Charity Wakefield, Hatti Morahan, Janet McTeer, Dominic Cooper, Lucy Boynton, David Morrissey, Mark Williams, Anna Madeley, and Mark Gatiss are some of the most talented actors to come out of Britain in the past two decades, and they bring this Austen adaptation to charming life! In fact, I only started watching Downton Abbey because I'd loved Dan Stevens so much in Sense and Sensibility! 

Caution Note: There was a weird choice to start the film with a sensual corset unlacing scene. Nothing graphic is shown, and it IS plot relevant, but it absolutely can be skipped, and some families may prefer to do so. The rest of the film is as clean as you'd expect any Austen film to be. 

You can also check out my full-length review of this version, written back in 2009)

Then find: Emma, 1995 (Gwenyth Paltrow)

Lilibet Says: I love how Emma always thinks she knows best, but things go hilariously wrong! She believes that she's a wise and talented matchmaker, but everyone just ends up falling in love with her. Or...do they? You'll have to watch to find out! Plus, it's definitely funny to see Pepper Potts flirt with a really young Obi-Wan Kenobi! Also, it's got archery. Emma and Mr. Knightley have nothing on my friend Rob from Nottingham, though.

EAH Says: One of the few American-made Austen films, this is also one of the most accessible to younger audiences. It was just about the first big budget Austen film, and features Gwenyth Paltrow at her height, and Jeremy Northam as the best Mr. Knightley. (One of the strongest Austen opinions I hold!).

Ironically, this same year saw the BBC do a version of Emma as well, staring Kate Beckninsale. It is difficult to track down, but worth seeing, if you're an Austen fan. I barely remember the 2009 Emma with Romola Garai, but thankfully I wrote a review of it back in 2010.

If you can, track down Northanger Abbey 2007

Lilibet Says: The first time I read Northanger Abbey, I thought it was funny, but I didn't really understand how funny. This film really brought the humor to life! Mom says that in this story, Jane was writing a parody of the dramatic gothic novels that were popular during her era. Now, I know young Jane loved dramatic gothics, but she was too sensible to think they would be very comfortable in real life!

EAH Says: Another lower budget BBC film, it's nonetheless quite funny and an early role for Felicity Jones. This Austen story is often overlooked, but I think it's a great beginning story for younger readers. Just fun and dramatic! (I wrote a post on this film back in 2008).

UPDATE: A mom reader of this blog wrote in to let me know that I missed noting in this segment that there are some aspects of this film that some families may not find appropriate for their younger teen viewers. I'd mentioned this in my review (linked above) but spaced on adding it into here. My sincere apologies, and my gratitude to the gracious alert! In her words (which I share with permission): The gothic imaginings were quite detailed and a bit scary for younger viewers and some of them (particularly the words quoted) were very suggestive. Also, there was a scene showing a compromise between two characters (Isabella and Captain Tilney) that was very clear what had happened.

Get your hands on Sense and Sensibility, 1995

Lilibet Says: I don't like Edward as much in this one. Margaret is still amazing, but what is Professor Snape doing in a romance? Well, I guess his character in this movie is also a tragic one...Mom says this actor played a really famous version of the Sheriff of Nottingham too. I'm not allowed to watch that movie yet, but I think the Austen/Sherwood connection is pretty cool!

EAH Says: Starring Emma Thomspon, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman, many Austen fans regard this as the best ever adaptation of Jane's work. The only reason I didn't include it higher on the list, is that I remember not connecting with it as a young teen, and I think the other version may be more accessible for new fans. However, it is a must watch for Austen fans and lovers of good cinema. You just have to accept that Elinor and Colonal Brandon are too old, and go with it. Emma Thompson wrote the script as well and did a fantastic job of adapting Jane's earliest, and least emotionally-fleshed-out novel. 

Segue over to Bollywood, for Bride and Prejudice 2004

Lilibet Says: My mind exploded when Dad showed me this version of Pride and Prejudice! I didn't know that you could take a classic story and set it in a totally different time and place. I was surprised to see that Modern India had a lot in common with Jane's England! And I LOVED the music and dancing! Dad skipped a couple parts, but not much. I had the songs stuck in my head for days! 

EAH Says: If you like music and color with your Jane, this is the film for you! Life, laughter and love sparkle in this gem, and it is one of my personal favorites among the Austen film oeuvre. However, it's rated PG-13 for some sexual references, so parents may want to preview this one first.. 

Now, back to the BBC, with Persuasion, 1995

Lilibet Says: Grandma tried to get me to watch this but...I gave up. I didn't really get it? Mom says I should read the book and then give it another try when I'm older.

EAH Says: Have you figured out yet that 1995 was the Year of Jane? Here's another one. Jane's last published novel, in a film adaptation featuring Ciaran Hind's as the hero. Persuasion is a book that often grows on Janeites, as it features the eldest heroine and new themes of sophistication and maturity that resonate further with as one ages. However, this makes the story a little less acceptable for younger readers, which is probably why Netflix took a radically different approach in 2022. (I haven't seen that version, and it's been heavily panned by fans so I'm not sure when/if I will.) This version is very low budget, but well-loved by fans.

Then, if you desire more Jane...check out Pride and Prejudice 1995

Lilibet Says: This is Grandma's favorite Jane Austen adaptation of all time. I don't like it quite as much as she does...but I really appreciate how close it stays to the book. Except the wet shirt scene. I don't understand what the big deal is about that, but Mom says it's VERY famous. And that's DEFINITELY not in the book. Also, Mr. Collins is super creepy and gross in this version, and I don't like watching him. Mr. Darcy is very nice. It's slower than the other version, but it keeps some of the lines I missed in that one. 

EAH Says: A host of you are going to be furious with me for putting this at the end of the list. For many, MANY Janeites (including Lilibet's Grandma), this is THE Austen adaptation. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth ARE Elizabeth and Darcy. When the six-part miniseries hit the airwaves in 1995, the accuracy of the script and the charm of Ehle and Firth absolutely captivated fans worldwide. 

The reason I put it so far down the list is that it is very, very dated. Unless you've grown up with a regular diet of 90's BBC miniseries, this one can be very inaccessible for many viewers. BUT, if you've watched a lot of those, and you've read the book already, you may want to start with this one. It's a very personal choice. 

While many of my peers grew up LOVING this adaptation, I could not aquire a version with subtitles until I was an adult. In the meantime, I'd fallen in love with the 2005 version, which is VERY different. Fans tend to love one or the other. I'd also met Colin Firth as a dad character in another film, and could NOT accept him as Darcy (with absolutely no disparagement to his tremendous acting skills). I'm an extraordinarily visual person as well (hey, deaf here), so the 2005 version just appeals to me more. However I do appreciate the strength of the script and Ehle's performance as Elizabeth. No Austen film experience would be complete without checking this one out at some point.

Bonus Round goes to Pride and Prejudice, 1940

Lilibet Says: I was so confused. It was kind of the story of Pride and Prejudice? But, like, if you like Pride and Prejudice and mashed it up with Gone with the Wind or something. Everyone's clothes and hair looked so wrong, and they changed so much! But I did laugh a LOT, so that's a plus.

EAH Says: A very early, black and white big screen adaptation that takes a ton of liberties with the story, including transposing the entire plot a few decades into the future. Elizabeth Bennet in poofy skirts? Oh boy. Nevertheless, if you like old films, I remember this being a fun one, and my first ever film introduction to P&P.

Now for a few warnings...

EAH Says: You'll notice one of Jane's titles is missing. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, there is no popular, accurate version of Mansfield Park. It is a deep novel, with a very tricky theme and heroine to transpose to screen. I'll note that I haven't seen the Billie Piper version, and that could require a revamp of this list if I get around to it someday. It also deals with some of Austen's heaviest and darkest themes and is not terribly accessible for younger readers. 

Lilibet Says: Yeah, Mom won't let me watch that. I tried reading the book and didn't understand it. But Dad says I'll appreciate it more when I get older.

EAH Says: The culturally aware may wonder about the recent adaptation of Austen's unfinished work, Sanditon. With three seasons and a strong fan following, it definitely achieved a level of popularity. I have seen it, and definitely think it's a well-done show, BUT it is very modern and deals with a lot of adult themes. Although I was glad to learn more about Austen's final writings, to the extent that I included some information about Sanditon in the Lilibet novel, it is not a show that I can see many families approving for younger teens, and I know many of my conservative readers would be better off skipping it altogether. The hero and heroine do fit Austen's mold, but the rest of the story and cast is going to be controversial, and I just don't do controversy here. 

Lilibet Says: I am NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS. Marie isn't either. We're thinking of finishing the story ourselves and turning it into a theatrical...of course, I can't tell her why I'm such an expert in home theater now, but I'm sure I'll come up with something...

For more fun with Lilibet and Jane Austen, check out "Lilibet Lynn and the Austen Cipher" by Elizabeth Amy Hajek, available in ebook and print on Amazon.