This adaptation comes with the low budget, stagey sets and frankly scary hair and makeup choices of other TV productions of the era.
It changes the focus of the novel, giving more attention to the Edward/Elinor story, which means that while we get to know and admire Edward, Brandon and Willoughby barely get a look in. Both are rather forgettable, although this version retains more of the conversation with Elinor at Cleveland than any version I've seen to date.
This version omits Margaret Dashwood, and only has brief glimpses of the Palmers, Robert Ferrars and Mrs Ferrars. This version ends with a joint engagement, Eliza is now Col Brandon's 18 year old niece, and Edward is robbed of his big moment, because he's cut off from his fortune by his mother before he can refuse to marry Lucy.
My main complaint with this adaptation is the portrayal of Marianne. I've always found the character unsympathetic, here she's played as if she's permanently hysterical. It is way over the top, and I was relieved when she fell ill, because she finally shut up for a while! There's also no sense that she's learned anything or changed as a result of her experiences either.
Edward and Elinor are excellently portrayed. Joanna David is lovely. Lucy Steele is excellent, too well spoken, but perfectly capturing the malice and spite of the character from the novel. Mrs Jennings is well played too. This portrayal is worth watching just for those performances.
It changes the focus of the novel, giving more attention to the Edward/Elinor story, which means that while we get to know and admire Edward, Brandon and Willoughby barely get a look in. Both are rather forgettable, although this version retains more of the conversation with Elinor at Cleveland than any version I've seen to date.
This version omits Margaret Dashwood, and only has brief glimpses of the Palmers, Robert Ferrars and Mrs Ferrars. This version ends with a joint engagement, Eliza is now Col Brandon's 18 year old niece, and Edward is robbed of his big moment, because he's cut off from his fortune by his mother before he can refuse to marry Lucy.
My main complaint with this adaptation is the portrayal of Marianne. I've always found the character unsympathetic, here she's played as if she's permanently hysterical. It is way over the top, and I was relieved when she fell ill, because she finally shut up for a while! There's also no sense that she's learned anything or changed as a result of her experiences either.
Edward and Elinor are excellently portrayed. Joanna David is lovely. Lucy Steele is excellent, too well spoken, but perfectly capturing the malice and spite of the character from the novel. Mrs Jennings is well played too. This portrayal is worth watching just for those performances.