Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Stars:William Hurt, Charlotte Gainsbourg
This version of Jane Eyre benefits from the artistic sense of director Franco Zeffirelli, but it shows the financial restraints limiting the production. It is an abridged version in which many critical events are either summarily shown or are omitted. However, It is fairly well organized and well acted.
Jane Eyre is a great love story of a couple who meet and feel an immediate attraction for each other. However this attraction evokes conflict in each. This conflict is resolved by suppressing (concealing) their love for one another. Jane's suppression is passive, but Rochester's initial suppression is to treat Jane somewhat coldly, as a master to his servant.
However, subtle indications are shown in their relationship where mutual love is hinted - Jane shows jealousy of Rochester's female friend and devoted service to his wishes, while Rochester shows his captivation with Jane's independent and intelligent opinions, her devotion to her moral principles, and her lack of greed and selfishness.
However the love grows but remains concealed, again because each is in conflict over loving the other. Jane is in conflict because she realizes she is just a "plain Jane" - a mere servant (although born into a good family), and below the social status of Rochester who would be a prize catch for any lady of high social standing. Rochester is in conflict, not because of Jane's servant status, which is irrelevant to him, but because of his concealed secret that he must never reveal. So each falls deeper in love while fighting hard to mask any display of their love for one another.
Simmering conflicts eventually boil over in seeking resolution. This occurs as the turning point in their relationship.
The climatic end is the movie's resolution.
Some versions handle some of the above key elements better than other versions, but most are lacking to some degree in portraying most of these elements.
Hurt's Rochester is well performed as is Gainsbourg's adult Jane, as are supporting performances. The scene depicting the turning point is well done in this version, but other critical events are perfunctory, summarily done, or are omitted.
The film is organized but too choppy, as scenes switch quickly instead of being well developed.
I have seen all film versions since 1973 as well as the 1943 version.
I think that although all versions are very good, many are lacking in some respects. I like the longer versions best as they are more complete.
This one is well worth seeing. Please see my reviews of five other versions of Jane Eyre.
Stars:William Hurt, Charlotte Gainsbourg
This version of Jane Eyre benefits from the artistic sense of director Franco Zeffirelli, but it shows the financial restraints limiting the production. It is an abridged version in which many critical events are either summarily shown or are omitted. However, It is fairly well organized and well acted.
Jane Eyre is a great love story of a couple who meet and feel an immediate attraction for each other. However this attraction evokes conflict in each. This conflict is resolved by suppressing (concealing) their love for one another. Jane's suppression is passive, but Rochester's initial suppression is to treat Jane somewhat coldly, as a master to his servant.
However, subtle indications are shown in their relationship where mutual love is hinted - Jane shows jealousy of Rochester's female friend and devoted service to his wishes, while Rochester shows his captivation with Jane's independent and intelligent opinions, her devotion to her moral principles, and her lack of greed and selfishness.
However the love grows but remains concealed, again because each is in conflict over loving the other. Jane is in conflict because she realizes she is just a "plain Jane" - a mere servant (although born into a good family), and below the social status of Rochester who would be a prize catch for any lady of high social standing. Rochester is in conflict, not because of Jane's servant status, which is irrelevant to him, but because of his concealed secret that he must never reveal. So each falls deeper in love while fighting hard to mask any display of their love for one another.
Simmering conflicts eventually boil over in seeking resolution. This occurs as the turning point in their relationship.
The climatic end is the movie's resolution.
Some versions handle some of the above key elements better than other versions, but most are lacking to some degree in portraying most of these elements.
Hurt's Rochester is well performed as is Gainsbourg's adult Jane, as are supporting performances. The scene depicting the turning point is well done in this version, but other critical events are perfunctory, summarily done, or are omitted.
The film is organized but too choppy, as scenes switch quickly instead of being well developed.
I have seen all film versions since 1973 as well as the 1943 version.
I think that although all versions are very good, many are lacking in some respects. I like the longer versions best as they are more complete.
This one is well worth seeing. Please see my reviews of five other versions of Jane Eyre.