Favorite Jane Austen related films and miniseries

A very hard choice, but I feel I must admit that I enjoyed this film more than the 1995 miniseries. Keira Knightley is my favorite Lizzie (however a tad too pretty for the role and not as witty) and I love Matthew Macfadyen's sad puppy-dog eyes (even though Firth is my favorite Darcy)! It's hard to say anymore because I'm slightly inclined to like films more anyway.

I loved "Persuasion" (1818) from the first page and loved this television movie from the the first minute. An impeccable film that captures all the love and soul from the novel with a great cast (especially the leads, Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds, they say so much without even talking just like in the novel). Of course, this is the de facto best version of "Persuasion".

I had a hard time picking which "Sense and Sensibility" adaptation I enjoyed the most, this one or the 2008 series (both are very good). My biggest complaint was that we didn't see much of Willoughby, whose storyline was not worked out in this film to my satisfaction. Overall, this version has one of the best-looking cast of any Austen adaptation, Emma Thompson (Elinor), Kate Winslet (Marianne), Alan Rickman (Col Brandon), Hugh Grant (Edward), etc.

Oh Colin Firth, by far my favorite Darcy, hard to resist. Although one of the best "Pride and Prejudice" adaptations, I would recommend this more to those who have read the book because of the runtime, and obviously they'll appreciate how much of the book it covers. Not really anything big to complain about this adaptation.

As I said before, I had a hard time picking which "Sense and Sensibility" adaptation I enjoyed the most. This two-episode miniseries covers the novel a bit better, because of the extended runtime, thus giving a more complete look at the story (and Dominic Cooper is so hot as Willoughby!). Also, I've heard complaints about this version being too racy, but there wasn't much and I thought it was all tasteful and not vulgar.

Two adaptations of "Emma" in the same year!, so of course these two will always be compared. This television film I felt captured the soul of the novel more, also taking a darker view of some things and didn't make Emma look like a fairytale princess. Kate Beckinsale played a superb Emma, possibly my favorite (her imagination sequences were very clever!), and Mark Strong's take on Knightley's emotions were very entertaining.

A film based on a biography of Jane Austen that hints at a romantic relationship between Austen (played by Anne Hathaway) and Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy). Most of the events of the movie probably didn't happen, though still fun to watch. However, I may never understand why they would pick such a sad topic to make a movie of. "How depressing!" was my last thought at the end of the film.

Oh Gwyneth Paltrow, though I don't like you, I must admit you played a wonderful, ethereal Emma. This film like "Sense and Sensibility (1995) features a star-studded cast, including Alan Cumming (Elton), Toni Collette (Harriet), Ewan McGregor (Frank), and Jeremy Northam (definitely the hottest Knightley). The greatest merit of the movie is just how beautiful it is to look at.

A very well-made film based on "Mansfield Park" (and somewhat on Jane Austen's life), though I must confess I wasn't completely satisfied with it. Frances O'Connor fits my idea of Fanny, despite not making her weak or sickly like in the novel. It was also racier than the novel and made Sir Thomas look like a devil and Tom like a saint. (I also kinda felt bad for Henry! and who feels bad for Henry normally!)

Perhaps the best of the old miniseries from BBC. The series is entertaining and covers the nearly all of the book. The only faults I found were that Doran Godwin (Emma) and John Carson (George) seemed a bit old for the part (though this is easily overlooked) and that Debbie Bowen (Harriet) and Ania Marson (Jane) were lackluster.

Starring, Irene Richards (who played Charlotte Lucas in the 1980 P&P!) and Tracey Childs, who perfectly fit their roles as Elinor and Marianne. Although, neither Edward nor Colonel Brandon are as handsome as Hugh Grant or Alan Rickman, but they play their roles well anyway. This miniseries pairs well with the 1980 P&P, both have wonderful dialogue and acting, but suffer from low production values.

Another adaptation of Emma, how can I resist! The miniseries expands the story by showing scenes only talked about in the novel, such as Emma, Jane, and Frank as children, played by Romola Garai, Laura Pyper, and Rupert Evans as adults. Other such scenes include Knightley (Johnny Lee Miller) giving advice to Robert Martin. This was an interesting way to distinguish itself from the other versions, very entertaining.

A nearly perfect adaptation that takes very few liberties with the plot. My favorite scene was Elizabeth (played by Elizabeth Garvie) reading Darcy's (David Rintoul) letter as the camera pans to show him walk far into the distance (the two actors also had good chemistry together). The only problem I had with this version was that it seemed a bit too long at times.

Despite feeling extremely dated at times, I really loved the version of "Persuasion". This miniseries follows the novel faithfully, taking very few liberties. Though I must admit I found Ann Fairbank's (Anne Elliot) hair distracting!

Something about "Pride and Prejudice" adaptations, I just never get tired of them. In this modern retelling, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennet starts a video blog with her best friend, Charlotte Lu. The story is told in one hundred videos (not counting the various spin-offs), and focuses more on the female friendships of the novel. My only complaint is that the "vlog" format has it's limitations, Darcy doesn't appear until episode 59 (worth it though)! This series can be viewed in it's entirety on YouTube.

Amy Heckerling's popular ode to 90s youth was adapted from "Emma" (1815), and starred Alicia Silverstone as Cher (Emma) and Paul Rudd as Josh (Knightley). The film manages to follow remarkably close to the plot of the novel. It stands well on its own (perhaps that's why few know about it being based on "Emma"), and has become a cult film, undoubtedly to be enjoyed for many generations.

2019 edit: I remember this much more fondly than the 1986 version (see below). Felicity Jones as Catherine was very enjoyable. I look forward to watching this one again.

A modern re-telling of "Sense and Sensibilty" (1811), which follows two rich, Latina sisters, Nora (Camilla Belle) and Mary (Alexa Vega), who lose everything when their father passes. Perhaps not approaching greatness, this film is highly enjoyable and worth a watch.

Every bit as depressing as "Becoming Jane", this television film features an older Austen in her last years of life. The movie is based on Austen's letters to her sister and niece, though a lot of it is probably guess work. My only problem with the film is how it fails to leave off with a silver lining or hope.

2019 edit: this film is based on "Lady Susan" though it takes its name from another Austen work (why? what's the point?). I enjoyed the film much more than the book as I dislike the epistolary style, especially in letters. Kate Beckinsale was wonderfully funny.

A Tamil (Kollywood) film starring the gorgeous Tabu as Sowmya (aka Elinor) and Aishwarya Rai as Meenakshi (Marianne). The film is superbly adapted from "Sense and Sensibility", setting the story in modern-day India.

Based on Shannon Hale's novel of the same name, which I highly recommend to Austen fans. The film follows Jane (Keri Russell), a thirtysomething woman obsessed with Colin Firth's Darcy, who goes to stay at an Austen retreat. I thought the movie enjoyable (mostly because I love rom-coms), but also disappointing as it fails to capture any of the mystery or emotion of the original novel.

A more complete and faithful rendition of "Mansfield Park". This miniseries follows the book well enough, keeping many details that the 1999 film left out. It's only fault is that it feels a bit too long at times.

This TV movie was enjoyable, but fails to achieve any of the brilliance that the 1995 film does. Sally Hawkins plays Anne well enough, but it's hard to picture Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Wentworth. I feel that an online review I read describes this film perfectly, "Almost Persuaded".

A Bollywood inspired musical of "Pride and Prejudice" (1813), which stars Aishwarya Rai as Lalita (Lizzie). This version is thoroughly enjoyable for Bollywood fans, though non-fans might not be able to appreciate it. The film also took an interesting but brief look at Wickham (especially loved his last line!).

Based on a novel that was inspired by "Pride and Prejudice", particularly the 1995 miniseries. Firth returns as a modern-day Darcy, while Renée Zellweger plays an average, overweight woman looking for happiness. The film is very unAustenlike, but still a brilliant and completely original romantic-comedy.

A very Hollywood version of the story, which takes many liberties with the plot. The chemistry between the stars, Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, is the one thing that makes this worth a watch. The ending is wrapped up too neatly for my tastes.

Billie Piper, despite the womanly looks, plays a naive and robust Fanny, meaning complete opposite from the novel. This version doesn't achieve any of the intensity of the 1999 film, but as there are so few "Mansfield Park" adaptations I liked comparing the two.

2019 edit: Hmmm... I don't really remember much of this film so maybe that's enough to say. Only one word comes to mind: ridiculous.

A bollywood film based on Jane Austen's "Emma" and stars Sonam Kapoor as "Aisha". The movie sets the characters and events in modern India, similar to "Clueless". I have failed so far in trying to find this so a recommend reading this review, https://accessbollywood.net/2010/08/08/movie-review-aisha-2010/.

A horrible movie reportedly inspired by "Sense and Sensibility". The heroines (real life sisters, Haylie and Hilary Duff) are unlikable as are their barely developed love interests. I honestly have a hard time believing S&S inspired this.