Comments on: Mansfield Park (2007) Movie: Musings & Discussion: Day 13 Give-away!

By: Mansfield Park 2007 « Factual Imagining

Mansfield Park 2007 « Factual Imagining — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:37:21 +0000

[...] out Laurel Ann’s review at AustenProse and Vic’s review at Jane Austen’s [...]

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:36:19 +0000

Having seen the 1999 verison of Mansfield Park and the BBC version from 1986, I waited with great anticipation for this to premier on Masterpiece Classics. I watched it with disappointment.
While I’m sure Billie Piper is a fine actress, her portrayal of Fanny was far to casual. Granted, not entirely her fault, she was given a script and direction. I think, however, the one thing that annoyed me the most during the film was her hair. Living as and where she was, even though not born to the Bertram status, she would have been expected to dress and look accordingly but that was just my pet peeve.

By: Erin

Erin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:11:16 +0000

I tried to get this version on Netflix and they sent me the Johnny Lee Miller version in the Billie Piper sleeve. Which would be fine and all but I already own it. I was very annoyed. Here’s to hoping I’ll just win a copy from you!

By: Laurel Ann

Laurel Ann — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:32:46 +0000

Hello Mansfield Park Madness participants day 13

The opinions on this adaptation are as varried as the script. Need I say more?

Hope you al enjoy it.

Cheers, Laurel Ann

P.S. Yes Laura, Blake Ritson *sigh*!

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:18:10 +0000

Oh, I have MANY views on this movie. Firstly: Blake Ritson…*sigh* <3
Secondly: Mr. Rushworth, Maria and Mary played their parts VERY well, and I thought Edmund was played quiite well.
Thirdly: The “purple” scene was one of my favourites. My take on it:
“Fanny: purple.
Edmunds eyes go wide. *GASP!!!!!* I LOVE FANNY!
and the rest is history”
hehe.

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:14:16 +0000

Not a huge fan of this adaptation, though I will admit to liking Lady Bertram despite her personality change more than I would have liked one who was more faithful to the narrative.

By: Marsha

Marsha — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:06:15 +0000

I missed this one when it was on tv earlier this year. I’ll have to hold off judgment until I can view this version.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:51:35 +0000

Isn’t it ironic that the giveaway is a film most of us don’t like? I haven’t rewatched this since it first aired, but remember being disappointed for many of the reasons others mentioned: The inexplicable changes in Fanny’s character and leaving out Portsmouth. That being said, I video taped it when it aired and will likely watch again and afterwards will go immediately reread the book!

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:40:17 +0000

I’ve held off seeing this film version until I’ve read the book again. Planning both activities for some of the cold weeks of winter!

By: Kristin

Kristin — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:34:47 +0000

I haven’t watched this adaptation yet, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to watch Billie Piper without expecting to see Dr. Who somewhere.

By: Kira

Kira — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:46:19 +0000

This is my least favourite of the Mansfield Park adaptations. It doesn’t work as an adaptation, but it also doesn’t work as a movie. The Fanny of this adaptation (who is in no way the Fanny of the book) does not seem believable. She’s more of a cindarella type of person, and I find it unbelievable that this Fanny would ever be in love with Edmund, especially when he starts dumping her for Mary. In the least this Fanny would fight for her man or more likely not fall for him in the first place. She’s the kind of girl I se falling for Henry or even Tom…

By: Colleen

Colleen — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:34:05 +0000

I’m curious about this movie; I haven’t seen it. I’ll have to check when it will be on PBS next. From the pictures I agree with what others have said about Fanny not really looking like Fanny. Edmund does look kind of cute. I also love the actor who plays Sir Thomas; he is Lydgate in the BBC Middlemarch.

By: Fatima

Fatima — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:16:15 +0000

Overall, I liked it version. While Fanny’s character wasn’t portrayed well enough, I enjoyed watching the movie.

By: Luthien84

Luthien84 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:50:46 +0000

I find this adaptation ok and amusing to watch. I agree with Karen and Dina that Billie Piper does not fit Fanny Price from the book. Mary Crawford and Maria Bertram played their parts very well.

By: Dae

Dae — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:14:38 +0000

I was very, very disappointed with this adaptation, though I wholeheartedly agree with one of your points: Mr. Rushworth was delightful!

Fanny’s character was weak, something which she is most decidedly not. For example, this film adaptation had her ready to be a part of the play! She had been pushed and prodded by the others to the point where we actually see her onstage, script in hand – something that never happened in the book. Fanny’s character is not characterized by development. Jane Austen never meant for her to evolve, but to be a steadfast heroine. As Edmund says when he at last confronts Mary Crawford, Fanny’s inner guide is infallible.

Admittedly, the film’s weak Fanny is the fault of the script. I could not believe that the film actually completely omitted the Portsmouth scene, which is so integral to Fanny’s eventual acceptance of Mansfield Park. The film never allows us to see Fanny’s inner struggle! We never get to see how she at first feels out of place in Mansfield Park, thinking herself a step below the company. We also never get to see how she thinks that, by returning to Portsmouth, she will feel more at home, around those whose societal stature is closer to hers. Yet at Portsmouth, Fanny cannot feel at home. Mansfield Park has changed her. She is now hopelessly delicate, aristocratic, and genteel, unable to live in an environment so noisy, crowded, and unclean. Instead of giving us this illuminating glimpse into Fanny’s character, the film simply leaves her at Mansfield. Ugh!

On the whole, I completely agree with you. This Fanny = Kitty Bennet. One can only hope that the next MP adaptation will be more faithful to the book.

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:45:38 +0000

I agree that the movie was far too different from the book. However, I thought that the Bertram sisters were played very well.

By: cheryl

cheryl — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:59:21 +0000

I agree about the girl not looking exactly how I pictured Fanny but I have high hopes for the movie. I have heard good things. I have yet to see it. I did see the other one from a few years back and I did not enjoy it as much.

By: Dina

Dina — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:36:06 +0000

Just from looking at the pics above, I agree with Karen, Billy Piper looks loke she doesn’t fit as Fanny. But I would watch it and like the other version, it would be entertaining.

By: Karen in Maryland

Karen in Maryland — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:59:21 +0000

All in all it was a decent adaptation. I enjoyed Blake’s proformance, but I find something about Billie Piper just wrong. I think it was the style they had her hair in. She just seems too modern for the part.