Your online source for Jane Austen and her legacy
One of the consolations of being trapped inside during the cold, wet Pacific Northwest winter in the prospect of great television from Masterpiece Classic on PBS. Celebrating its 40th year on the air, the longest-running and most-honored drama series in primetime announced its new 2011 season this past week. There are some exciting new productions... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: The 1995 BBC/A&E miniseries of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as Jane Austen’s most famous couple, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, is renowned for its period accuracy, sumptuous costuming and stunning locations. Please welcome guest blogger Helen Wilkinson today as she takes us on... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Helen Wilkinson of P and P Tours: Actress Emma Thompson recalls her time filming Sense & Sensibility for the 1995 movie directed by Ang Lee, “The house representing Barton Cottage is one of the most beautiful spots we’ve ever seen. It took the curse off a six-day week.” The film location... Continue Reading →
There is a lot of pride and prejudice in the story of Small Island, the new Masterpiece Classic two-part adaptation of Andrea Levy’s award winning 2004 novel. Not the Jane Austen kind of pride and prejudice, but the kind experienced by millions of people whose countries were colonized by Great Britain during the 18th and... Continue Reading →
Guest blog by Helen Wilkinson of P&P Tours Longbourn – the private house found by the BBC for the ultimate adaptation of Pride & Prejudice in 1995 – has become one of the most famous houses in the world. BBC location manager Sam Breckman knew he had to find a house that could withstand a... Continue Reading →
The Masterpiece Classic 2010 season continued tonight with The 39 Steps staring British actor Rupert Penry-Jones (Persuasion 2007) in the classic role of Richard Hannay, a former British intelligence officer who is unjustly suspected of murder and must unravel a German espionage plot to save himself. Here is a brief introduction from PBS. Newly returned... Continue Reading →
Don’t miss the encore presentation of Persuasion (2007) on Masterpiece Classic PBS Sunday, February 21st 9:00 – 10:30 PM (check your local listings). This adaptation by screenwriter Simone Burke stars Sally Hawkins as Jane Austen’s steadfast and long suffering heroine Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry-Jones as the dashing naval hero Captain Wentworth. Persuasion was Jane... Continue Reading →
Don’t miss the encore presentation of Northanger Abbey (2007) on Masterpiece Classic PBS Sunday, February 14th 9:00 – 10:30 PM (check your local listings). This adaptation by screenwriter Andrew Davies stars Felicity Jones as Jane Austen’s idealistic and naïve heroine Catherine Moreland and JJ Feild as the charming and witty hero Henry Tilney. Northanger Abbey... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: Episode three of Emma (2009) aired tonight on Masterpiece Classic PBS. I am feeling more than a bit of melancholia setting in! Spoilers Ahead! Despite being a “troublesome creature” throughout most of the story, Emma does redeem herself by admitting her misconceptions and blunders. How could we not... Continue Reading →
Don’t miss the last episode of Emma 2009 staring Romola Garai on Masterpiece Classic PBS Sunday, February 7 from 9-10 PM. (check your local listing).
The second episode of the new adaptation Emma (2009) aired last night on Masterpiece Classic. You can read my review of Emma and watch previous episodes until March 9th, 2010 at the Masterpiece website. As we move further into the story of Highbury’s misapplying match maker, I thought it would be interesting to delve into her character in the novel a bit deeper and explore the different Emma’s portrayed in the film and television adaptations.
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Sage advice from the philosophizing Forrest Gump. The same can be said of Jane Austen adaptations. Last nights US premiere of screenwriter Sandy Welch’s newly retooled Emma on Masterpiece Classic had its mix of nuts, chews and soft centers. Most viewers will be tempted to consume it quickly like the beautifully crafted confection that it is. I prefer to take a small bite first to see what I’m getting.
