Customer Reviews

Emma Episode 1

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I've watched all of the screen adaptations of Jane Austen's Emma, and though my favorite is the version starring Romola Garai as Emma, this 1972 adaptation is the most faithful to the novel. Doran Godwin portrays meddlesome Emma Woodhouse, and I admit she is initially underwhelming in her role. There is a lack of vivacity that I've come to associate with Emma, but she is witty and over the course of this lengthy production (about 4.5 hours long), her character grew on me. The chemistry between Emma and Mr. Knightley which was quite apparent in the Gwyneth Paltrow and Garai versions is sadly lacking here, but some of the other characters are quite well done.

Debbie Bowen's Harriet Smith is one of my personal favorites, and I think the actress portraying Harriet really gets her character down to a tee. Fiona Walker is suitably loathsome as Mrs. Elton, and Donald Eccles is wonderful as the hypochondriac yet lovable Mr. Woodhouse. Don't let the dated production values put you off this adaptation, as true Janeites will love this faithful, almost-to-the letter adaptation.