Product Details

• Actors: Kate Beckinsale, Bernard Hepton, Mark Strong (II), Samantha Bond, James Hazeldine
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• DVD Release Date: October 26, 1999
• Run Time: 107 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (201 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0767020308
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,726 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Emma" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Similar to the equally excellent Valmont, this version of Jane Austen's classic novel had the misfortune of following a sumptuous big-star version with Gwyneth Paltrow, which was released the summer before. And, just as 1989's Valmont suffered comparisons with Dangerous Liaisons, inevitably these Emmas were held up next to one another.

This delicious Emma concerns a young woman of financial substance (Kate Beckinsale), who fancies herself a matchmaker, especially with shy Miss Harriet Smith (Samantha Morton, who also appears in A&E's Jane Eyre). In Emma's swirling world of social activity and social consciousness, one's position and stature is a constant preoccupation. But to her credit, Emma, albeit a busybody, has compassion for all classes, and for her kindly but hypochondriacal father (Bernard Hepton).

This miniseries is more subtle than the grand theatrical release, is truer to the novel, and gives a richer explanation of the relationship between Emma associates Jane Fairfax (beautiful Olivia Williams of Rushmore) and the duplicitous Frank Churchill (Raymond Coulthard). Of course, at the center, as in all Austen stories, is the romance between the unsuspecting leading lady and an unlikely, but wholly suitable gentleman. In this case, it's Emma and her brother-in-law, the righteous (as played here) Mr. Knightley (Mark Strong). Strong's Mr. Knightley is more reserved, less coy than Jeremy Northam's; he plays Knightley more like Mr. Darcy (the leading man in Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which A&E also offers in a wonderful miniseries). Beckinsale proves to be utterly delightful and in no way should this excellent adaptation be ignored. --N.F. Mendoza

Product Description

From the producers of A&E's Emmy award winning Pride and Prejudice.

From the greatest romantic novelist of all time comes a delightfully wicked comedy of love and matchmaking. Jane Austen's sly and vivacious heroines have enchanted readers for more than 200 years. Now, for the first time on DVD, this acclaimed production from the creators of A&E's best selling Pride and Prejudice brings to life one of the most fascinating Austen characters of all time - the charming and mischievous Emma Woodhouse.

Starring Kate Beckinsale, Emma is the story of a rich, clever and beautiful young woman who can't resist orchestrating other people's love lives. As her romantic plans go ridiculously wrong, however, it's Emma herself who risks missing out on her perfect match!

Join A&E for a wry visit to the drawing rooms and country manors of 19th-century England - a visit to the enchanting world of Jane Austen's Emma now in the crystal clear digital clarity of DVD.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

202 of 214 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Emma Ever!!, August 1, 2002

By 

"bear283" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emma (DVD)

This version is true to the book and the acting is superb. The novel's complexities are brought out by the actors in subtle ways. Kate Beckinsale was the perfect choice for Emma because she played her duel layers so wonderfully. Beckinsale played Emma's intelligence against her lack of knowledge of the world, without being dumb. She showed that Emma thought she was superior and had to learn that someone's rank in society does not make them a better person. Mark Strong is great as Mr. Knightley. He plays it serious and heartfelt. Strong brought out Knightley's strong beliefs and feelings with grace. Everyone else was also cast perfectly. The story was very loyal to the novel. Emma is funny, but really a serious novel about women's place in society. This version showed all these conplexities with ease and grace. It was beautifully shot and directed. This is truly an adaptation to be proud of and lots of fun to watch over and over. Emma is my second favorite Austen novel on behind Persuasion. I am glad Austen's less popular works had such great adaptations. Emma got the right treatment here concidering it was Austen's longest novel... I am happy to say that enough people liked it to make this great adaptation of her work.

54 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughts on Emma, April 3, 2003

By 

babydoh - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emma (DVD)

This is a production which is enjoyable to watch if not entirely memorable after the fact. I personally think Kate Beckinsale makes the perfect Emma. (I find it hard to imagine Gwyneth Paltrow in the same role, but I'm curious to see that production as well.) Raymond Coulthard is also perfectly cast as Frank Churchill, the quintessential Jane Austen deceptive young cad (and I mean that as a compliment!). Mr Knightley, the eventual romantic interest for Emma, is played by Mark Strong, who does a very good job in the role although I must admit I had trouble seeing him as a romantic lead. Samantha Morton is very appealing as Emma's shy friend, Harriet.

All in all, I give this production four stars. Although it is nowhere near as compelling as the Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth, or the Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson, it's still a well done film adaptation of a Jane Austen book - and that's not easy. :)

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy the film(s) - whether you have read the book or not, March 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Emma [VHS] (VHS Tape)

How interesting to have two films based on the same novel be released within months of each other! "Emma" is considered by many to be Jane Austen's finest work and has a level of complexity that is more suited to a mini-series than a mere movie of two or three hours. I don't know how the screenwriters and directors decided on what to keep, what to cut, and what to re-work, but the two film versions are different enough that I didn't mind seeing them both. I do, however, greatly prefer the one with Kate Bickensale as the title character, which was originally aired on the cable channel A&E. It is a more faithful adaptation of the novel and has a more structured and cohesive storyline. Bickensale's interpretation of Emma has been criticized for being "too dark," but I believe her Emma is a more accurate portrayal of the novel's heroine than Gwyneth Paltrow's is in the other "Emma." In fact, all the characters (e.g., Jane Fairfax, Frank Churchill)in this version are handle with more care and detail, and that is enough to make this "Emma" a more satisfying experience for me.