15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jane Eyre on DVD, May 6, 2005
This review is from: Jane Eyre (BBC, 1983) / Middlemarch (DVD)
I purchased only the Jane Eyre DVD from this set. It's the same production with Timothy Dalton as the older 2-tape VHS edition that has been out for many years. Supposedly the DVD has some additional footage but I have not been able to detect it...certainly no additional scenes. Also, I did not expect the format to be episodes of a TV series, with frequent breaks. The VHS version is a continuous movie.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
true to the literary classic, May 20, 2011
This review is from: Jane Eyre (BBC, 1983) / Middlemarch (DVD)
I have seen every version of Jane eyre created. This by far is the most accurate of all the many versions put on film. Though some may dissagree. I think Timothy Dalton is fierce yet vulnerable and as another reveiwer put it perfectly. Yes he is good looking, yet craggy enough that he fits to perfection the part of "tortured" Mr Rochester. Yes there are faults with the mini series, the early 1980s lighting is a bit too sterile and bright,that is bleaches out many contrasts and drama to the landscape of the film. Mr Rochesters charge, Aldele whom Jane teaches has a very poor french accent, her very british accent is very evident as she speaks her brief lines in french. Aside from all those minor things, I do like the feeling and the trueness this film has to the book. It takes you in from the moment you start to finish. It really is wonderful.
Other Jane Eyre versions I like are the recent one done wirh Toby Stevens. Though it has a more contemporary take on the story of Jane. It really is very refreshing to view. I also like the 1944 Orson Wells version for its gothic victorian film Noire style. The most recent version is fairly nice too, but The actor who plays Rochester is too wooden for my taste. It is well worth a watch too however.
To conlude. Yes do purchse this the 1983 version of JaneEyre with Tomothey Dalton. You will not be dissapointed.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Jane Eyre > Middlemarch, January 19, 2010
This review is from: Jane Eyre (BBC, 1983) / Middlemarch (DVD)
1.
Jane Eyre (1983) Individual rating: 5 stars
This BBC version of Jane Eyre starring Timothy Dalton is the best version I have seen. Compared with the Miramax 1996 version, 1997 A&E version, or 2006 Masterpiece adaptation, this 1983 adaptation is considerably better. [However, Jayston's characterization of Rochester in the 1973 adaptation is more accurate to Charlotte Bronte's intent.]
What I liked about the BBC 1983 version is that I can picture the characters in their respective roles. For example, Timothy Dalton is everything I imagined Edward Fairfax Rochester as being - smart, sarcastic, cynical, etc (even if he is too handsome). In addition, Zelah Clarke plays Jane Eyre very well. She brings a serious tone to Jane's character. Some television editions of Jane Eyre 'tick me off' by having an older teenager girl (who has no maturity) play this important role. The acting does not convince me and ruins the film.
Finally, this film appeals to me because it takes much of the dialogue straight from the book. Certainly, there are a few minor scenes from the book that are left out or slightly compressed. However, for the most part, this film is perfectly loyal to the novel. In fact, I probably shouldn't say, but this film is so accurate that you could probably pass a reading comprehension test on the novel "Jane Eyre" simply by watching this film one or two times and taking notes.
I also recommend the 1973 BBC "Jane Eyre" adaptation. (In fact, I think the 1973 adaptation has the better characterization, although a slightly less-faithful plot in areas that do not much matter such as when Jane is roaming the countrside after fleeing Thornfield Hall.)
2.
Middlemarch Individual rating: 3.5 stars
Having watched "Bleak House" (2005) and "Pride and Prejudice" (1996) both scripted by Andrew Davies, I was hoping this adaptation of "Middlemarch" would be excellent. I was slightly disappointed. I do not think the film is truly aweful, but I do believe it could have been more interesting. "Middlemarch" is a long and complicated novel, and I feel Davies could have done a better job with the script.
I only viewed "Middlemarch" once a few years ago. (I purchased it as part of the George Eliot BBC collection.) Therefore, I do not remember everything I felt could have been improved. I think the biggest problem I had was Davies perspective since it creates the reality for the viewer. I felt his perspective was not quite emotional enough, even considering how melancholic certain parts of the Eliot's length novel are.
Furthermore, at 375 minutes, I do not believe justice was done to the entire cast of characters. Some characters really lacked sufficient development.
Personally, unless you are an Eliot afficiando, I would just wait until the BBC creates another "Middlemarch" adaptation. Hopefully, the adaptation will be more like "Bleak House" (2005) at least in terms of character development.
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