Customer Reviews

Jane Eyre (BBC, 1983) / Middlemarch

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

In describing my thoughts and feelings for the movies Jane Eyre and Middlemarch, it's like telling someone of an old friend. I love to watch these movies over and over again, just to get the raw education and great historical lessons from the land of my ancestry. In Jane Eyre, you have Mr. Rodchester slinging out so many ten dollar words that are not so commonly used in our American discourse, that you feel like you've just been to college and your among the elite in society. You also have the typical themes of the Rich verses Poor, and unprincipaled verses the godly and chaste. But what I like most about Jane Eyre beside the education, was how that one line spoken by Mr. Rodchester seemed to sum up what happened, and what would eventually turn to his good. He said: "fate has out maneuvered me or providence checked me" and to that the minister said Amen! Mr. Rodchester's fate of trying to force a marriage with a godly sweet angel before it's time, was rewarded at the end of the show by the Providence of God. God allowed him to be judged by fire, but then answered his hopes and prayers by letting the whisp of his anguish travel over the air, hundreds of miles to the awaiting ears of his true love. And with Jane about to enter into a marriage with a steely cleric with no heart of love for her, she received the message on the wind from God and from Mr. Rodchester just in the nick of time, and she fled to her fulfillment. I highly recommend Jane Eyre for viewing over and over again, it's an education and a heart throbbing love story all wrapped up into one. Now as far as the history lesson of MiddleMarch is concerned, time and space will not allow enough to be said about this show. It was not your typical English film, this is a series of many plots and sub plots, which show the true nature and character of a growing nation. A snippet out of time, a viewing of the developing countryside society of England's heart land. Once again though, the English protray the villian as a clergyman, and the so called good clergyman, was a pool playing, card playing, pub attendee. But the other plots of love and of riches carries well, and one wishes that Dr. Lidgate would have married Dorothea. This film has many of your favorite English actors in it, and is the kind of movie that you have spend a lot of time with and engross yourself in, to really enjoy......When we want to watch an old favorite, MiddleMarch is right up there with Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Sense and Sensibility. You'll be enriched and educated if you spend time with both of these films. We loved them!