31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An overlooked jem---best version of Jane Eyre, August 25, 2000
Compared to the 40's version, this TV movie is very faithful to the book. George Scott is excellent for Rochester,and Miss York is just born to be Jane Eyre. She makes Jane a spirited, intelligent, independent young lady, which you can't found in Fontaine's performance. The music in the movie is so wonderful.It captures the essence of the story, exceptionally evocative and touching. I highly recommended this version to anyone who loved Charlotte Bronte's novel.It is well worth tracking down.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"I didn't mean to wound you like this...", April 29, 2005
In this lovely adaptation of "Jane Eyre", George C. Scott and Susannah York make an excellent pairing, and both have strong and attractive features without the "Hollywood handsome" look, which fits in well with the story. There is some powerful chemistry between them, and Scott just might be the best Edward Rochester on film; he followed his Oscar winning role as "Patton" with this British TV drama, which received theatrical release in Europe, but was only seen on the small screen in the US.
With tragedy upon tragedy, there is little joy and light to temper the plot, and even the love of Jane and Edward at its height is always overshadowed by the "mystery in the attic" of the dark and gloomy Thornfield castle. Of all the films in this genre, this is probably the saddest, but worth seeing for its often poetic language, and in the case of this production, the wonderful performances and fine direction by Delbert Mann. Supporting Scott and York in the cast are: Ian Bannen (St. John Rivers), Jack Hawkins (Mr. Brocklehurst), Nyree Dawn Porter (Blanche), and Jean Marsh as Mrs. Rochester.
The atmospheric score by John Williams is one of his best, and the cinematography by Paul Beeson, of marvelous landscapes in Yorkshire is beautiful (some of the locations include Dawnholme Church, Brimham Rocks, and Ripley Castle).
BUYER BEWARE: there are many versions of this film on the market, from cheap, grainy Extended Play VHS tapes to what I understand is a dreadful edit of it on DVD. Perhaps it is better to see it on the regular Standard Play VHS and steer clear of the rest; total running time is 110 minutes.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Good movie, horrible DVD!!, November 12, 2001
I have always enjoyed this version of Jane Eyre. George C. Scott is superb as Rochester, and while Susannah York is a bit old to be playing Jane she does a fine job. Great visuals, atmosphere and casting of other characters makes this one of the better versions.
This DVD, however is atrocious. The cover claims the film has been digitally remastered, yet we are presented with a washed-out picture filled with scratches. Far worse, ALMOST AN ENTIRE SCENE IS MISSING--the film jumps from the end of one scene to almost the end of another (cadeaux scene). And last, the cover uses a picture of Scott from an entirely different film (Murders in the Rue Morgue, I think).
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