Product Details

• Actors: Irene Richard, Tracey Childs, Annie Leon, Robert Swann, Donald Douglas
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 2
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• VHS Release Date: October 17, 1995
• Run Time: 174 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300249816
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,516 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Don't look for Margaret Dashwood in this BBC version of Sense and Sensibility, because you won't find her. For some inexplicable reason, they opted to write her out of this 1985 adaptation of Jane Austen's first published novel. Still, despite the absence of the youngest Dashwood sister, this is an otherwise faithful adaptation of Austen's original. Sense and Sensibility concerns the unfortunate Dashwood family, who, at the death of the patriarch, are forced to move out of their home and into a cottage on the property of relatives. Sensible Elinor falls quietly in love with Edward, her sister-in-law's brother, while impetuous Marianne (Tracey Childs) rejects the respectable courtship of Colonel Brandon (Robert Swann) for the flashy (and ultimately destructive) Willoughby (Peter Woodward).

Those wowed by Emma Thompson's more sumptuous 1995 version may complain that Bosco Hogan (yes, that's his real name) isn't nearly as yummy as Hugh Grant. But they may fail to remember that Edward Ferrars, was, from Jane Austen's plume, a nondescript guy, and yet Elinor (here, Irene Richards) still found something wonderful about him.

Childs is a beautiful, passionate Marianne and her performance, as well as Richards's, and the rest of the cast, is topnotch. Accurate detail is given to settings and costumes (if not the existence of Margaret) and it's easy to get swept away in this BBC version. --N.F. Mendoza

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming, entertaining journey back in time, July 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sense & Sensibility [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Having seen the praised American version of this novel I was delighted (especially by Emma Thompson ). Sometimes I had a feeling of too much drama in that film. But I had not read this novel for some years, so I did not know why.

I read the novel again and realized that film was the American way of showing Jane Austen and her time: the men always riding (like cowboys), an education full of freedom even for girls ( Margret and her hut in the tree ...), rain in every turning point or dramatic situation ....

The BBC adaption of this novel tells the story in a more careful, smooth way, true to the novel, few thrilling scenes, but more charming ones. There is time to look at the characters, to feel with them, to see Jane Austen's English humour in some scenes and her feeling for romance. Sometimes I think there are real people on the screen, not heroes. That is one more reason for liking this film as much as the big American movie, or even better. If you want to see Jane Austen brought to life for young people today who need exaggerated feelings to be able to feel and action to find a film worth watching, then switch on the Emma-Thompson-version. If you want to travel back in time and do not want to be rushed into new situations, then watch the BBC production. It is entertaining, touching and teaching in a smooth way. It is holiday for your brain and nerves.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars most faithful and thorough production!, June 22, 2000

By 

James R Whitcomb (Portland OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sense & Sensibility [VHS] (VHS Tape)

despite the unfortunate removal of Margaret this movie is extremely well acted, and develops more the humor of Marianne's sensibilities as oppose to romanticizing them. Which is what Jane Austen wished to develop. Two most important parts of the plot are here, as opposed to Emma Thompson's disappointing removal of the scenes where Edward visits the Dashwoods for a week and where Willoughby attempts to see Marianne in the middle of the night. I loves those parts so very much, and my heart sank upon realizing that wasn't to occurr in the Thompson version.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent !, June 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Sense & Sensibility [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I rented this version from my local library and really enjoyed it. Although I liked the movie with Emma Thompson, this version is much more thorough in its adaptation. No Hollywood fluff. The actors were superb and true to the characters in the book.