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Bobbi's Favorite Literary Adaptations

 

The following is a brief summary and a few comments of my favorites. If you'd like to offer more insight comparing a movie to a book or two movies of the same novel, feel free to. I'll post relevant comment under each review. And if you have a movie that you'd like to recommend, let me know. In the meantime - tuck the kids in bed, curl up on the couch, and enjoy!

MY TOP THREE

Bleak House (2005, BBC)
Book/Author: Bleak House by Charles Dickens
Summary: The heart of the story is centered on three young orphans, two who are potential heirs to a family fortune that is tied up in a complicated and infamous legal battle known as Jarndyce and Jarndyce. The third orphan, Esther, is a friend and companion who is more involved on the case than she realizes. As can be expected in a Dicken's story there are numerous colorful and bizarre characters that accompany this tale of mystery and suspense. (For more details see the reviews at Amazon.com or visit Masterpiece Theater.)
Comments: We missed Bleak House when it was on Masterpiece Theater so we had to rent it on Netflix. After watching the first disc, I was so hooked I could not wait in line for the second disc. I bought my own copy and haven't regretted it one bit! You have to pay close attention to the plot and characters but if this type of movie is to your liking, I'm guarantee you will love BH!
You can purchase the DVD or BOOK.

 

Pride & Prejudice (1996, A&E)
Book/Author: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Summary: This six-part miniseries revolves around strong-willed but lovable Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle) and the proud and handsome Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) who has fallen in love with Elizabeth despite the fact that he considers her "beneath" him. Elizabeth despises Mr. Darcy's arrogance and swears she would never have anything to do with him. Well, you know what they say, "Never say never."
Comments: Pride and Prejudice (my personal favorite of Austen's novels) has become the benchmark of all the other literary movies I watch. I think they captured the persona of each character beautifully and I never tire of watching Lizzy and Mr. Darcy interact with one another. (Don't you just melt when they look at each other at the piano? Sigh.)
You can purchase the DVD or VIDEO and the BOOK.

 

Wives and Daughters (1999, BBC)
Book/Author: Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
Summary: This four-episode miniseries stars the sweet and kind hearted Molly Gibson (Justine Waddell). Her life is tuned upside down when her widower father remarries the well-meaning but pretentious and irritating Hyacinth (Francesca Annis). Hyacinth's beautiful and flirtatious daughter Cynthia (Keeley Hawes, also in Our Mutual Friend) becomes friends with Molly; although Molly must endure watching the man she loves fall for Cynthia.
Comments: I never thought I'd enjoy a movie as much as I enjoy Pride & Prejudice but Wives & Daughters proved me wrong. I fell in love with Molly and her kindness and even found a soft spot for the prone-to-be selfish and immature Cynthia. I thought Roger was a gem of a man (until he fell for Cynthia - but he later redeemed himself) and Osbourne's hidden secrets and relationship with his father brings me to tears every time I watch. This is a rare occasion - when I recommend watching the movie before reading the book for it is an unfinished novel. Gaskell died before she could finish the last chapter but there were enough of her notes for the producers of the movie to know how it was meant to end. If you haven't seen it, watch it…and bring some kleenex.
You can purchase the DVD or VIDEO and the BOOK.

 

THE REST IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Daniel Deronda (2002, BBC)
Book/Author: Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
Summary: George Eliot's last novel is set in the 1870's, and explores the world of Daniel Deronda (Hugh Dancy, also in Black Hawk Down) a sensitive, intelligent young man who is supposedly the illegitimate son of an aristocrat. He struggles with his own sense of identity as well as his growing attraction for two women in need - the vivacious but self-absorbed Gwendolen (Romola Garai) who is married to a cruel and love-less husband and the troubled but beautiful "Jewess" Mirah (Jodhi May, also of Mayor of Casterbridge) who is searching for her family.
Comments: I enjoyed Daniel Deronda the first time I watched it but after another viewing I appreciate it even more. The story line is rich and there is ample material to analyze each character and study how they develop and deal with their problems and interior struggles. I am currently reading the novel now so when I complete it I can see how the movie compares.
You can purchase the DVD or VIDEO and the BOOK.

 

Emma (1997, A&E)
Book/Author: Emma by Jane Austen
Summary: Emma Woodhouse (Kate Beckinsale) is a wealthy young woman who has a good heart but is rather misguided. She fancies herself a matchmaker, particularly to her new friend shy Miss Harriet Smith (Samantha Morton, also in Jane Eyre). Although Emma means well she falls into one mess after another after her matchmaking goes awry. However, her older and wiser friend Mr. Knightly (Mark Strong) cares for her deeply and helps her to see and correct her errors.
Comments: One can't help compare this version of Emma with the Hollywood version but I must confess I enjoy each one equally, but for different reasons (and depending on my mood.) It is ironic that I found Harriet, Frank and Jane to be just as I imagined them but Emma seemed to come across as overly self-centered and condescending whereas she had a more caring side to her as well. Besides that I must say the A&E Mr. Knightly made a huge impact on my life, literally. It was as if God gave me a visual of what He was asking of me - get rid of the "Frank Churchills" of your life and wait for a Mr. Knightly. A man that, to me, represented moral strength with the capacity of helping me improve myself. Granted this is purely a matter of opinion and something that only my eyes may be able to see. When a best friend watched this Emma (knowing how I felt about Mr. Knightly) it had no effect on her. She saw him as a rather stern, older, balding guy; and she infinitely preferred the "other" Mr. Knightly character. Oh, well.
You can purchase the DVD or VIDEO and the BOOK.

 

Emma (1996, Miramax)
Book/Author: Emma by Jane Austen
Summary: The same plot as above but this version was a Hollywood release with Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma, Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightly, Toni Collette as Harriet Smith, Alan Cumming as Mr. Elton and Ewan McGregor as Frank Churchill.
Comments: This version of Emma is a delight if you want a light-hearted and humorous approach to the novel. Although Harriet was a little too quirky, and the Jane/Frank subplot was glossed over I think this version did a better job at bringing Emma to life. A&E seemed to focus more on her negative traits while this one brought out a little more of the good in her. Emma always meant well. She was just misguided. Both versions are definitely worth a watch!
You can purchase the DVD or VIDEO and the BOOK.

 

Jane Erye (1997, A&E)
Book/Author: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Summary: After enduring a depressing childhood, young governess Jane Eyre (Samantha Morton, also in Emma) goes to work in the gloomy Thornfield Hall. Upon meeting her employer, the surly and brooding Mr. Rochester (Ciaran Hinds, also in Persuasion), Jane slowly comes to fall in love with the man. However, Jane's lowly position and Rochester's dark secrets become a barrier between them.
Comments: Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre was the first literary classic I ever read as a young girl. I fell in love with it and have since reread it numerous times. I have yet to watch a movie version that lives up to my hopes but this A&E version comes the closest to it. Although there were changes in the story line I enjoyed how it brought out the interior struggle of Jane when she had to chose what to do about Mr. Rochester and his secret. If you have never read the movie I'd recommend reading the novel first to get the full enjoyment of the story. Then you can watch the movie and compare!
You can purchase the DVD or VIDEO and the BOOK.

(I also recommend the superb Jane Erye Musical that ran a few years back. You'd probably appreciate this CD more if you've seen the musical but I think anyone who enjoys the novel would also enjoy the musical soundtrack.)

 

Little Women (1994, Columbia/Tristar)
Book/Author: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Summary: Little Women takes place in the 1860's and chronicles the joys and sorrows of four beloved sisters - Jo (Winona Ryder), Meg (Trini Alvarado), Amy (Kirsten Dudst/Samantha Mathis), and Beth (Claire Danes).
Comments: Little Women is another childhood favorite but in regards to this movie version half of me loves it and the other half of me hates it. The filming and score is rich and beautifully done. Winona (despite her personal faults) was a favorite actress as I was growing up and I think she does a great job at bringing Joe's spunk and inner struggles to life. In fact, I enjoyed all the actors in their role except for Mrs. March. I have a hard time stomaching Susan Sarandon in any role, let alone as Marmee. And although most movies stray from the book, I hate the feminist/politically correct twist put on the book. Hence, my love/hate relationship with this movie.
You can purchase the DVD or VIDEO and the BOOK.

 

Lorna Doone (2001, A&E)
Book/Author: Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore
Summary: As a child John Ridd (Richard Coyle) witnesses the murder of his father by the Doones. He swears vengeance against the Doone family. As fate would have it, John falls in love with a girl named Lorna (Amelia Warner), who he later finds out is a Doone.
Comments: Although a well-known novel, I had never heard of Lorna Doone before watching this movie. The story has a British setting but it is vastly different from the grandeur of manors with servants ready and waiting. Instead we get a feel for the land and its earthy characters, full of passion and adventure. I enjoyed the movie thoroughly even though at times I wasn't completely sold with the Lorna character nor John's fickleness. I think I would enjoy the movie even more if I had deeper insight into the story, something I hope to gain after I finish reading the book.
You can purchase the DVD or VIDEO and the BOOK.

 

The Mayor of Casterbridge (2003, A&E)
Book/Author: The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy
Summary: In this dark movie Michael Henchard (Ciarán Hinds, also in Persuasion and Jane Eyre) auctions off his wife (Juliet Aubrey) and baby daughter during a drunken fit. Later coming to his senses, Henchard repents of his deed and swears off drinking for a fixed period of time. Nineteen years later his former wife returns with their daughter (Jodhi May, also in Daniel Deronda). Henchard welcomes them back and tries to make life easier for them but he is haunted by his past and interior struggles.
Comments: I first say this movie on TV and thought it was incredibly depressing but equally interesting. However, I couldn't figure out how A&E could have a movie that was so choppy - skipping from one scene to another making you feel like you "missed" something in the storyline; even the soundtrack seems to be cut off abruptly between scenes. Just recently I found out the reason why - the version that aired on TV had an hour worth of footage deleted from it. Since I so enjoyed the acting of Ciarán Hinds and Jodhi May I ordered the DVD. I'll let you know if this version is considerably better than the one aired on A&E.
You can purchase the DVD and the BOOK.

 

Our Mutual Friend (1998, BBC)
Book/Author: Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
Summary: It is difficult to summarize this complex novel but to put it briefly, a young man named John Harmon is preparing to claim his inheritance and marry (his father's choice) Bella Wilfer (Anna Friel). However, Harmon is found dead in the River Thames. The Harmon fortune then goes to the kindly Mr. Boffin (Peter Vaughan) and his wife (Pam Ferris), who adopt Bella. Meanwhile, an idle young lawyer Eugene Wrayburn (Paul McGann) and the crazed schoolmaster Bradley Headstone (David Morrissey) fall in love with the poor but beautiful working girl Lizzie Hexam (Keeley Hawes, also in Wives and Daughters). Each life intertwines with the other as we try to discover just what happened to John Harmon.
Comments: Just writing the above summary makes me want to go watch the movie again. I just wish it was available on DVD. The story is classic Dickens with numerous twists and turns that require a score card to keep track. I fell in love with the strong and good-natured Lizzie (it was funny to see her in an opposite role in Wives and Daughters) and enjoyed seeing the character development of Eugene and Bella. This movie was thoroughly enjoyable despite some of its darker moments (and Brian's remarks about the characters obvious lack of dental hygiene.)
You can purchase the DVD or the VIDEO and the BOOK.

 

Persuasion (1995, Columbia/Tristar)
Book/Author: Persuasion by Jane Austen
Summary: When young Anne (Amanda Root) falls in love with Captain Wentworth (Ciaran Hinds) the romance is nixed by family and friends who find the Captain beneath her. Eight years later Anne, now considered an old maid, meets up again with the Captain Wentworth. Although her feelings for him have not changed he seems to be more interested in her younger relative.
Comments: When I first saw the movie Persuasion I was a little lost and had a hard time following along since I hadn't read the book yet. However, after reading the book then watching the movie again, it made so much more sense. Anne is such a wonderful and underappreciated character! Her inner strength and beauty is magnified when compared to the shallowness of some of her family members. (That father! I think I'd rather live with Mrs. Bennet.) This was also the first movie that introduced me to the actor Ciaran Hinds and his towering presence. He has been a favorite ever since. Also, although this movie is a Hollywood version it has more of an A&E or BBC feel and look to it; not at all "glossy".
You can purchase the DVD or VIDEO and the BOOK.

 

Sense and Sensibility (1995, Columbia/Tristar)
Book/Author: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Summary: The Dashwood sisters are as different as night and day. Elinore (Emma Thompson) is even-tempered and sensible. Marianne (Kate Winslet) is passionate and impulsive. However their love for each other runs deep and together my must endure the loss of their father, the loss of family fortune and unrequited love.
Comments: I usually prefer an A&E version to a Hollywood version of a book but Sense & Sensibility was an exception. The stunning and rich visuals - from the countryside to the décor to the costumes (although a little less cleavage would have been suffice) - and the splendid musical score added even more to the story. Austen's Sense & Sensibility has always been a favorite of mine since I saw so much of myself in Marianne and so much of my (younger but wiser) sister in Elinore.
You can purchase the DVD or VIDEO and the BOOK.

There are a number of other movies I've enjoyed but I'll have to watch them again before writing a review. So watch for new posts for the following movies.

Under the Greenwood Tree
The Mill on the Floss
Nicholas Nickleby
Washington Square

Are you a hard core B&W/Classic movie fan? Check out these adaptations.
(They often differ greatly from the book but are still enjoyable to watch.)