Updated March 2019
Watch Persuasion 2007 Part 1 here.
and Part 2 here
Critique: The 2007 version of Persuasion is quite serious and somber. The scenery is lush and gorgeous, and I find the costumes more authentic in this production than in other cinematic depictions of Jane’s work. Rupert Penry-Jones is the perfect Jane Austen hero and his handsome Captain Wentworth is quite to my liking. However, this production is not as rich in interpretation as the 1995 version of Persuasion, and I preferred Amanda Root as Anne Elliot over Sally Hawkins.
Jane Austen's World 
I shall disagree. Sally Hawkins captures Anne Elliot quite truthfully. She knows exactly who Anne is and captures her perfectly. So much that we feel and breath with her and feel embarrased with her as well.
As to Rupert Penry-Jones I must add that I felt him to be perfect too. He knows when to look at Anne and when to divert his eyes, face and body from her. And with him or rather through him we see Anne blossom again. It surely doesn’t stand in the way that he is indeed the “most handsomest man we ever met” to quote the Musgrove girls.
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I watched Persuasion for the first time this past Sunday on Masterpiece. I really enjoyed it. I haven’t seen the 1995 version that so many people compare it to, but I think this version was very personal, with Anne looking at the camera and her changing emotions throughout. Sally Hawkins was good as Anne. I wish that the hair and makeup people would have spruced her up more though. I really felt for her the whole movie. Her family was SO horrible! Then there’s Captain Wentworth- wow! Rupert Penry-Jones might be the most handsome man that I have ever seen too (except for my husband of course). He was excellent. I do wish that at the end, they would have showed his expression when she came running at him….I thought that was hilarious. I would have done the same! Go Anne!
Does anyone know if the music for the movie is available? I know it was written by Martin Phipps but can’t find a cd or even mp3 of the soundtrack.
I love, love this version. Rupert Penry-Jones was superb and just what Captain Wentworth should be (and devastatingly handsome!). I know many like the 1995 version, and while well-acted, the characters were a bit too old for the roles so it was a bit distracting. I wish this version had the time to develop the story a bit closer to the book, especially the story line with Mrs. Smith. Anne’s hair looked a bit too severe throughout the movie. I would like to have seen her a bit softened in that regard.