April 2, 2009 by Vic
The author of this recent post writes about the unfaithfully depicted hairstyles in recent period film adaptations. Her rant is similar to the one I wrote about inaccurate costumes in period films, especially in terms of showing or covering the bosom.
Read more about these topics in the following links:
ATTENTION JASNA MEMBERS: Online access to talks from this year's AGM is open. For $99 U.S., you can watch the plenary sessions until February 15th. Offerings include Devoney Looser's "Sisters in the Arts" and the Sunday Brunch performance which hilariously dramatized some of Austen's favorite music; Breakout Sessions, including Lisa Brown's talk on Ignatius Sancho's Country Dances, "Composed by an African" and Brenda Cox's presentation on "Satirical Cartoons and Jane Austen's Church of England," and short versions of talks including "Jane Austen on TikTok," and "The World of Jane Austen Soundtracks"; Special Interest Sessions such as Georgie Castilla's fascinating "Adapting Austen to Comics" and talks on Regency dress and social dance; a stage production of "Lover's Vows" which we did not get to see at the AGM, and much more!
More information is available at jasna.org/conferences-events/agms/agm-updates/ . If you're not a JASNA member yet, why not join and support their work in celebrating Austen's life and works!
The Life and Legacy of Enslaved Virginian Emily Winfree: A Review by Vic
In the past year, this blog has posted a number of articles and book reviews on Black History and Slave History in Georgian England. This book, written by Jan Meck and Virginia Refo, continues in America from the 19th to early 20th century. Find Vic's review on the Jane Austen's World History page at this link. Order the book at U.S. Amazon.
Highly Recommended a New Book! Bath -An Adumbration in Rhyme, edited by Ben Wiebracht
Read the review of the book, edited by series editor Ben Wiebracht here.
Click to order the book on Amazon. US and UK Amazon links. U. S. Amazon or UK Amazon
The neglected tombstone found in an overgrown burial ground said:
“Sacred to the memory of His Excellency C.J. Austen, Esq.,
Champion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath,
Rear Admiral of the Red and Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty’s Naval Forces on the East India and China Station,
Rear Admiral Charles Austen CB
Died off Prome, the 7th October 1852, while in command of the Naval Expedition on the river Irrawady against the Burmese Forces, aged 73 years.”
The grave after restoration
Read the full article in The Sunday Times. June 27, 2021.
Click on image to read the story.
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Jane Austen's World 
Great links and info. It has always been distracting when the movies sold out to popular, modern trends in order to get customers.
The unfaithfully depicted hairstyles blog entry might need correcting. . . Charlotte Bronte did not pen Wuthering Heights. It was Emily, of course!
Heehee, my boss always laughed about that–she said no matter how accurate the dress can get in period movies, the women’s hair is always wrong. It always reflects the current styles. And it’s totally true! Ok, Marie Antoinette (with Kirsten Dunst, that is) wasn’t too bad, but fashion was one of the major themes of the film, so it doesn’t count. The other film with really accurate costumes/hair (and pretty accurate everything except for the main storyline) was The Crucible.
With regard to the accuracy of historical costume in film, there are few cinematic experiences that make me giddier than well-done period pieces. However, I also think that when some things are changed obviously and with the intent to be playful or expressionistic, the result can be quite interesting.
Let us also remember that the modernization of fashions for a story set in the past is hardly new; one example that immediately comes to mind is Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, wherein the esteemed author said, on the subject of the clothes that his cast ought to have been wearing: “I have not the heart to disfigure my heroes and heroines by costumes so hideous; and have, on the contrary, engaged a model of rank dressed according to the present fashion.”
It looks pretty and charming! I always admire the women in 17-18 century for their life is full of balls,nice dress and gentlemen.But I also understand it only happens in the novels.
I can understand the importance of historical accuracy to an extent, but in the end, it’s a movie – they are interpreting the story and are using visual symbols (such as a low neckline or untidy hair / high neckline and neat hair) to portray the characters to modern audiences.
I agree that dress, accessories and hair (etc) should all be historically accurate, but it’s only necessary to a degree and shouldn’t be the focus of the flim.