Alicia Silverstone as Cher in Clueless, a modern adaptation of Emma. This film still leaves me laughing, and I suspect JA would have approved of its modern Beverley Hills setting.
Do you have an account with Netflix for instant videos? How about an Amazon prime account, which offers amazing discounts as well as free postage and handling for all your prime purchases? At less than $80 per year, Prime has proven to be my best investment in entertainment.
Here are a few Jane Austen film titles that have become available for instant streaming. These keep changing every six months or so, and I am always on the look out. In the instance of From Prada to Nada, which is a nada good send off of Sense and Sensibility, I cannot tell you how lucky I felt that I watched the film for free.
Netflix Streaming Video – instantly available with your instant video membership
- Pride and Prejudice 1980
- From Prada to Nada
- Aisha
- Clueless
- Emma 1996
- Mansfield Park 1983
The 1995 film adaptation of Persuasion with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds is incomparable.
Amazon Prime, Instant videos free, for rent, or for purchase
- Persuasion 1995 (free with Prime)
- Pride and Prejudice 1940 (free with Prime)
- Pride and Prejudice 1980 (free with Prime)
- Emma 2009 (free with Prime)
- Other Jane Austen film adaptations are available for rent or purchase at Amazon.
I find the 1940 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice execrable. While many of the supporting actors are fabulous, even brilliant in parts, this story has been changed and Hollywoodized to the point where the lines are laughable (every “hottentot can dance”, instead of “every savage can dance”), and the ending is downright criminal. I have a running almost 2-year debate with a sometime visitor to this blog who is apoplectic at the idea that I don’t love or respect this film. She keeps coming back every once in a while to inform me that I don’t know sh*t from Shinola when it comes to the fine art of 1940s film making, and that I wouldn’t be able to discern a donkey’s ass from that of a thoroughbred’s. (My terminology, not hers, but you get the idea.) Insult away, my dear! You cannot persuade me to like this film. Although I will respect anyone’s positive opinion about P&P 1940, it simply isn’t mine.
My rant about P&P 1940 brings to mind some of the worst moments in Jane Austen film adaptations. Here they are in no particular order:
The stellar Edna Mae Oliver as Lady CdeB, a softie romantic at heart
1.) Pride and Prejudice 1940: Laurence Olivier (not yet a Sir) as Darcy persuades the incomparable Edna Mae Oliver as Lady CdeB to become his accomplice in winning Elizabeth Bennet over. In other words, Lady CdeB turns out to be crotchety but NICE. The writers and producers of this film should have been made to apologize to every student who watched this film to write a book report and who received an F for getting the ending so dreadfully wrong. They subverted the students’ rights to NOT read the book and opt for a C or a D by watching the movie instead. In addition, 35-year-old Greer Garson was closer to Mrs. Bennet’s age of 41 or so than Elizabeth’s age of 19. And throughout the film good old Larry O resembled a wood mannequin in posture and facial expressions. In my humble opinion, our pinch-faced Larry and his near geriatric Greer had almost no chemistry between them. Let’s not even discuss the costumes.
Billie Piper as Fanny Price as Fanny Hill.
2. ) Mansfield Park 2007: Billie Piper as Fannie Price. *Hahahahah*. Fanny exhibiting ample cleavage in her day gown. *Loud guffaws*. Fanny athletic and running around with wild hair. *Snorts and sniggers*. Lady Bertram rising from her couch in the last scenes and showing spirit and gumption in uniting Fanny with Edmund. *WTF!?* An energized Lady Bertram is as egregious a change in character as a nice Lady CdeB. The reviews for this film in Rotten Tomatoes are so tepid that it has yet to acquire a ratings score. One wonders why the folks at ITV bothered to adapt this very thick JA novel and compress its tale to a bare 90 minutes. Might as well read a comic book version of MP. ‘Nuff said.
Tall, gorgeous, statuesque Frances O’Connor as Fanny Price.
3.) Mansfield Park 1999: In this adaptation, Frances O’Connor as Fanny is more beautiful and intriguing than Embeth Davidtz as Mary Crawford. In fact, one begins to wonder why Edmund is so drawn to Mary when the lovely, worshiping and nubile Fanny is his for the taking. I won’t go into detail about director and writer Patricia Rozema’s social stance on slavery and British empire exploitation in this film, since my observations in this post are meant to be tongue in cheek and light-hearted. Let’s just say that 1999 audiences were surprised to learn that somehow our dear departed Jane had quite clearly expressed her strong feelings on the topic to Patricia.
Gasping for breath and suffering a headache from that severe, unflattering updo, Annie goes after her man.
4.) Persuasion 2007: (Set to the theme of Rocky.) How I pitied poor Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot. I hope that she only had to run through Bath for a few takes. Imagine if the director hadn’t been pleased with her stride, or if a jet’s drone ruined the scene, or if … whatever. It could not have been easy for her to race over stone sidewalks and streets in those delicate slipper and in full Regency regalia, with her hair pulled back so tightly that her ears and cheeks practically met in the back of her head. Jane Austen’s Anne Elliot would NEVER have run through town like a hoyden and debased herself for a man, not even the delectable Captain W. To quote Jeremy Northam in 1996s Emma when she made a joke at poor Miss Bates’s expense, “badly done.” Badly done, indeed.
Barefoot Lizzie swinging above the muck
5.) Pride and Prejudice 2005: Or the muddy hem edition. Good old Joe Wright wanted to put a different spin on P&P, so he set Longbourn House in the middle of a mud field, surrounded by a moat, and overrun by pigs, geese, and all manner of dirty, smelly farm animals. Then there’s Mr. Bennet (played by 70-something Donald Sutherland) rutting after Mrs. Bennet even though his respect for her intellect is less than zero. And who can forget the film’s breathy, candle lit American ending? – “Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy.” I don’t know which altered ending was worse – the one in which the co-conspirator in happiness and harmony is Lady CdeB, or all that post-coital face licking at the end of this adaptation. This film should have been titled: Pride and Prejudice: back to nature.
P Firth is no Colin.
6.) Northanger Abbey 1986: Visually, this JA adaptation is quite lovely and interesting. But the music…Gawdalmity! It is so awful that this film should be seen with the sound muted. During the 70s and 80s, the male actor flavor du jour was Peter Firth. He played Angel in Tess and Henry Tilney in NA. Why? Just because he was good in Equus and for two milliseconds, when very young, looked somewhat leading mannish? I found him so off putting as Angel and Henry that P Firth single-handedly ruined those films for me. He could have played a Mr. Collins, Mr. Elton, or John Thorpe quite excellently. As he aged, P Firth began to portray villains, which is how I always saw him. But what I can least forgive this film for are those horrid gothic scenes (which the 2007 NA adaptation picked up.) I read NA and reread it, but, other than telling us about Catherine’s lively imagination and penchant for reading Gothic novels, JA included none of those scenes. To this day, I am still waiting for a decent Northanger Abbey (and Mansfield Park) film adaptation.
Can you recall scenes in JA films that made you cringe? Do share. As always, feel free to disagree with my humble opinions, but politely, please.
Jane Austen's World 
Thank you, thank you.I feared I was alone in the universe in my non-preference for the 2007 version of Persuasion. No one can hold a candle (IMO) to Ciarán Hinds as Frederick and of course Amanda Root is so very, beautifully self-contained as Anne.
It’s a superb film. I think the actors did a splendid job, including the supporting cast. I particularly liked Sophie Thompson as Mary in that film.
No no you are not alone! I can’t watch 2007 Persuasion. I refer to it as dreadful and not worth watching. Um what happened to THE LETTER? The film version was great, especially the ending when Frederick declares his intentions of marrying Anne and everyone stares blankly at him and her father says “What do you want Anne for?” great moment!
Mansfield Park with Billie Piper isn’t worth watching either but I did like the movie.
The Oliver P&P was fine in the first half and then it just went … whaaaa?? It’s set some time after the Battle of Waterloo so I didn’t have a problem with the Victorian costumes.
I just saw From Prada to Nada which is sort of cute but not Jane Austen’s story and not worth money. We had a free On Demand movie marathon and I was home alone and curious so I watched it.
I didn’t like Gwyneth Paltrow’s Emma. The actresses are too old and it just didn’t work for me though I love Toni Colette.
I liked Clueless but I was a teenager at the time and hadn’t read any of Jane Austen’s beautiful words yet.
i fully agree with you these are fun to watch on a rainy afternoon with a hot cup and my knitting
Sadly, some of the other Jane Austen films – Mansfield Park 1983, Bride and Prejudice, and Lost in Austen – are no longer available as streaming flix. Let’s hope they reappear on a rotating basis!
Completely agree with what you said about Billie Piper as Fanny Price. I think she’s a fantastic actress and enjoy watching her in most things but it is and awful awful awful casting choice that did neither her or the book justice.
I agree. Billie is too modern and flamboyant a woman to play the quietly stoic Fanny.
Oh I am so relieved to know I am not the only one repulsed by the TV adaptation of Mansfield Park. I even tried watching it again, years later to see if maybe I had it wrong the first time…. could not stomach sitting through the first 5 minutes. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the 1995 Persuasion – a personal favorite of mine.
Mine too. I described it as incomparable and consider it, along with the 1995 P&P adaptation, as my favorite Jane Austen movies.
I don’t mind the Sally Hawkins version of Anne Elliot, but was horrified by the running scene, and then they waltzed infront of the house!!
My husband prefers the 2005 version of P&P, but I keep pointing out what would not have happened, like Charles Bingley going into Jane’s bedroom when she is not dressed, or Darcy walking across the field underdressed, but it is still romantic at the end. I didn’t mind the kissing so much :)
Yeah, I rather like that adaptation of Persuasion except for its ending. The captain and his Annie kissed in public – a big Regency no-no, but meant to swell the hearts of every viewer. I loved how Lost in Austen poked fun at Bingley’s striding into Jane’s sick chamber a la P&P 2005 and Darcy’s wet shirt scene in P&P 1995.
Yes, the 1940 P& P is a stinker! I think the only way to get through a viewing of this very bad movie is to treat it as a comedy. Exactly what “era” did the costumes reflect?
1830-s to 40s, I believe. These costumes are Hollywoodized and a mishmash. They had been used in other films and were chosen deliberately for their big swaying skirts, but I think they merely placed the Bennet women in a Dickens village.
Oh, I so wish I could convince you of the merit of P&P 1940! I absolutely adore this adaptation. Not because it’s good, but because it’s just such a terrible mess. It’s true that the only way you can enjoy it is ironically, but if you sit down to watch it with the right mindset, I promise you – fun will be had.
Excellent point. And it sounds like a cup or two of negus might just mellow me enough!
Oh, I so agree with all your comments!! Mansfield park is my favourite book and every movie adaptation of it is horrible! I’m looking forward to one day someone doing justice to it. And the running scene in persuasion “groan” lol I always fast forward that bit it is so bad!
Yes, Persuasion 2007 wasn’t half bad until they forced Sally Hawkins to do a Chariots of Fire.
Oh my what a hoot! Oh how we differ on opinions, but I am glad someone wants to have fun with it instead of fight. As much as I love the candy coated version from 1940 that shall remain unnamed, you and I can link arms and turn our noses together at that other unfortunate ending. It is so nice to meet you!
My pleasure to meet you as well. Over a cuppa we shall politely discuss our differences.
Like everyone else, I adore the P and P with Colin Firth, but the inconsistent wigs on Jennifer Ehle drive me cuckoo!
Yeah, they had a life of their own, didn’t they? I wonder why they didn’t dye her hair dark and style it.
Love this, Vic–reposted on my FB page!
Thanks, Regan!
Your article was hilarious, and so perfect. I own all of the film adaptations on DVD and love torturing myself by watching the hateful parts. How about all of the fluids leaking from Ann Elliot’s orifices in the Sally Hawkins version of Persuasion? Mrs Smith, the invalid herself, running down the street to intercept Anne and probably pick up some dentures for her maid who has the wicked snigger….she looks more like a madam in a low-class brothel. Then there’s Captain Harville braving the tidal wave to give dating tips to Captain Wentworth. I Tactually enjoy the 1980’s Pride and Prejudice if not for the proliferation of late 1970’s ratted hairstyles complete with wiglets. The clothes!!!! Polyester!!!! And I absolutely detest period films with bad make-up, especially when the dowagers are wearing false eyelashes and lipstick. I actually love the vintage Mansfield Park,which is so true to the dialogue of the book….but the actors are all so ugly. Here Fanny is supposed to be 19 but she looks 50 and I think she’s only 20. The BBC version of which you write – SACRILEGE. I think Emma Thompson did a fair adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, (I have her book which includes the screemplay), but why, oh why, do they feel it is necessary to delete characters? Andrew Davies wants to keep the action hopping, I understand that – but again, token sex scenes and hypotheticals….leave Jane Austen’s words alone!!!!
Oh, yes! Mrs. Smith. How could I forget this invalid rising like Lazarus up from her chair and chasing Annie all over Bath to warn her about William Elliot? Uggh. The first MP, while faithful to JAs novel, belongs to the old BBC school of television specials, in which a single camera remained firmly on the actors’ faces as they pretended they were on a stage. As for Emma Thompson’s S&S, while the dialog was delightful, many MANY liberties were taken with the plot and veered of the JA course.
I like the BBC Mansfield Park (1983) and 1995 Persuasion though Ciaran Hinds would not have been my choice for Capt Wentworth, he is likeable and believable. Donald Sutherland’s accent drives me mad in P & P as does the short hair showing at the back of Keira Knightly’s wig and the clueless portrayal of Mr Bingley. As for P & P, who can forget Colin Firth’s smouldering glances at Jennifer Ehle as she played the piano; made we want to take piano lessons!
I believe Donald Sutherland is Canadian, which would explain his north of the border-Hollywood British mish mash of a voice. It is very distinctive and I can pick it out quite easily in commercials (I believe he does one for an orange juice company). And I agree with you – Colin Firth gazing at Jennifer Ehle in that scene must have burned a few camera lenses.
I love the deep passion of 2007 Persuasion; it brings out what is latent in Austen and is a development from the 1995 version. As Austen says one can ridicule anything and it’s easy to pick absurd stills even from the 1995 P&P. I admit Ang Lee spends such huge amounts not a still will allow for anything unguarded. I like the commentary version of Rozema in 1999; it’s not supposed to be MP but MP and the juvenilia and I’ve nothing against both an anti-slavery discourse and a pro-gay one. Films are works of art in their own right &c&c. Same goes for the 1986 NA — it brings out the latent: the script there is witty, though I’d agree the acting is wooden. Not that a film cannot speak to us newly through Austen and critique her, teach us about her. Some of those which are not heritage but appropriation films (commentary, modern analogies) do that: you don’t cite them. Wright turns Austen into a D.H. Lawrence text and I agree there: Lawrence loathed Austen and my feeling is Wright can’t stand her either (he says as much if you listen carefully); tellingly the turning of the father into a sentimental ass is similar to the 1940 film which we are agreed on. But my objections are to the vision of the films themselves. I’ve defended the 2007 Mansfield Park as pro-nature. Casting against type has become common; Mark Strong as Mr Knightley is an earlier instance than Billie Piper, and we are going to see more not less of it as the commercial film-making world tries to attract an audience which would not like Austen’s values, does not read her books (except P&P or some of the dreadful sequels).
Good points about casting against type, Ellen. One might say that Greer Garson was the first instance, even though it was quite common in those days to cast mature actresses in roles that were more suited for ingenues. As for Joe Wright not liking Jane Austen, I had read somewhere that he had not even read Pride and Prejudice when he took on the project, and was determined to show a livelier, more tomboyish Lizzie. In doing so, he turned a gentleman’s house into a yeoman’s farmstead. I love Ang Lee’s cinematic details and can watch his version of S&S over and over again, even though Emma Thompson is much too long in the tooth to play Elinor. I could discuss these films at length, but you have done such an admirable job of it on your blogs already!
I “liked” this even though I have strong objections ( :) ) to your objections to 2005 P&P which I can watch endlessly. I even bought the piano sheet music to the score and learned how to play they (shocking difficult) few main pieces. Middling homes like the Bennets in that era *would* have had geese wandering about and the odd cowherd wandering by. The Bennets weren’t so wealthy that they had no sign of mud near their doors, I’d say. As for the hottentots, wow! They might have just gone ahead and called them darkie foreigners. Just goes to show how racists the general public was back when that movie was made.
I have to confess that I agree with Andrea and like the casting of this version, including Donald Sutherland who I find very funny in this role. However, I agree with Vic about the revoltingly syrupy ending.
Come on now… Who among us hasn’t day dreamed about that man kissing our noses and saying “Mrs Darcy…. Mrs Darcy” Who hasn’t? Raise your hands. Anybody?
hehehehe
Well, I haven’t!
eek! blasphemy!
Just kidding. :)
Andrea, I love the music to P&P 2005, and some of the settings in that film were breathtaking (that ancient oak forest!). And while the movie provides a different take on Mr. Darcy (that he is actually shy, not arrogant) and the sexual tension between he and Lizzie is palpable, I still think of this film as P&P light. Mr. Bennet belongs to the landed gentry. His income is 2,000 pounds a year, a goodly sum (around 100,000 today or 150,000 in American dollars). He owns a horse and carriage, quite a luxury in those days, and probably engages a man to oversee his farm so that he can spend his days at leisure in his study. His income is similar to Colonel Brandon’s, so he would have been able at the very least to afford gravel paths, pen the pigs, cows, and goats away from the house, and brick over the stable yard. I just think that good old Joe Wright went a little overboard with his back to nature theme. He could easily have demonstrated Lizzie’s tomboyish nature without plopping the entire family next to a smelly, fly-invested stable yard. I will concede that geese and chickens might have been wandering around unfettered, and that sheep might have been used to crop the grass, but a pig inside the house?
I can see your points. I assumed the same generally until I watched one of those British reality shows where people tried to live exactly the way folks lived way back when (I can’t remember the name of it now) and the difficulty of basic life, and the amount of work regular folks not buried in footmen and maids had to do back then surprised me. What did seem, to me, less advanced than I expected was the *inside* of the Bennet house in that movie. It seemed quite small, ramshackle…cobbled together and cramped, compared to what I’d expect of the Bennets. In face the house in Lost in Austen seemed closer to what I’d imagined. Either way, the music, and that adorable Mr Bingley sucked me in to this one… :)
Oh, yes, Bingley was adorable. And in this instance, Jane was cast perfectly. I absolutely agree about the music and confess that I listen to it often. I enjoyed our conversation!
me too :)
I’ve also had a long-standing aversion to the 1940 P&P.
The costumes were totally wrong for that era as were most of the hair styles. The change in dialog is annoying and omitting some of the scenes gives the entire film a jerky feeling.
I also have a great deal of criticism for the 2005 version, again because of the costuming – or lack of it in some cases. In that era women of good families simply did not go outdoors for any length of time without a head covering and they certainly wouldn’t be barefoot, striding around the farm at all hours. The depicting of the Bennett manor as a farmstead is more like something out of Tom Jones than anything by Jane Austen.
Women were used to getting their HEMS muddy and dirty, even in the cities, but they did not look like hoydens and they always wore stays, once they were in their teens.
I grew up listening to stories from my great-grandmother who was born only a few decades after this time period. (She was born in 1844 and died in 1949 when I was ten, three months shy of her 105th birthday.) As I was the only female child, among a herd of boys, I got an inordinate amount of her attention and “instruction” on “how ladies behave” – and to this day, at age 74, my posture is still the way she taught.