Sense and Sensibility (DVD)

I won't repeat what I'm sure many other reviewers have written about the plot of this classic book turned mini series and focus on the actors. I love this mini series over all the other versions of this Jane Austen classic novel. The actors picked for this mini series were brilliant, each were believable and almost exactly what one pictures when reading the novel. The character development of many of the characters (but not all) is much more in-depth in this mini series than other versions I've seen too (esp in comparison with the much loved 1995 version), with one huge exception: Mr. Palmer. I do wish that Hugh Laurie (who played Mr. Palmer in the 1995 Emma Thompson version) was in this mini series. He did a bang up job in the 1995 movie, playing the cynical yet hilarious Mr. Palmer. He added much needing laughter and smirking moments to the movie, and would have been wonderful over the stuffed pigeon that played Mr. Palmer is this mini series. That is it's only real flaw in my opinion. I guess it could be a small nit-pick, but I enjoyed Hugh Laurie's interpretation of Mr. Palmer so much that anything less is just unworthy (and I am not a huge fan of Hugh Laurie in general, I just think he did wonderfully in this). The man who played Mr. Palmer in the mini series was just yawn inducing. You might as well have had a cardboard cut out standing in for him for all the acting and emoting he did. I also liked the lady who played Mrs. Palmer (Charlotte) in the 1995 version as well. She added a bit of ditzy bubbly fun to the movie that was lacking in this mini series. The actress that played Charlotte in the 1995 version has been in *many* period dramas and always does so well, so no surprise there. I loved Hattie Morahan as Elinor. She perfectly fit into the role of Elinor. I really enjoyed watching her and I believe that she was very committed to her role and executed it brilliantly well. I also found her much more suited to the role than Emma Thompson who, granted, is a brilliant actress but was far too old to play the role of Elinor in the 1995 movie. Hattie Morahan had that same strong command that Emma has, and even that deeper register voice that is totally appropriate for the character of Elinor (anything less would have seemed off), but she fits better than Thompson in the age range. I hate saying that because it makes me sound like an ageist but Thompson did not look like an early twenties Elinor, more like Mrs. Dashwood's younger sister. I loved both Winslet and Wakefield as Marianne but also found them slightly different in style and thus I prefer Wakefield to Winslet here. Charity Wakefield was spirited, ethereal, idealistic and poetic in a much more subtle way than the more dramatic and emotionally overwrought Winslet as Marianne. Both were fantastic but I think it's much to do with the pace and length of the two movies. One being a feature film, the other a mini series that allowed Wakefield the time to build the emotion whereas Winslet had to come out swinging since it was a 'short and sweet' version. Dominic Cooper as Willouhgby in the mini series was much more dark than Greg Wise in the 1995 movie. We get to see more of Willoughby and through many character's eyes not just Marianne's and Col. Brandon's. In the 1995 version you almost feel more sympathetic towards Willoughby's plight, feeling that he just has no choice, than in the mini series where it's clear that he values money over love. In the 1995 movie you feel that Willoughby will always regret his choice, but in the mini series you see much more depth in his feelings, regret yes, but also resolve and a coldness about his actions which are more consistent with his past actions than any life changing realization that the 1995 movie had. Edward (played by Dan Stevens in the mini series) is handsome and plays his part well, but of all the main players he seems to hold back his performance a bit. You don't feel the deep anguish that Edward has in the 1995 movie starring Hugh Grant. Granted, the stuttering, eye batting that Grant does is quite annoying at times, but he has more feeling in just his eyes w/out saying a word than Dan Stevens had in action and words between the two. I also liked Imogen Stubbs over Anna Madeley as Lucy Steele (Imogen in the 1995 movie, Anna in the mini series). Though there is much more story to Lucy and the addition of her annoyingly mouthy sister Ann, I found Anna's Miss Steel a bit more manipulative and squeaky (in voice) than Imogen Stubb's Miss Steel. Both Claire Skinner and Harriet Walter did a fabulous job as Fanny Dashwood, the overbearing sister-in-law of the Dashwood half sisters to her husband John. Claire Skinner played the same manipulative, scheming, greedy, elitist that Harriet Walter did, but she did so in a very soft spoken sublte way. You knew she was being overtly rude but almost forgave her for her gentle voice and sweet smile. Meanwhile in the 1995 version Harriet Walter was much more obvious in her motives in the way in which she presented the character- as a very manipulative, cruel, cold, and condescending woman with a voice that gave an undoubted command, not a subtle request. And now to my favorite characters in both the 1995 version and the mini series here- Colonel Brandon. In the 1995 movie Alan Rickman (of Severus Snape fame) was brilliant as Col. Brandon. His deep rumbling voice was so soothing and so alluring. He was great, but I have to say that David Morrisey's Col. Brandon was heartbreaking to watch as he pined away for Marianne. I absolutely loved the scenes with Morrisey and longed for Marianne to wake up and see him as he was- utterly handsome from head to toe. I really enjoyed the longer courting scenes between Marianne and Col. Brandon after Marianne recovers from her fever. It gave MUCH needed development that the 1995 movie didn't have due to time limits. The slow and steady build of Marianne's feelings for Col. Brandon through those scenes with him and her were heart gripping, something that was completely lacking in the 1995 movie aside from the small yet touching scene with Rickman and Winslet sitting outside as he read poetry to her. There was no jump from Willoughby to Brandon in the mini series, it took time and I like that. I also liked both the Mrs. Dashwoods. The Mrs. Dashwood in the 1995 movie much more emotional than the one in the mini series, but both were steady and well acted. I love this mini series and can watch it over and over again, and have. It's truly a wonderfully adapted version of Jane Austen's classic novel.

This set comes with three movies: Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, and Miss Austen Regrets. I'll begin with Sense and Sensibility. May contain spoilers if you've never seen any version of these movies. I am a big fan of the Sense and Sensibility movie with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. However, after watching this version, I may never watch the old one again. For one, the Dashwood sisters are more the age in the movie that they were in the book (16 and 19). The casting for the entire movie (I felt) was pretty spot on. Marianne was so full of life and gorgeous besides. Elinor was composed, but you could still see her love for Edward. The mother was more dramatic (like in the book) and Edward (played the same man who was Matthew in Downton Abbey) was more manly. And little Margaret was so natural she almost stole the show. The Steel sisters were exactly what they needed to be. I disliked Lucy Steel from the moment I set eyes on her and she did a great job of flaunting Edward in front of Elinor without being mean (after all, she didn't know Elinor's feelings). Willoughby was played by Dominic Cooper and was so worm-like. It was much easier to picture him as the seducer that he is than it was the old Willoughby. It's also easier to believe how much in love with Marianne he truly was. The end of the movie also shows a little snippet of what happened after they were all married, which was kind of fun. All in all this movie far and away exceeded my expectations. The length (174 minutes) allowed them to tell the story as the book tells it. This movie is equal to the BBC Pride and Prejudice. I'm so glad to have found a version that is. The only thing to discredit it is the seduction scene at the very beginning. But it's easy to skip. Now for Persuasion. I've seen this version about 5 times and I really enjoy it. Persuasion isn't as dramatic as Austen's other novels, but it is a good one to know. Again the cast is very well portrayed and Captain Wentworth is one of the most attractive men I've ever seen. This version is not as true to the book as the older version, but all the characters are more enjoyable to watch, so I prefer it. Anne is a little breathy, but I think it's meant to show how depressed she is that she's missed her chance at happiness. The comic relief in this movie definitely comes from Anne's sister Mary. All in all I'd give this movie 4/5 stars. It is not equal to Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice, but if you need a quick Jane Austen fix, it's definitely worth the watch. Miss Austen Regrets also came with this set, but I have not watched it yet.

Although the more recent film with Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet is well produced and acted (and entertaining), it only really provides the skeleton of the story. This series takes the time to cover the story more comprehensively and, although there are some variations that may grate for the true Janeite, this is a definite must see both for lovers of Jane Austen’s work and for those who enjoyed the more recent version.

There have been very many film productions of this novel, but this one is a cut above them all, matching even Emma Thompson's Oscar-winning cinema version. Here we have, from the very first scene, a potent, dramatic and fresh take on the novel. Director John Alexander, seems to have never made it to the big screen, but his vision and ability illuminates every frame of this mini-series. I have read the novel many times, and know it well, but Alexander manages to inject something new and startling into this all-too-familiar tale of the Dashwoods, their fall from wealthy society, and the ensuing plight of the elder two of the three daughters. The production values are worthy, and the BBC has furnished the series with what appears to be a suitable budget to do it justice. The score is wonderfully evocative of the mood, conjuring drama and romance aplenty throughout. The photography is also tremendous, and seems to takes it influence from Lord Leighton paintings, One moment in episode two is certainly taken straight from Leighton's painting "Invocation". If the series has a weakness, it is in its similarity to Thompson's version. Barton Cottage has an almost identical floor plan, as does the structure of some of the scenes. That said, the plot stays very close to the novel, and throws in plenty elsewhere that is original but entirely in keeping. The casting is excellent, as is the acting. Hattie Morahan (Elinor Dashwood) and the startlingly photogenic Charity Wakefield (Marianne Dashwood) do fine work here. I am perplexed at why Wakefield, for whom this was her first screen role, never capitalized on this performance to go beyond doing stints in "Casualty" and the like, as she commands every scene in which she appears. There are some decent extras. We have a commentary by Elinor Dashwood, Edward Ferris, the director and producer, though they sometimes seem at a loss to know what to say. There's also an interview with producer and script writer, in which much needless comparison is made with Thompson's movie version, as if the two were in competition, which they were not. That said, when the series was first broadcast, the BBC introduced it by mentioning the movie, which was a silly thing to do as the series is every bit as good as the movie in every respect. Overall, this adaptation really is a must-have in any costume drama fan's collection. It is the BBC doing what it does so very well - producing a masterclass of acting and production, fabulous on-location shooting (in this case with all the drama of the windswept Devon coastline), and wonderful scripting, which makes the series entertaining and surprisingly original. It is such a good series, I wonder why on earth the BBC produces such gems, and then steadfastly refuses to give them a repeat showing. Goodness know, plenty of drivel seems to merit endless repeats.

La imagen al reproducirse es muy, muy mala. Devolvería el DVD pero me cuesta el envío el 50% de lo que me costó comprarlo.

A great dvd of a classic Jane Austen book adapted in movie form A excellent version of thus story Well acted entertaining Dvd performed wonderfully and picture on dvd clear crisp A must for any fan of this story Highly recommend

Bei dieser dreiteiligen Mini-Serie der BBC aus dem Jahr 2008 führte der US-Amerikaner John Alexander Regie. Einer der profiliertesten Autoren Englands, Andrew Davies, schrieb das Drehbuch und adaptierte Jane Austens Roman „Sense and Sensibility“, zu Deutsch „Verstand und Gefühl“ oder auch „Sinn und Sinnlichkeit“. Jane Austen (1775-1817) hatte den Roman mit dem Arbeitstitel: „Elinor and Marianne“ 1796 im Alter von 21 Jahren begonnen und 1809 mit 34 Jahren bearbeitet, bevor er schließlich 1811 unter dem Titel „Sense and Sensibility“ und dem Pseudonym „by a lady“ als ihr Erstlingswerk veröffentlicht wurde. Im Mittelpunkt stehen die Schwestern Elinor, 19 Jahre alt, gespielt von Hattie Morahan, und Marianne Dashwood, 17 Jahre alt, gespielt von Charity Wakefield, und ihre sehr unterschiedlichen Temperamente. Nach dem Tod des Familienoberhauptes werden Mrs. Dashwood und ihre drei Töchter Elinor, Marianne und Margaret, 13 Jahre alt, vom neuen Erben, dem einzigen Sohn des Vaters aus erster Ehe, John Dashwood (Mark Gattis), aus ihrem Haus in Norland Park vertrieben. Insbesondere dessen hartherzige Frau Fanny Dashwood, geborene Ferrars, beansprucht es als ihr neues Zuhause. Bevor sie im weit entfernten Devonshire ein kleines Cottage beziehen, das ihnen ein entfernter Verwandter angeboten hat, lernt Elinor Fannys älteren Bruder Edward Ferrars (Dan Stevens) kennen und ist sofort sehr von dem freundlichen und bescheidenen jungen Mann angetan. Bald allerdings wird ihr zu verstehen gegeben, dass sie sich keine Hoffnungen machen solle, da von ihm erwartet werde, eine vermögende Frau zu ehelichen. In Devonshire trifft Marianne John Willoughby (Dominic Cooper), der ihre träumerische, überschwängliche Art zu teilen scheint, und sie verliebt sich Hals über Kopf in ihn. Unterdessen hat auch der schweigsame und ehrenwerte 35-jährige Colonel Brandon (David Morrissey) ein Auge auf die lebhafte und offene Marianne geworfen. Er hält nicht viel von Willoughby und bezweifelt dessen ehrliche Absichten. Und tatsächlich kehrt Willoughby Devonshire eines Tages den Rücken und reist nach London ab. Als Elinor zugetragen wird, dass Edward verlobt sei, versucht sie, sich nicht länger der Illusion hinzugeben und sich wie immer von der Vernunft und dem Pragmatismus leiten zu lassen. Werden die Schwestern dennoch ihr Glück finden? Durch die zwei weiblichen, recht gegensätzlichen Hauptpersonen erhält Jane Austens Roman „Sense and Sensibility“ einen komplexen Aufbau und bevölkern ihn viele Personen. Daher bietet er besonders viel Stoff für Verwicklungen und Wendungen. Elinor verkörpert mit Blick auf den Titel die Vernunft („sense“), Marianne das Gefühl („sensibility“). Außerdem können auch die jeweiligen Verehrer den Attributen „Vernunft“ oder „Gefühl“ zugeordnet werden. Dieser titelgebende Konflikt ist gut spürbar und nachvollziehbar umgesetzt, denn alle Beteiligten stecken bei vorgegebenen gesellschaftlichen Konventionen und Gepflogenheiten in dem Spannungsverhältnis zwischen Vernunft, Verstand einerseits und Gefühl, Emotionalität andererseits fest und ihr Handeln wird davon bestimmt. Die filmische Umsetzung bietet gute Charakterstudien und psychologische Betrachtungen dazu, wie anders Menschen verschiedener Temperamente auf vergleichbare Situationen reagieren und mit ihnen umgehen. Besonders schön ist dabei Austens Sinn für Ironie verarbeitet. Die Inszenierung ist klassisch, kurzweilig, gefühlvoll mit viel Muße und Zeit, dabei mitreißend und auf zwei emotionale Höhepunkte und Schlüsselszenen für Marianne (Tanzveranstaltung) und Elinor (Einladung zum Essen) zulaufend gelungen und wird durch herrliche Landschaftsaufnahmen vom brandenden Meer und malerischen Landgütern sowie schmachtender Musik ergänzt. Die Schauspieler agieren eher zurückhaltend und ganz der Rolle verschrieben als rundes Ensemble. Ich finde, „Sense & Sensibility“ ist dramatische, verwickelte, wechselvolle, romantische ca.175 Minuten dauernde erstklassige Unterhaltung zum Mitfühlen und Mitleiden.