I recently heard there’s a new version of PERSUASION in the works! It’s a TV version currently planned for sometime in 2007, directed by Adrian Shergold. I found this information at IMDB and of course anything might change, but it looks intriguing so far.
The role of Anne Elliott will be played by Sally Hawkins. Here’s a picture of her playing the character of Sue Trinder in Fingersmith, a BBC series set in Victorian London.
Rupert Penry-Jones is cast as Captain Wentworth. Here’s a shot of him as Adam Carter in Spooks. He’s also played St. John Rivers in a production of Jane Eyre.
I don’t know much more about these actors. I’m not sure which of their past works have made it across the pond and I’m way behind in TV and films anyway. Does anyone know more about them?
It’s hard to imagine anything to top the beautifully done 1995 version starring Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root. But then I felt that way about the 1995 version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and still enjoyed the very different interpretation of the story by Matthew McFadyen and Keira Knightly. I’m definitely open to a new version, which could be particularly interesting if it’s not under the time constraints of the 1995 version.
While I was googling around (it’s an addiction I try to fight-usually!) I also ran across this 1971 version, a 5-part miniseries starring Ann Firbank and Bryan Marshall. Has anyone seen this and what did you think? Am I wrong in thinking the guy’s hair looks a tad Victorian?
Anyway, if anyone knows more about the 2007 production, please share!
Elena
LADY DEARING’S MASQUERADE, RT Reviewers’ Choice, Best Regency Romance of 2005
www.elenagreene.com
I’ll cross my fingers and hope to love it (the latest P&P was a huge let down for me and I’m deeply depressed about Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette flick).
On the looking good side, though is the new Beau Brummell film (based on the Ian Kelly bio) with James Purefoy as Brummell. No word on a US release though. *SIGH*
I saw the 1971 version, Elena — and I thought it was exquisitely boring. 🙂
Cara
I think that Penry-Jones is playing the villain in the Masterpiece Theater “Casanova” I just watched Sunday (which, BTW, is lots of fun and way better than that dumb Heath Ledger movie from a few months ago!). Other than that, I don’t know anything about these actors. I am looking forward to the new version, though–I always love having new costume films to watch, especially Austen ones! I’m not sure it can top the Root-Hinds version, though, which is my favorite Austen film to date. 🙂
BTW, I’ve been reading about new British versions of “Jane Eyre” and “Wide Sargasso Sea”–anyone know anything about them? And Tonda, if you do hear anything about a US release for “Brummell” let me know immediately!
Oh too bad. I think some of those earlier productions of Jane Austen (after the Gone with the Wind version, of course) were so painstaking about being absolutely true to the books that it hindered creativity.
I didn’t care for the David Rintoul version of P&P that much. I know some people will jump on me for this but there it is.
Elena 🙂
I haven’t seen any version, nor have I read this one yet. LOL Hey, I’m getting there. 🙂 I do have all the books, so when I get in the mood, they’ll be there. I did read Northanger Abbey, and I really loved that one, and I’m looking forward to that movie, looking it up it seems like there was only one version made of that one. (There is an upcoming NA movie, right? LOL All of a sudden, I can’t remember, but I’m sure there is!) 🙂
Lois
Heresy, Elena. Heresy! *GRIN*
When I find out how we can get access to Beau Brummell I’ll let everyone know. So far it doesn’t appear to be out on DVD or scheduled to be so. I’m sure it will come out soon though (everything does nowadays, thank god).
The lovely HBO version of Elizibeth with Helen Mirren is already out and on the shelves. It’s totally worth watching, IMO.
I’ve no problem with movie versions of books. In fact, I love seeing my fave characters come to life. But I really really didn’t like the Keira movie version of P&P. It felt like they took too many liberties with the characterizations.
Now the Firth/Ehle version also made some gentle alterations to the original storyline, but they still managed to capture how Austen picturised her characters. They got the heart and not just the jist of it. This is what I’m hoping for Persuasion too.
Not only Persuasion! ITV is also doing Northanger Abbey (script by P&P’s Andrew Davies) and Mansfield Park. BBC is doing Sense & Sensibility (script also by AD). 2007 is going to be a big Jane Austen year. We’re shoring up the foundation at Pemberley.com.
Didn’t we hear that the TV version of Persuasion was using some place in Ireland as Bath? Shudder! I can’t tell you how magical it was to be in Bath and see where Ann kissed Capt Wentworth…some of our group even met a woman who had a bit part in the film.
I’ll still see it.
I started watching the 1971 version but I couldn’t stand the 1970’s hair. I never finished it. of course, I couldn’t get over the Victorian costumes of Laurence Olivier’s P&P or Greer Garson mincing little steps. So affected.
My friend Julie, however, likes both these adaptations, so don’t mind me!
I started watching the 1971 version but I couldn’t stand the 1970’s hair.
Every period film is in some way a reflection of the era in which it was made, as well as the era in which it is supposedly set. The hair is often a dead giveaway, but other things age films as well (like the actors, who may have been the ideal of beauty when the film was made, but don’t fit a later era’s ideals; I have this problems with films like Casablanca, Bogart just isn’t attractive to me in any shape, way, or form).
Diane, I totally agree — it’s the hair that really kills me in that old Persuasion. And though to a certain extent I agree with Kalen — any production will err a bit to its own time — I firmly believe that some do it much more than others! And that one did it far too much, IMHO! 🙂
Oh, and it isn’t the upcoming Persuasion that has Ireland stand in for Bath, Diane — it’s the upcoming Northanger Abbey. Which is even worse!!!
Cara (who’s full of exclamation points today!)
I lasted about five minutes into the old “Persuasion.” It sounded as though it had been recorded in a bathtub. I love the 1995 “Persuasion,” though–what a gorgeous film all round!
Sally Hawkins was awesome in “Fingersmith” so I have high hopes of this version.
Janet
I will hope for the best from the new Persuasion, but I find it hard to believe that it can surpass the 1995 version, which was one of the best Jane Austen adaptations ever done. The novel is so very introspective, it is difficult to translate into a literal medium like film. I thought they did a fantastic job. It showed what a filmmaker can do with really good actors if he isn’t afraid of silence.
On the other hand, I’m very looking forward to the new Northanger Abbey (even if it is filmed in Ireland) since there isn’t a good adaptation of that. Of course, I may see it and conclude that there still isn’t a good adaptation, but in the meanwhile I can hope!
Todd-who-lives-in-hope
While pawing throw the $1 video pile at Blockbuster a few months back (they were getting rid of all of their VHS, hence the sale) I found a copy of the 1971 version of Persuasion and hurriedly bought it and rushed home to watch. At first I was mortified when I looked down at the tape and saw “Part 1” on the label and wanted to kick myself for not seeing if they had the second half, but glad I settled with just this one. I agree with Cara. It was so mind-numbingly boring I think I actually got up to do dishes halfway through and just left it on as background noise. It was obviously a 70s recording with bad lighting and really odd costume and hair choices. The accents were so varied that I lost track of what the story was about only a half hour in. Hopefully the new version will do the story justice.