Jane Eyre (BBC)
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Movie Reviews of Jane Eyre (BBC)
Movie Review: Dominant Jane and Gentleman Rochester
Summary: 3 Stars
The '73 BBC production of "Jane Eyre" with Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston is a decent adaptation of Charlotte Brontė's classic novel - and heaven knows there are few enough decent versions around - but it pales in comparison to the outstanding BBC production of '83 in several respects. Firstly, the '73 version has the weaker script, which very often stays too close to the novel for is own good, yet at times diverts unnecessarily from the literary model. It may sound paradoxical that a production of Jane Eyre can stay too close to the novel, but so it is. The long dialogues between Rochester and Jane are a joy to read, but when they are transferred to the screen in nearly their full length as in this production, their complexity and very unusualness create an impression of artificiality and staginess. The '83 version, on the contrary, shows how superbly these dialogues can be adapted to the screen. There, scriptwriter Alexander Baron did not keep all the lines, but infallibly picked the core lines which are essential to characterize the protagonists and convey the essence of the scenes. Faithful as the long conversation are rendered in the '73 version, they appeal to the intellect rather than the heart, they are interesting, but not captivating, and they lack the focus and also the intensity of the scenes between Rochester and Jane in the '83 version.
Another negative point is the more than frequent use of Jane's voice-overs. Nearly all versions make use of that technique and with just reason, but in this adaptation it is driven to absurd extremes. Jane's inner voice constantly interrupts even the dialogues between her and Rochester, only to inform the audience about what is already blatantly obvious and what could have been shown as effectively by plain good acting. Alas, Sorcha Cusack's acting abilities are limited - at least in this role. She either raises her eyebrows or wears an amused, know-all smile, which is simply not enough to render the character of the novel's heroine. But then her whole concept of Jane is wrong. She plays Jane as a self-confident, sophisticated and worldly-wise young woman, who is right from the beginning on terms of equality with Mr Rochester. She completely misses Jane's guardedness, her shyness, modesty and inexperience. Her Jane is even snappish and pert at times. But the misrepresentation of Jane's character is not Cusack's fault alone but partly also due to the script, which brings me back to my first point of criticism: Since the script is overall so faithful to the novel, the viewer naturally concludes that each word uttered in this version must come straight from the novel - but such is not the case. A very attentive reader of the novel will have noticed that they frequently put repartees and remarks in Jane's mouth which she does not utter in the novel and which give her a sophistication, shrewdness and boldness the young and inexperienced Jane of the novel does not possess. And getting Jane wrong they also got the relationship between her and Rochester wrong. She constantly has the final say during their conversations, she dominates and lectures Rochester instead of being lectured by him.
With such a Jane there is little Michael Jayston as Rochester can do. Jayston is an admirable, subtle actor, who speaks his many lines well and who is really the highlight of this version, but unfortunately he lacks that charisma, that great overpowering presence and natural authority which are necessary to play Rochester and which for example make Orson Welles a more convincing Rochester in the '44 movie, although he has much less screen time than Jayston and does not possess the latter's subtlety. Jayston is superb at playing the eloquent and refined gentleman, but simply cannot portray Rochester' imperious and dark side, and his outbursts of anger and temperament seem unnatural and forced. In the '83 version all sides of Rochester's character are rendered in equal perfection by Timothy Dalton, who combines magnetism and a great acting range and who is furthermore unrivalled in his incredible delivery of Charlotte Brontė' unusual language. Unfortunately there is also little chemistry between Jayston and Cusack: their interplay is amusing but it lacks feeling and their love scenes are passionless and dry.
As regards the plot most of the novel's important scenes are faithfully shown in this version - although the part between Jane's flight from Thornfield and her arrival at Moor House is cut out - but two scenes are altered and to their disadvantage. The first is the gipsy scene. In this version Jane guesses who the gypsy woman really is even before she sees her. Rochester can only say a few sentences before Jane makes him stop the masquerade. In the novel this scene is an admirable means of characterizing both Rochester and Jane - here it only serves to make Jane look very smart and Rochester like a fool. Better to leave out that scene than to mutilate it in that fashion. The second is the parting scene after the aborted wedding. This scene would have benefited if they had stayed closer to the novel, but for some reason they considerably shortened it and consequently that scene conveys next to none of the heartbreak and despair of the scene of the novel. Again, both these scenes are done to perfection in the '83 version.
Let me conclude by saying that despite all my points of criticism I still think that this version in its overall great faithfulness to the novel is miles above nearly all other Jane Eyre adaptation, and I would invite all true lovers of the novels - and using that term I exclude all those who earnestly affirm that the silly 2006 perversion of Jane Eyre is true to the novel or to the spirit of the novel - to watch both the productions of '73 and '83 and to form their own opinion. For my part I have found the definitive Jane Eyre in the '83 adaptation.
Movie Review: Lovely story but Jane killed it for me.
Summary: 3 Stars
At the risk of upsetting other reviewers, I just wanted to give another perspective; this is an expensive DVD set. I have at least a half dozen movie versions of Jane Eyre on DVD, and if I had been able to view this version prior to my purchase, Im not sure I would still have bought it. The main issue I had with this production was Jane, or the actress that portrayed her. I did not find her believeable, or even that likeable. Yes, I am being harsh. But I found her more coy than sincere, and her frumpiness was just too much for me. I loved Mr. Rochester and was really trying to convince myself that he was attracted to her, but just couldnt do it. I believe he really is a terrific actor just for carrying her through the production. As far as casting someone "unearthly" in the role, the result was more "uninteresting". I found myself fast-forwarding through her sole appearances, which is not something you want to do when you spend this kind of money. My humblest opinion only.Movie Review: Wonderful!
Summary: 3 Stars
Superbe acting in this BBC adaption of Jane Eyre! You never want it to end....Movie Review: A good film but a bit dissapointed
Summary: 2 Stars
I have now seen all the many versions of Jane Eyre, with the exception of the silent movie.
This is a very good film version of Jane Eyre. It is faithful to the book. I really really like Michael Jayston. He plays a very wonderful Rochester.
Why I didn't give it 5 stars is because of Sorcha Cusack. I did not care for her as Jane. Through most of the movie she has this strange little smile on her face. She came off very frumpy partially from that horrible wig or fall they gave her to wear.The penciled brows did not help either. They gave her rather an owlish Garrison Keillor type quality. Her acting was insincere and coy rather than the Plain, strong willed yet sincere, kind and ernest fairy, elfin like character so vivdly described in Charlotte Brontes ever classic literature.
It is Michael Jayston with his terrific talent that carries this movie through.
I will say as one other reviewer stated. this is a very expensive DVD. Rent it first or wait until it comes down in price a little
May I suggest The Orson Welles or Timothy Dalton version. while Welles version is very condenced, Orson is the most perfect example of mr Rochester I have ever seen. The movie has a gothic moodiness that is perfect. Joan Fontaine while too pretty has an etherial wholsomeness that is very appealing.Plus lovely Elizabeth Taylor as Helen Burns.. I just wish they had put more of the content of the book in that version.
Daltons version while he too handsome to be Rochester,overcomes that fact magnificently by his absolutley unpresidented acting. He is Edward Rochester. He understands the part and the Shakespearian training he had really pays off... that film adaptation is also most faithful to the book. The chemistry between him and Zelah Clark is wonderful....... Especially the amazing Gypsy scene that is much more in depth and color than that of the Jayston Cusack version.
In conclusion, view them all as I did and come to you own conclusion.
Movie Review: Not what I expected
Summary: 2 Stars
First of all let me start by saying that Jane Eyre is my all-time favorite novel. I was looking for a movie accurately portraying the story, and more importantly, capturing the dynamic personalities of the main characters. So, after reading the reviews of this movie, I purchased this one, the '73 BBC production. It was not what I expected after reading those stellar reviews. I will say first that it was very accurate, taking most of its lines from the book. However, The first episode was so dry and the actors so unbelievable that I couldn't stop laughing at the stupidity. Also, there is no music in the background, so it lacks that extra feeling that music can provide. I continued onto the next episode, hoping that the quality would improve. It did. Slightly. Jayston and Cusack are better actors than the children, and they do have good chemistry. The interior monologues that Jane has are distracting, and silly to say the least because she makes such weird facial expressions during them. Also, although it is trivial, I must say that their kisses look painful, dry and unpassionate. Honestly, I have seen and been in High School plays that far outshine this movie. It lacked the passion that I was looking for. It was definitely not worth the money I paid for it. Though, if you're learning French, Adele is quite fun to listen to as she talks to her nurse. Otherwise, please be careful in purchasing this product. And please, if you're a first-time viewer, or only a modest Jane Eyre fan, you may want to consider something livelier.