Jane Eyre
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Movie Reviews of Jane Eyre
Movie Review: Loyal Adaptation with Excellent Acting
Summary: 5 Stars
This BBC version of Jane Eyre starring Timothy Dalton is the best version I have seen. Now, I must say that I have not yet seen the Masterpiece Theatre version. However, compared with the Miramax 1996 version or 1997 A&E version, this adaptation is considerably better.
What I liked about the BBC 1983 version is that I can picture the characters in their respective roles. For example, Timothy Dalton is everything I imagined Edward Fairfax Rochester as being - smart, sarcastic, cynical, etc. In addition, Zelah Clarke plays Jane Eyre very well. She brings a serious tone to Jane's character. Some television editions of Jane Eyre 'tick me off' by having an older teenager girl (who has no maturity) play this important role. The acting does not convince me and ruins the film.
Now, obviously, the special effects in this 1983 BBC production could hardly be worse, especially the fire scenes. However, if an audience gets over the fact that this is an older film with a low budget, you can overlook this flaw.
Finally, this film appeals to me because it takes much of the dialogue straight from the book. Certainly, there are a few minor scenes from the book that are left out or slightly compressed. However, for the most part, this film is perfectly loyal to the novel. In fact, I probably shouldn't say, but this film is so accurate that you could probably pass a reading comprehension test on the novel "Jane Eyre" simply by watching this film one or two times and taking notes.
That being said, I certainly enjoyed this film, found it loyal, found it interesting, and recommend it to anyone who feels good acting and accurate dialogue are important.
Also recommended: Jane Eyre (1973)
Movie Review: Purists will prize this adaptation
Summary: 5 Stars
Purists will prize BBC's 1983 adaptation of Jane Eyre (DVD, 311 minutes). The screenplay is faithful to Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel about a young woman torn between desolate freedom and imprisonment in either immoral love or lovelorn duty. ~ Timothy Dalton is dashing but desperate as the godless Mr. Rochester, while Zelah Clarke's Jane is pious yet compassionate, vulnerable yet indomitable. Dalton's ringing baritone and lavish trilled r's, his imposing stature and impulsive physicality form a fascinating foil to Clarke's soft-spoken sympathy and cerebral restraint. The script preserves much of the Bronte's stately prose, both within the dialogue and throughout narrative passages, and the actors speak with impeccable diction. The glittering, self-deprecating humor between Mr. Rochester and Miss Eyre is a delight. ~ Unlike other adaptations, this screenplay avoids degenerating into a mere Gothic romance. It addresses most of the steely ethical and religious imperatives that both mold and fetter the characters and elevate their sacrifices to create meaning. ~ However, the script stops short of revealing the depth of Rochester's surrender through grief and remorse to humility and piety. In the novel, this crucial step is a prerequisite for his redemption from depravity and his ascendancy to grace. When Jane first reunites with him in this screenplay, Rochester reacts with wrathful pride to his mistaken perception that she now regards him with pity. This seems a pointless departure from the original text. ~ Even so, the final scene makes up for it; and although Rochester does not actually bow his head in prayer and thank God for tempering judgment with mercy, Dalton portrays his renewed marriage proposal with almost agonizing poignancy.Movie Review: the BBC does it right
Summary: 5 Stars
Watching this miniseries, I couldn't help be struck by how these 19th century characters behaved in a more realistic fashion than a lot of the modern characters in current movies. While they are bound by social rules and live in circumstances far removed from those of our present society, they react to those circumstances in a credible way.
Since I'm not a great fan of Bronte novels, I attribute my reaction to how well-acted and written this miniseries is. Given the type of dialog, it's a tribute to Timothy Dalton and Zelah Clarke's acting. They deliver their lines, lines that could easily sound phony or affected, from the heart.
There are only a few small problems with this miniseries but they do not detract in any measurable way from the viewers' enjoyment. First, there is fluctuation between video (for interior scenes) and film (for outside scenes) which can be a bit disconcerting, particularly when you're immersed in the story and not really thinking about the fact that you're watching T.V. Second, Timothy Dalton really is too attractive to be Rochester. This isn't an especially great problem except for a scene where Rochester asks Jane if she finds him handsome and she immediately answers "no". This makes Jane seem insincere or ridiculously modest when this is certainly not what is meant. Had they cut that line, Dalton's attractiveness wouldn't be an issue. He certainly was well cast for his acting ability. He is superb as Rochester, and I say that as someone who isn't especially a fan of his.
If you're a fan of this type of genre, you can't help but be thoroughly pleased by this version. Purchasing the DVD is something you will not regret.
Movie Review: Absolutely best version of the novel!
Summary: 5 Stars
It is extraordinary reading the incredibly shallow reviews of people whose enjoyment of a film or TV show is totally limited to the superficial production values. If your tastes are so shallow that you simply MUST have glitzy bells and whistles over substance, then I guess you can't watch any TV production made before 1990. Yes, the BBC at the time had very few resources to work with -- that still makes the original FORSYTE SAGA (late 60s) absorbing entertainment for those whose imaginations are broader and deeper than those who require special effects and fancy hi-tech wizardry in their entertainment. I guess these people can never watch theater where audiences are forced to use their imaginations far more than TV/film audiences are.
This production of JANE EYRE is the most richly satisfying of all. Timothy Dalton simply IS Rochester, even tho he is too handsome for the character. Zelah Clarke is little and plain just as the character is described in the novel. Both deliver Bronte's language beautifully and naturally. So much of the novel appears in this production, I think Charlotte Bronte herself would recognize her voice here. The only thing missing is Bronte's focus on Jane's relationship to God--that is minimized here. There is some superb acting and when it all finally ends, you wish it would just go on. If you're an adult viewer who doesn't demand state-of-the-art production values, and whose imagination is rich enough to fill in the blanks and doesn't need everything spelled out for you---you will have no problem enjoying this version of Bronte's novel.
Movie Review: Jane Eyre - with Timothy Dalton and Zelah Clark
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my favorite version of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel Jane Eyre. Timothy Dalton is perfect as Rochester - dark, stern and ruggedly handsome; but you can sense something good in his nature, and Daltons acting talent portrays Rochester well in all of his moods.
Zelah Clark is excellent as Jane - you sense that she has had a foundation of proper manners, having been raised in her youth at Gate's Head - a magistrate's home; yet Clark also shows well the side of Jane that is patient, solid, unable to shock; having been forced to endure the hardships and staff of Lowood Hall. She also portrays well the side of Jane that was fiercly independent and 'fairy-like'; really quite a complex character for her young age - who Clark carries off beautifully.
I think that one of the enduring qualities of this novel is in the fact that despite all of her challenges in a class and male-based society, Jane has maintained an inner strength to carry her though and rise above it all. And through her willingness to do what is right, and walk away from all she could possibly hope for in a soul mate; providence allows this to eventually happen. This is all portrayed perfectly with the actors, the screenplay, and the fact that the dialogue is virtually out of the book.
The only shortcoming of this version is the style of filming, and the score (e.g. nothing like John Williams score for the GC Scott version). It appears more like a play than a film. However, the acting is so good, you forget about those things shortly after it starts!