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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This 1996 production of Emma is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining piece - thoughtful and true to the original work, with fine costumes and scenery. The original characters are brought to life on-screen effectively and believably. Kate Beckinsale makes a marvellous, entertaining Emma. This version is far superior to the more recent 1999 version (starring Gwyneth Paltrow et al). The recent version detracts from the essence of the story with 'big names', exaggerated characters and scenes and generally looses (amidst stars, spoofing and glamour), the typical wry, under-stated English manner captured so well by Austen and portrayed delightfully in this earlier version of Emma. This earlier production of Emma has to be the choice, over the new Gwyneth Paltrow version, for Austen fans.
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This adaptation is yet more proof that Andrew Davies, the script writer, understands the essence of Jane Austen. It is beautifully cast and played, with special credit going to Kate Beckinsale for a wonderfully assured mixture of sense and romanticism, and the always excellent Prunella Scales. By keeping faithfully to the book it actually makes sense emotionally and in terms of plot, unlike the dreadful Hollywood version which garbled the Frank Churchill/ Jane Fairfax plot and generally misunderstood Emma's social standing by making her far too aristocratic. I am still slightly puzzled by Lucy Robinson's accent as MRs Elton (American? Bristolian?) but generally can't find fault with it. It ranks with the BBC P&P and Persuasion on my list of essential Austen adaptations.
54 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This adaptation outshone the film version that came out in the same year by a long way. Kate Beckinsale was perfectly cast in the title role, and was actually consistent with the character as she was described in Jane Austen's book. The other characters are also true to Jane Austen's characterisation. Mr Knightley is played as the slightly melancholy man he appears to be in the book, and is consistent with the older and wiser character that he is meant to be. The period touches are excellent, as well as the subtelety in the contrast between the status of the characters. Prunella Scales shines as Miss Bates, portraying her both as the garrulous woman she is, but also as the vulnerable and lonely individual whose social status forces her to rely on the kindness and support of her friends. This is an overlooked Jane Austen adaptation, but one that is well deserving of admiration. An excellent purchase.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
brilliant
so much better than the gwyneth paltrow version!!!
if you are not sure which version to buy - please go with this one
if you are not sure which version to buy - please go with this one
Published on 28 July 2008 by helen
Must have.
own both this and the Paltrow version & have also watched the nasty 1972 Doran Godwin version, but I must say I much prefer this one. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2008 by N. T. Diep
Badly Done Emma....Badly Done
Having seen and own both the Kate Beckinsale and Gwyneth Paltrow versions. I must say that I like them both and have seen them more then once. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2007 by vessie@oz
most accomplished indeed!
I love this version. i had only seen the Gwyneth Paltrow version before and was dissapointed with it but this more than makes up for it by letting the viewer pick up on the... Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2007 by Lilacstar
Simply brillant!
This is a brilliant adaptation of what many may call Austen's "masterpiece." It's not hard to fall in love with the adaptation as the cast is very good (with Kate & Mr... Read more
Published on 20 April 2007 by sam hrt
Love Austen? You'll love this...
How do you sucessfully condense the masterpiece that Emma is into less than two hours? Although they have incredibly truncated the story and took some great liberties here and... Read more
Published on 17 July 2006 by K. L. Holt
Excellant
Kate Beckinsale is enchanting as Emma, with great support from Samantha Morton (Miss Smith) and Mark Strong as the dashing Mr. Knightley. Read more
Published on 15 May 2006 by S. Tarrant
Great Adaptation, etc...Where are the extras?!?
I expect you have read all the other reviews for this DVD before getting to mine, so I won't repeat everything. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2006 by terry gill
The best adaptation
The crew, namely Andrew Davies as scriptwriter and Sue Birtwistle as producer, that adapted Pride & Prejudice (1995) on film did a fantastic job again. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2005 by Lili_K
Delightful adaption of a great novel
I'm a big J.A fan, (I haven't seen the Gwyneth Paltrow version though I understand its very good) I can definitely recommend this version with Kate Beckinsale. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2005 by Jane Austin fan!
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