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Mansfield Park [1983]


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Editorial
Synopsis

Poverty-stricken Fanny Price goes to live with her prosperous aunt and cousins at their country home. As she struggles to adapt to her new lifestyle she begins to attract the attentions of suitors. A BBC adaptation of the novel by Jane Austen.


This adaptation portraits the REAL Fanny Price
Review date: 2008-05-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

Fanny Price is often depicted as the least loveable heroine of Jane Austen's books. She is timid, shy, has low self esteem and no sense of wit or wickedness like Elizabeth Bennett, but a strong sense of right and wrong in shades of black and white, rather than grey forgiveness for past mistakes or follies.

The adaptations of 2000 and 2007 bear no resemblance to the character of Fanny Price from the book. The REAL Fanny is not tomboy-ish, or rebellious, she does not giggle or flirt. She is prim and prude, and steadfast in what she holds to be right.

It takes a little time to get to know Fanny Price, and perhaps a little longer to really appreciate her. I have watched all adapations several times, but by far my favourite is this version with Sylvestra Le Touzel. She understands Fanny and understands how to portray her. Her acting is impeccable, even if it seems stilted and wooden in parts. If it does, then only because Fanny Price, as I understand her from the book, behaves like this. Sylvestra makes Fanny Price believable, the other actresses (whilst good actresses) make Fanny Price appear like a stranger and their portrayal bears no resemblance to the heroine from the book.

The other actors are also excellent in this adaptation. Bernard Hepton is outstanding as Sir Thomas Bertram, Anna Massey the real nightmare as Aunt Norris, Jackie Smith-Wood sublime as Mary Crawford... the list goes on.
The more I watch this adapation the more it grows on me and the more I believe in the people.

My advice... if you want to watch a film that matches the book, then buy this adaptation and give the others a miss.

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Reviews


The REAL Fanny Price
Review date: 2008-02-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

I couldn't agree more with Booklover, the first reviewer. I am quite sick of everyone trying to make Fanny Price saucy and brash, which seem to be prerequisites for a female heroine these days. This film's Fanny - Austen's (and thus the real) Fanny - gives us another type of heroine: quiet, shy, insecure, like many of us, who in the end musters the strength to stand up for what she believes in when all around her fall. This film portrays her without cowtowing to modern sensibilities. Fanny is like the shy, quiet girl in the class that no-one can really figure out and some think must be uppity. Misunderstood, bearing secret dreams and passions, emotionally abused by her adoptive family, she represents the part of the population who is not Elizabeth Bennett or Emma Woodhouse and never will be - and doesn't necessarily want to be! She shows us that you can be strong without shouting and that you can stand your ground against your peers and society without standing on a soapbox - would that more people could learn to do this!

As for its length - since when has a real Jane Austen fan ever complained about an adaptation being too long!? (Rather the contrary)

Subtle and Observant.
Review date: 2008-02-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

Mansfield Park's heroine isn't for everyone. Fanny Price is not only a prig but at first glance is a trifle dim. As it turns out Fanny is as courageous as she is kind. If viewers take the time and have the patience this subtle and observant version of Mansfield Park will grow on them. It is very like the book so be cautioned: this production is theatrical (stagy)in style and is leisurely. There are 6 episodes and the plot is slight but most Austin aficionados will find it a treat. It has a superior script and is sympathetically and well cast. (The Crawfords are the entertainment highlight)
If ONLY the superlative 90's feature film productions of Emma, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion had been given this much time in a 312 min. format.

If your alone on a rainy afternoon this Mansfield Park makes very pleasant company. Pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy.




I like it.
Review date: 2007-12-02 Rating: 8 out of 10


I like Jane Austen productions to be close to the book, and this really was. Fanny Price seemed to have stepped out of the pages of Mansfield Park; I thought she was well acted. Watching this production helped me to understand more deeply what Jane Austen was trying to do in Mansfield Park, which I have always found her most fascinating novel. I only wish it could have been longer and included more scenes and conversations straight from the book.

Dated but very good
Review date: 2007-08-20 Rating: 8 out of 10

I returned to this adaptation of Mansfield Park after enduring the unremittingly horrible 2007 ITV version. Yes, the acting can be a bit stilted, the lighting a bit glaring at times and the camera work a bit unoriginal, but it is a faithful adaptation of the book. Fanny Price is a heroine that it will always be difficult to portray to a modern audience--more Anne Elliot than Elizabeth Bennet--but Sylvestra Le Touzel does acceptable work in an almost impossible role. Anna Massey is a wonderful Aunt Norris and the wonderfully lethargic performance of Lady Bertram by Angela Pleasance borders on the psychotic. Mary and Henry Crawford are suitably worldly and ambiguous without being caricatures. The pacing is slow and considered over six hours, but this works well with this wonderfully odd novel. Don't even consider this DVD if you were smitten by the silliness of the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice or the Gwyneth Paltrow Emma, this is a one for those who appreciated 1995 BBC Persuasion.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Anna Massey
Nicholas Farrell
Bernard Hepton
Angela Pleasence
Sylvestra Le Touzel

Creators:
Bernard Hepton (Primary Contributor)
Anna Massey (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503171322
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-11-07
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 300 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1983
Language: English (Original Language)

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