Sense & Sensibility (with Miss Austen Regrets) (BBC TV 2008) | 
 enlarge | Director: John Alexander
Actors: Hattie Morahan, Charity Wakefield, Dan Stevens, Janet Mcteer, Mark Williams
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $34.98
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Rating:  97 reviews
Sales Rank: 1736
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 174
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.8
MPN: WARDE36359D
UPC: 883929006007
EAN: 0883929006007
ASIN: B0012OVCE6
Release Date: April 8, 2008
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 04/08/2008 Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
Lush, dramatic, and beautifully acted, the BBC's three-part miniseries Sense & Sensibility captures the languid urgency that resonates throughout the Jane Austen novel on which it is based. The miniseries begins with a seduction scene: As a young girl cautiously gives herself to a man, she asks, "But when will you come back?" He answers ominously, "Soon... very soon," and gallops off into the night. We know what she does not--that he will not return for her. But viewers do not learn until the end who the couple are, and how their actions set off a chain of events. It is inevitable that this period piece will be compared to the 1995 big screen adaptation that starred Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant, and won Thompson an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. To its credit, this later version stands up incredibly well, with actors whose looks match Austen's written description. And due to a longer running time than the film version, there is more attention paid to detail and minor characters. Sense & Sensibility focuses on the longings of the Dashwood sisters Elinor (Hattie Morahan) and Marianne (Charity Wakefield). After their wealthy father dies, leaving his entire estate to their milquetoast half brother John (Mark Gatiss), Elinor, Marianne, their younger sister Margaret (Lucy Boynton), and their mother are left penniless. John and his shrew-like wife Fanny move into the manor, making the Dashwoods feel like unwanted guests. It is only after Fanny's handsome and kind brother Edward Ferrars (Dan Stevens) arrives for a visit that Elinor feels happy again. Marianne, too, has attracted the attention of two suitors: serious and shy Colonel Brandon (David Morrissey) and dashing Willoughby (Dominic Cooper). Learning that the 35-year-old colonel is interested in her, a stunned Marianne says, "You do realize that it will be impossible for me to speak to him again." Her actions are that of a little girl, running away and hiding when he comes to call on her. But her feelings for Willoughby are real: the kind of love a girl feels for the first time. The differences in the sisters' choices, actions, and secrets set the tone for an era when a perceived impropriety could ruin a woman's reputation and her family's standing in a community. Filmed in England with good use of aerial shots, the production has a sweeping feel that adds a distinct flavor to the drama. As with many Austen novels, the heroines in Sense & Sensibility go through many misunderstandings before their happily-ever-after ending. But that ending leaves viewers satisfied that things turned out just the way that they should. Austen fans will be delighted with the second disc in this set: Miss Austen Regrets is a perfect companion to the miniseries, starring Olivia Williams stars as the author, and Greta Scacchi--who could easily pass as Williams' real-life sibling--as Austen's sister Cassandra. The film takes a bittersweet look at Austen's life and hints at what could have been had she married one of her suitors. Smart and headstrong, Austen refuses to cave into society's notions of what a proper woman should do. While her famous heroines all paired up with dashing gentlemen, Austen found that the loves of her life were her written creations. --Jae-Ha Kim
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| Customer Reviews: Read 92 more reviews...
 A lovely adaptation January 7, 2009
Like most people, I had seen the Emma Thompson adaptation of Sense and Sensibility and quite liked it. It stays as true to the story as you can within motion picture time contraints. I was, therefore, a little skeptical of this new mini series adaptation of the book. What could it bring to the table? The answer, it turned out, was quite a lot. From the spectacular scenery to the lovely performances turned in my the young cast, I could not stop watching it. The bonus features are also great and range from the cast talking about how many times to trooped up and down a hill to film a scence, to the director talking about finding a period appropriate cheesy poof for John Dashwood's son to be eating on the carriage ride to Norland. All in all a great DVD, though I wish I had ordered it in combination with the Persuasion remake (sadly had already bought it on its own) rather than Miss Austen Regrets.
The Best Adaptation Ever!!! December 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This movie was amazing! I have never been disappointed in Andrew Davies' work. He completely captures every character, situation, and emotion that Jane Austin ever attempted to display.
I fell in love with the characters, and I hate Fanny with a passion!! All the actors did a wonderful job and the scenery and music were breathtaking!! The music was splendid and always matched every situation the characters found themselves in.
To conclude, this adaptation was MUCH better than the Emma Thompson version. I can't stand the proposal scene between Edward and Elinor! It was HORRIBLE! Emma Thompson sounded like she could decide if she should hick-up, cry, or laugh! I had to fast-forward it because it was so terrible! When this one came out, I was eagerly looking forward to this particular scene, hoping it would be better than Emma Thompsons, and I wasn't disappointed! It was so wonderfully done!! Beautiful!
There were many other things in the Emma Thompson's version that I couldn't stand, but I will spare you that and simply say that I LOVE this movie!!!!!
Katie McCurdy
(Author of 'Journey of Faith')
Sense and Sensibility December 22, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I had to order a second copy for our house. Need I say more.
Brilliance of Jane December 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The dual DVD of "Sense and Sensibility" and "Miss Austin Regrets" was a superb presentation"Sense and Sensibility" touched upon a familiar theme- a family almost impoverished by circumstances and needing to make wise matrimonial decisons in order to recoup both fortune and status.Hattie Morahan and Janet McTeer give sensitive and powerful performances as the Dashwood sisters and the Austen wit and gamut of emotions are exquisitely portrayed. "Miss Austen Regrets" offers the reader a rare view of Jane Austen and her misgivings on not responding to love and marriage when the opportunity was availed herand her exhorting of her niece not to make the same error. Again the presentation was insightful and moving. The viewer saw the private Jane Austen ,feeling she has the responsbility of being the sole family provider and being in conflict with her feelings, especially toward her status conscious mother. The viewer will be treated to a rare artistic feast in every respect.
 SUPERVISINGLY SUPERIOR TO EMMA THOMPSON'S PRODUCTION November 30, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Most of the BBC productions of J.Austen's works; have not lived up to the- one would hope- artistic standards you would use in bringing Miss Austen's incomparable novels to life. Fortunately as the sensitive and sensible person that I am; this production has used the 'huge' allotment of time BBC/PBS gives to their "Master Piece" programs, sensibly, and smartly done.
Of course, when you see a reproduction of a loved work, you may be blinded to the vision the director and the screen writer has, if they have one at all. My belief is that you can not have wonderful without failures, even in different productions. This production lets you in on the joke, the satirical and at times irony in the novel. But, I believe that we, I, need to understand that we have to different art-forms and fortunately this one has also worked quit sensibly.
Sense & Sensibility (with Miss Austen Regrets) (BBC TV 2008)
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