Jane Austen (1775-1817) never goes out of style. Since the screen (both big and small) began to make adaptations of her novels, the fame of the British writer has grown like foam, and she has become, along with William Shakespeare and Agatha Christie, the great name in literature. English.
There have been a total of six adaptations of Pride and Prejudice alone, perhaps his most famous novel. among which are the best known, starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in 1995, and a rather forgotten one from 1948, in black and white and starring none other than Lawrence Olivier and Greer Garson. Austen’s other great novel, Sense and Sensibility, is not far behind either: we have five adaptations of it; the last, by the way, a curious version called Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters (2009).
What is it about this writer that makes her work so popular? To begin with, its setting. A story set in the English Regency era (early 19th century) is always something very appealing to bring to the cinema. Second, its witty dialogues, ideal for turning into a film script. And finally, their love stories, an always recurring theme in the cinematographic world. Today we bring you some of the best screen adaptations of this British writer, Jane Austen. We hope you enjoy them.
1. Sense and Sensibility (1995), by Ang Lee
This delightful adaptation is probably the best version of Jane Austen’s first published novel, Sense and Sensibility, which was published in 1811. Many critics praise the film adaptation of the text (whose author, Emma Thompson, also plays to Elinor, the older sister who represents meaning), as well as the exquisite photography and the unbeatable costumes, all bathed by Patrick Doyle’s magnificent classicist soundtrack. Without a doubt, a treat for the senses.
The plot revolves around two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, who when their father dies are thrown into a precarious life, since the heir turns out to be their older brother, the result of Mr. Dashwood’s first marriage. The only way out for a woman in these conditions at the beginning of the 19th century was, of course, marriage. In this novel, Austen criticizes the romantic thinking prevailing at the time and elevates judgment and prudence above sentimental outbursts.
The acting cast is unbeatable. The aforementioned Emma Thompson magnificently plays a sensible Elinor Dashwood, while a very young Kate Winslet (who was only twenty years old in 1995) turns out to be an excellent Marianne, perhaps the best of all the successive versions. The excellent cast is closed by the sadly missing Alan Rickman as a serious and mysterious Colonel Brandon, Marianne’s eternal lover.
2. Pride and Prejudice (1995), by Simon Langton
It seems that the year 1995 was crucial for the adaptation of Jane Austen to the screen. Small screen in this case, since Simon Langton’s version of the novel Pride and Prejudice (1813) was broadcast in six episodes (from September 1995 to October of that same year) on the British BBC network.
According to critics, it is the best adaptation of the novel. The excellent script, together with the magnificent performance of Colin Firth in the role of the serious and proud Fitzwilliam Darcy and that of Jennifer Ehle as the prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet, are an indisputable guarantee of quality. On the other hand, the miniseries follows the careful period setting characteristic of British series and films, which take the viewer directly to the time of Jane Austen.
Darcy has become the quintessential hero of the Austen universe. Haughty and proud, he actually hides a sensitive and kind heart, hurt by certain miseries of the past. On the other hand, Elizabeth Bennet lets herself be carried away by prejudice when she judges Mr. Darcy by his appearance. The story emphasizes the pressure that women of the time had to find a husband, the only “judicious” way out for them.
Although the 1996 version, led by an excellent Gwyneth Paltrow, is well known and acclaimed, the 2009 miniseries, starring a no less excellent Romola Garai in the leading role, is, for many critics, superior. Based on the novel Emma, which Austen published in 1815, this BBC version is much more detailed and calm in the presentation of the plot, which is very beneficial for the viewer, who better understands the characters and their actions..
The main character is unique in all of Austen’s novel repertoire, as she is the only protagonist who has an enviable independence and who is not compelled to find a husband. Perhaps that is why the author herself commented that she was going to write a character that no one would like, only herself.
The expressive actress Romola Garai is ideal to take on the role of Emma, the carefree and cheerful young woman whose only interest is to play matchmaker for everyone around her. Their goings-on will lead to several misunderstandings that, as usually happens in Austen’s works, end happily. And, of course, as always when we talk about the BBC, the period setting is completely excellent.
4. Northanger Abbey (2007), by Jon Jones
Jane Austen wrote Northanger Abbey in 1798, when she was also working on other novels such as Sense and Sensibility. Published posthumously in 1818, it may be one of the author’s most forgotten (and underrated) novels.
Perhaps for this reason adaptations of the story are rarely told. The 2007 version is very valuable in this sense, not only because of its lack of “competition”, but because it is a frankly very well-resolved production. The plot revolves around Catherine Morland, a girl obsessed with the gothic novels so popular in Austen’s time. In fact, Catherine transforms everything that happens in her life into its “romantic” version, which will lead to many misunderstandings. This is an interesting character who grows throughout the story, and who in this BBC version is played by a very young Felicity Jones..
As also happens with Sense and Sensibility, the author’s intention is evident in making a mockery of the romanticism prevailing in England at the end of the 18th century, translated into novels such as The Mysteries of Udolpho (a novel that, by the way, Catherine is reading at the same time beginning of the story), very popular among young girls and who, in Austen’s opinion, filled their heads with nonsense.
5. Sanditon (2019-2023)
It may seem shocking to many to add this version to the ranking, since the author left the manuscript unfinished, when she had only eleven chapters into the story, due to her premature death. However, it is truly fascinating how, from such concise material, this production recreates the Austen universe in an excellent way. As a result, we have an almost entirely “invented” version, but one that is very respectful of the soul of the author’s other novels. We owe the colossal result to Andrew Davies, the great Austen adaptor, as he also worked on other adaptations such as the aforementioned Pride and Prejudice from 1995..
Jane Austen only had time to make a quick introduction of the characters: Charlotte Heywood, a girl of rural origin who is invited by the Parkers to a spa town, Sanditon, in gratitude for a favor that her family did them in their home. moment. In these first chapters of the story, the Parker brothers and other local residents parade, such as the rich heiress Miss Lambe, the only black character in all of Austen’s work.
From this scarce material, the production designs a fascinating story where the characters are masterfully drawn and interpreted, without breaking for a moment with the spirit of the British writer’s other novels. That is, in fact, the greatest merit of this version and the reason why it is among the favorites.
