Jane Austen BBC Romance Books, TV shows, Movies

In 2007 the BBC produced a biographical drama about the life of Jane Austen, played by actress Jane Hathaway.The movie was based on Anne's life at the time she was about 20 years old, living in a rural English community with her family; her father, Rev. Austen, mother, brothers, and her older sister, Cassandra.

Cassandra is engaged and Jane's family would like her to become engaged as well. They chose Mr. Wisley, an older man, as a suitable match. Jane has no interest in marriage at this point as she wishes to be a writer or a musician. She then meets Tom Lefroy, a young man her own age but poor. Jane becomes increasingly attracted to Tom but the times in which she lives create problems for their romance.

In 2007 the BBC produced a biographical drama about the life of Jane Austen, played by actress Olivia Williams.The movie was based on the last few years of Anne's life as she looks back on her life and the choices she made. Her niece, Fanny, asks her to help find a suitable suitor which begins Anne thinking about how she never married and what life could have been if she had accepted proposals.

The book Sense and Sensibility was published in 1811.
Several film adaptations of the book have been made. I am noting the latest two versions.

1995 - BBC movie starring Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood and Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood
2008 - BBC mini series starring Hattie Morahan as Elinor Dashwood and Charity Wakefield as Marianne Dashwood

Two sisters in 18th century England, try to find happiness in two different ways. Elinor represents sense; she follows the required manners of the day. Marianne represents sensibility; she is outspoken and emotional. They learn through their romances and relationship with each other, that they must balance sense and sensibility.

The book Pride & Prejudice was published in 1813.
Several film adaptations of the book have been made. I am noting the latest two versions.

1995 - BBC mini series starring Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet
2005 - BBC movie starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet

Five sisters; Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia Bennet live near the fictional town of Meryton in Hertfordshire, near London. A wealthy young man, Mr. Bingley, and his best friend, Mr. Darcy, arrive in their neighborhood. Elizabeth falls in love with Mr. Darcy but she is beneath his class. They must both overcome their own pride and prejudice.

The book Mansfield Park was published in 1814.
This book is considered to be a romantic comedy drama.
Several film adaptations of the book have been made. I am noting the latest two versions.

1999 - BBC movie starring Hannah Taylor-Gordon as Young Fanny and Frances O'Connor as Fanny Price
2007 - BBC movie starring Julia Joyce as Young Fanny and Billie Piper as Fanny Price

Fanny Price is a poor 10 year old girl who is sent to live with a wealthy relative, Sir Thomas, at Mansfield Park estate. She is a writer with a wonderful imagination. She becomes close to Edmund, Sir Thomas' younger son. A neighbour, Henry Crawford, begins courting Fanny and Edmund courts Henry's sister. However, revelations about the characters will end these courtships. Will Fanny and Edmund, who have been so close, recognize they love each other?

The book Emma was published in 1815.
This book is considered to be a romantic comedy drama.
Several film adaptations of the book have been made. I am noting the latest three versions.

1996 - Miramax movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma
1996 - BBC movie starring Kate Beckinsale as Emma
2009 - BBC mini series starring Romola Garai as Emma

Emma Woodhouse is a beautiful, rich 21 year old woman who lives in Highbury and loves to be a matchmaker so she spends her time meddling in the love lives of others. She decides to match for her new friend, Harriet Smith, with the Reverend Elton, but in the end, her matchmaking efforts lead to characters who each love someone else although Emma doesn't realize this. Emma must finally realize that there is one person whom she loves.

The book Northanger Abbey was published in 1818.
Several film adaptations of the book have been made. I am noting the latest two versions.

2008 Masterpiece Theatre mini series starring Felicity Jones as Catherine Morland
2005 BBC movie starring Katharine Schlesinger

Catherine Morland is a 17-year-old girl who has not experienced life and so assumes life is the same as in Gothic novels. She always sees the best in people, but soon learns that real life is quite different from her novels. She travels to Bath with a couple to be introduced to society and meets the Tilneys and the Thorpes. Invited to visit the Tilney estate, Northanger Abbey, she only thinks of romance but learns that in society, status, class and money are the an important requirement when it comes to love.

The book Persuasion was published in 1818.
Several film adaptations of the book have been made. I am noting the latest two versions.

1995 - BBC movie starring Amanda Root as Anne and Ciarán Hinds as Captain Wentworth
2007 - BBC TV play starring Sally Hawkins as Anne and Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Wentworth

Anne Elliot has fallen in love with a navy officer, Frederick Wentworth. Her father, sister and older friend, cause the break-up of the two as Frederick is poor. Seven years later, at age 27, Anne meets her former fiance once again. She has never married and Frederick is now wealthy but can not forgive her for rejecting him in the past.

The plot centers around unrequited love. Will the two lovers recognize they love and need each other and be reunited?