No one on SDMB seemed to commend it, but the recent “Jane Eyre” miniseries on Masterpiece Theater was outstanding. Strong casting (Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens) and acting, excellent cinematography and sets/location shoots.
I’ve heard some say that this Jane was, on the main, indeed too plain, but IIRC Jane Eyre wasn’t a raving beauty. Wilson and Stephens captured their characters quite nicely.
Almost as satisfying as the BBC miniseries “Pride and Prejudice” starring Colin Firth.
Mr. Athena and I loved it! When I first saw it on the Tivo Mr. Athena wasn’t too wild about the idea, it being such a chick flick. But once we got into it, it was great.
Only complaint I had is that the actress who played Jane looks like a duck. We had great fun making quacking noises when she’d come into the scene.
There was a new Jane Eyre miniseries and I missed it? Aw.
When did it air? Anyone know if it will be repeated or if there are DVD plans?
Toby Stephens…Yowza. Perfect Mr. Rochester!
I was quite pleased that Mr R wasn’t seriously middle aged for a change (William Hurt, in the last film)-he was under 40 in the book. I can’t say, however, I was overly pleased with Toby Stephens- lacked the slight touch of menace I think Rochester needs. He played it like Rochester just pretends to be a misanthrope, rather than as someone being brought out of misanthropy by a bright young lass.
I’m truly sorry to read this. The notion of two adults watching Masterpiece Theater, yet making fun of someone because of her physical characteristics is really beyond the pale. God forbid someone with a birth defect was cast in that miniseries.
I’m not sure really how misanthropic Rochester was, though. He was definately brooding while he was at Thornfield, but he seemed (to use an old-fashioned use of the word) pretty gay when he was with his friends. He partied around Europe, picking up and dropping mistresses. He partook in amateur theatricals with his house guests. Although I don’t really know anything about it, it seems to me he was almost manic-depressive, tending to hole up at Thornfield during his depressive phases. And as a relatively young man stuck for life to a mad wife, he had cause to be angsty.
I liked this adaptation. At first I thought they made Jane a little too feisty, but I reread the book, and actually she had a very definate spine, which I’m sure is what kept her alive at Thornfield.
StG
I enjoyed it - of course, JE is one of my all-time faves (tho I haven’t read it in years.) My recollection was that I really enjoyed the earlier part of the book dealing w/ Jane’s youth and school - which I thought got somewhat shortchanged in this version.
I’ll have to read it again soon.
Didn’t strike me as classically bipolar at all. Struck me as a man tormented by his past–by one misstep that punishes him every single day. He must have felt like a pariah, and all the regrets, contrition and wishing can’t change what seemed his sad destiny.
Athena, sorry to jump on you, but your comment struck a raw nerve.
er… sorry, I guess. Good Lord, man, don’t you have any levity in your life? It’s not like we’re a pair of mouth-breathing high school students being forced to watch a show we don’t want to watch. We thoroughly enjoyed the show, but the actress was goofy looking in some scenes.
I have a feeling you really wouldn’t like TV viewing in our place. Half the fun is yelling at the TV.
Amazon says it’ll be on DVD Feb. 20.