 | |
List Price: $19.95 | | Label: A&E Home Video
Salesrank: 479
Released: October 26, 1999 |
| Our Price: $8.92 |
| Used Price: $12.58 |
|
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
Emma Woodhouse imagines that she dominates those around her in the small town of Highbury, but her matchmaking creates problems for herself and others.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 26-OCT-1999
Media Type: DVD
Description of Emma (A&E, 1997):
Similar to the equally excellent Valmont, this version of Jane Austen's classic novel had the misfortune of following a sumptuous big-star version with Gwyneth Paltrow, which was released the summer before. And, just as 1989's Valmont suffered comparisons with Dangerous Liaisons, inevitably these Emmas were held up next to one another.
This delicious Emma concerns a young woman of financial substance (Kate Beckinsale), who fancies herself a matchmaker, especially with shy Miss Harriet Smith (Samantha Morton, who also appears in A&E's Jane Eyre). In Emma's swirling world of social activity and social consciousness, one's position and stature is a constant preoccupation. But to her credit, Emma, albeit a busybody, has compassion for all classes, and for her kindly but hypochondriacal father (Bernard Hepton).
This miniseries is more subtle than the grand theatrical release, is truer to the novel, and gives a richer explanation of the relationship between Emma associates Jane Fairfax (beautiful Olivia Williams of Rushmore) and the duplicitous Frank Churchill (Raymond Coulthard). Of course, at the center, as in all Austen stories, is the romance between the unsuspecting leading lady and an unlikely, but wholly suitable gentleman. In this case, it's Emma and her brother-in-law, the righteous (as played here) Mr. Knightley (Mark Strong). Strong's Mr. Knightley is more reserved, less coy than Jeremy Northam's; he plays Knightley more like Mr. Darcy (the leading man in Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which A&E also offers in a wonderful miniseries). Beckinsale proves to be utterly delightful and in no way should this excellent adaptation be ignored. --N.F. Mendoza
Emma (A&E, 1997) Reviews:
Love Anything Austen 
2008-06-21 - I love Jane Austen! EMMA is a wonderful movie. Please read the book and see the movie....it's great to see the characters come to life.
I prefer the full screen to the wide screen versions though.
Emma (A&E, 1997)
2008-06-17 - I saw this on PBS after I had read the book. It is very faithful to the book, so I decided to buy a copy for my home video library.
Best Emma yet!
2008-06-15 - My mom, sister and I all enjoyed this version of Emma very much! I just love the romance it has to it. Other people have said Kate Beckinsale's Emma is annoying/dark/whatever but I thought she was absolutely perfect. The rest of the cast was very well chosen too, especially Mark Strong as Mr. Knightley... there was great chemistry there. My mom thought he looked too young but I don't care. :) Another big reason why I liked this version better than the Gwyneth Paltrow one was that it's more true to the book, both literally and in spirit. The GP version just seemed a little too Hollywood to me, to molded to fit the masses.
Of the three versions of Emma I've seen, this is my favorite! I'd say watch this one first, the GP version second, and don't even bother with the others, unless you're feeling very tolerant.
Well done, indeed!
2008-06-13 - I own three Emma's: this one, Paltrow's and another BBC production from the 70's. The mettlesome Kate Beckensale is perfectly cast opposite Mark Stong as Knightley who brings needful gravitas to the role. The deception of the pretentious Frank Churchill is stylishly carried off by Raymond Coulthard. And who could not admire the lovely Olivia Williams as the silent suffering Miss Jane Fairfax? The talented Samantha Morton is the ill-advised Miss Harriet Smith. None detract from this virtually flawless production.
Only one thing could improve: A release in anamorphic widescreen as I've seen aired on public television instead of this full-screen (1.33:1) version.
Best Emma 
2008-06-08 - This is the best version of Emma and I own 3 of them. Most believable.
