2013 Period Drama Challenge

I decided to join the Period Drama Challenge.  Since I do love period drama productions this will be a lot of fun for me.  If you love period drama's too then think about joining the fun over at Old-Fashioned Charm's blog.

Thornton's Marlborough Mills Tote Bags & Other Classics

I was doing an online search for something else when I came upon this great website that sells tote bags, magnets, buttons, journals, toss pillows, tee shirts, aprons, etc using classic books as the theme design.  I LOVE it!!!

To order yours click on Studio Robin Productions.   Also check out Pemberley Pond and their Facebook page.

I want one of those Elizabeth Gaskell messenger bags and a Thornton Mills tote.

Jane Austen Heroines in Portrait

 

 

1995 Persuasion Review

 
I have to admit that when I first saw this adaptation of Persuasion I did not like it at all.  All I could remember about it was Amanda Roots deer in headlights look throughout the entire movie.  I was sorry that I purchased the DVD.  I decided to watch it again a few weeks later and the second time was the charm.  I enjoy watching this version of Persuasion now.  I find the storyline of this version is easier to follow than the 2007 version.  Everyone of the supporting cast did a great job as well.  This version I find to be much more moving than the 2007 movie.     

Ciaran Hinds is perfect as Captain Frederick Wentworth.  He has the windswept look of a man who has spent years at sea.  Some people feel that Ciaran was too old to play Captain Wentworth.  At the time that this movie was filmed Ciaran was ten years older than what Captain Wentworth would be at the time he returned from the sea.  The ten year difference does show and I found it to be a little disconcerting when I watched this the first time.  Now it doesn't bother me.     

     Ciaran Hinds as Captain Frederick Wentworth

Amanda Root is Anne Eliot.  Her interpretation of the character is more docile than Sally Hawkins' version but I still enjoyed her in the role.  Amanda Root has very large expressive eyes.  

The supporting cast is also very good.  Sophie Thompson who plays Anne's married sister Mary Musgrove does a superb job.  Mary is jealous of Anne and she is also eccentric.
 

After over hearing a conversation that Anne is having with another man Captain Wentworth decides to write a letter to Anne revealing that after all the years that have passed his love for her has remained constant.  It is one of the most beautiful love letters to ever.

 Captain and Mrs. Frederick Wentworth

 

2007 Persuasion Movie Review

This afternoon I saw for the first time the 2007 television version of Persuasion.  Rupert Penry-Jones stars as Captain Wentworth and Sally Hawkins stars as Anne Eliot.  I am not a fan of this version at all.  I wanted to love it, but I feel that the storyline was rushed which did not do justice to it.  I also did not find this version as moving as the one that was done in 1995 starring Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root.

Rupert Penry-Jones is handsome, but he does not look like the windswept Captain Wentworth would look after spending so many years at sea.  In this version of Persuasion Anne and the Captain hardly speak to one another throughout the entire movie.

 

Sally Hawkins portrays Anne Eliot.  She did a good job playing Anne.  I like Amanda Root too but Sally Hawkin's interpretation of Anne was a little bit more animated which I liked.     

   

 

If I had not read the book I would have been confused watching this movie.  It really needed to slow down.  There are scenes near the end where Anne is running through Bath that many people who saw this movie did not like.  It really didn't  bother me, but it would be highly unlikely that a woman during this time period would be running like a bat out of hell through Bath like that.  

I read someplace online a few months ago that Captain Wentworths Letter is not included in this version.  That is not correct.  The Letter is included. but it is done differently and not as effectively.  This is when you see Anne running through town.  When Anne finally catches up with Captain Wentworth to accept his second proposal they kiss but it was lame.  Richard Armitage should have shown them how to do it.  The kiss at the end of the BBC North & South is the best onscreen kiss ever.

 

1995 BBC Pride & Prejudice Review

In 1994 with a budget of 9.6 million dollars the BBC filmed what would become one of the best loved versions of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice.  This production stars Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennett.  Do I like this adaptation better?  It is really challenging for me to say that I love this one over the 2005 movie.  I love both versions and feel that each one has its own merits.  This one follows the book more closely than the 2005 movie.

Colin Firth is quite handsome as Mr Darcy.  He fits the description of Mr. Darcy more than Matthew McFadyen does.  I love both of these actors in the role though.  I do not prefer one over the other.  I can easily picture Richard Armitage making a great Mr. Darcy as well. 

  
    I love, love, love Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennett.  To me she was more like the Elizabeth Bennett in the book.  Jennifer brought a graceful elegance to the character.  Some people thought that she looked too old to be 20 year old Lizzy.  I do think she looks older than 20 but I was fine with that.  Mr Darcy is supposed to be 28 and he did not look 28 to me so why single out Jennifer Ehle for not appearing to be 20.  On Camera many people appear older than they really are.

  
The opening scene shows Elizabeth taking a walk as she normally does.  Elizabeth is enjoying her walk and at one point she starts skipping which is a reminder that she is still a young girl.   It is important to remember that even though Elizabeth is more mature than most girls her age she still is a young girl.  I do not want to see that taken away from the character no matter who portrays her.

 

There is great chemistry between Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.  While filming the movie Colin and Jennifer starting seeing one another, so that could be one of the reasons why they blended so well. 

Colin Firth looks very sexy in period clothes.  He is well fitted and looks quite dashing.  Jennifer Ehle is also elegantly attired unlike Keira Knightly in the 2005 movie.  The Bennett's were not destitute although they are much lower on funds than other families.  

 

 The Bennett sisters

Mr Darcy and Mr. Bingley

 I love the costumes.  Costuming is one of the reasons I love period dramas.

Mrs Bennett and her husband Mr. Bennett.  Both of these actors played their part well.

Mr. Wickham and Lydia Bennett

I love the scene where Elizabeth comes upon Mr. Darcy waiting for her to give her his letter after she rejects his marriage proposal.

You can watch the marriage proposal scene on this video and compare it to the one in the 2005 movie.  I know that a lot of women love this one but it in no way compares to the passion in the 2005 movie version.

Mr. Darcy shows that he does know how to relax a little bit and jumps into the lake. 

Elizabeth begins to soften towards Mr. Darcy and the change is lovely to see.  Mr. Darcy is obviously in love and Elizabeth is discovering her budding love for him. 

Miss Elizabeth with Lady Catherine de Bourgh.  Elizabeth does a great job putting Lady Catherine in her place.

This is the second proposal scene.  It is done more in keeping with the spirit of the book.

The double wedding was a nice touch.