Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #272 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-04-02
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 93 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The work of Jane Austen is being confidently mined by filmmakers at the moment, and Persuasion is the latest to be visited. And while there are some fair issues raised about just how faithful the film is to the source material, it’s nonetheless a lavish and enjoyable take on Austen’s story, with much to admire.

Much of the reason as to why this version of Persuasion works well lies with its talented cast. Rupert Penry-Jones, for instance, tackles the role of Captain Wentworth with skill, and Sally Hawkins too gives a performance to be admired. Backed by a primarily good supporting cast, the romantic drama is both watchable and engaging.

Inevitably, parallels are going to be drawn with the similarly strong 1995 television adaptation, and the truth is that some will favour one, some will favour the other. For our money, the earlier version just about nudges it, but the two takes on Persuasion both have enough ideas of their own to make them suitable companion pieces.

Diligently directed and suitably lavish to look at, Persuasion then shows little sign of dampening the enthusiasm for bringing Austen to screens of all sizes. And on the basis of the charming 93 minutes on offer here, that’s no bad thing at all. --Jon Foster

Synopsis
Though she refuses Captain Wentworth (Rupert Penry-Jones) in her youth, Anne Elliot's (Sally Hawkins) love for her handsome but penniless suitor never dies. When he returns eight years later--a wealthy and high-ranking naval officer--she has the chance to set things right. While the two leads ably carry the film, the highlight is Anthony Head's (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) hilarious turn as Anne's snobby father. A splendid rendition of Jane Austen's final novel.

Customer Reviews

Reduces an emotional masterpiece to a common romance.
This adaptation is not suitable for anyone who appreciates the novel, but it does work as a freestanding romance film. That said, certain elements are faithful to the novel; by far the best of these is Captain Wentworth, who is exactly as the book describes, and is truly the star if the film. Similarly good are Sir Walter, Elizabeth, the Musgroves (all of them) and the Crofts. Mary is humorous, if a little over-done, although her accent was at best strange. Alice Krige is competent, if over energetic and youthful, as Lady Russell. HOWEVER, the protagonist and scrript truly let this film down. Sally Hawkins is not Anne Elliot; she is lacking both grace and dignity, and her portrayal is utterly unmoving. This was surely made all the worse by the screenplay, which seemed to have been written without any contextual research. Although this is apparant throughout, the ending is really the best example of this on three counts; firstly, the way Anne runs (or rather, sprints) through Bath looking for Wentworth, in a manner entirely unbefitting a lady of Anne's class, cultivation or personality. Secondly, their kiss outside of Camden Place is equally as undecorous. Did nobody do their homework? I appreciate that Miss Hawkins' may not be aware of nineteenth century etiquette, but Jane Austen's work is reliant upon this context. It is the rigity of social expectation which drives Austen's work, and which creates the claustrophobia with which all of her protagonists struggle. One cannot help but feel that this anachronistic portrayal of 19th century England guts the meaning of what is arguably Austen's most sensitive novel. The final straw was Wentworth buying Anne Kellynch Hall as a 'wedding present'. I'd really love to know whether he bought it off Sir Walter, who could barely reconcile himself to the idea of letting it, or Mr Elliot, whose ultimate goal is the attainment of the consequence Kellynch would give him. Utterly non-sensical. All-in-all, the film does have strengths, but it is a weak adapation which conveniently ignores the facts of regency society. It reduces Austen's emotional masterpiece to a common romance film.

Fantastic adaptation
This is an adaptation and we know so before we watch it. I thought it was lovely, is easy to watch, and you are left wondering how its going to end (even if you have read the book / watched the previous adaptation you are never sure how adaptations are going to end). I particularly like the intensity of the scene where Anne informs Wentworth that there is "...no such proposal..." and the camera moves between and Anne and Wentworth showing the viewer the slow subtle changes in their faces, realising what this might mean for both of them. Miss Elliot could have been more robust as Austen's characters usually are, HOWEVER once Wentworth returns on the scene Miss Elliot is confronted with the "mistake" she made in rejecting him years previously. She was in love with him then and is still is, only now she is possibly embarrassed about what she did and also has to watch Wentworth being friendly with others and distant towards her. The actors play the changing story out very well in this adaptation. Highly recommended!

very poor adaptation
I agree with all the reviewers who do not appreciate it. Bad performances, especially that of the main character, who stammer too much for one supposed to be a reliable , resolute woman. Unwatchable the scene where she run up and down Bath!!! Appalling clothes!! Penry-Jones is the only reason for I did not switched off the telly: he is handsome and touching in his performance(though I prefer Ciaran Hinds), BUT he is a sailor and his completion appear to be too fair and delicate for one supposed to have fight war and sea!