Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9683 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-11-07
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 300 minutes

Synopsis
Poverty-stricken Fanny Price goes to live with her prosperous aunt and cousins at their country home. As she struggles to adapt to her new lifestyle she begins to attract the attentions of suitors. A BBC adaptation of the novel by Jane Austen.

Customer Reviews

This adaptation portraits the REAL Fanny Price
Fanny Price is often depicted as the least loveable heroine of Jane Austen's books. She is timid, shy, has low self esteem and no sense of wit or wickedness like Elizabeth Bennett, but a strong sense of right and wrong in shades of black and white, rather than grey forgiveness for past mistakes or follies.

The adaptations of 2000 and 2007 bear no resemblance to the character of Fanny Price from the book. The REAL Fanny is not tomboy-ish, or rebellious, she does not giggle or flirt. She is prim and prude, and steadfast in what she holds to be right.

It takes a little time to get to know Fanny Price, and perhaps a little longer to really appreciate her. I have watched all adapations several times, but by far my favourite is this version with Sylvestra Le Touzel. She understands Fanny and understands how to portray her. Her acting is impeccable, even if it seems stilted and wooden in parts. If it does, then only because Fanny Price, as I understand her from the book, behaves like this. Sylvestra makes Fanny Price believable, the other actresses (whilst good actresses) make Fanny Price appear like a stranger and their portrayal bears no resemblance to the heroine from the book.

The other actors are also excellent in this adaptation. Bernard Hepton is outstanding as Sir Thomas Bertram, Anna Massey the real nightmare as Aunt Norris, Jackie Smith-Wood sublime as Mary Crawford... the list goes on.
The more I watch this adapation the more it grows on me and the more I believe in the people.

My advice... if you want to watch a film that matches the book, then buy this adaptation and give the others a miss.

The REAL Fanny Price
I couldn't agree more with Booklover, the first reviewer. I am quite sick of everyone trying to make Fanny Price saucy and brash, which seem to be prerequisites for a female heroine these days. This film's Fanny - Austen's (and thus the real) Fanny - gives us another type of heroine: quiet, shy, insecure, like many of us, who in the end musters the strength to stand up for what she believes in when all around her fall. This film portrays her without cowtowing to modern sensibilities. Fanny is like the shy, quiet girl in the class that no-one can really figure out and some think must be uppity. Misunderstood, bearing secret dreams and passions, emotionally abused by her adoptive family, she represents the part of the population who is not Elizabeth Bennett or Emma Woodhouse and never will be - and doesn't necessarily want to be! She shows us that you can be strong without shouting and that you can stand your ground against your peers and society without standing on a soapbox - would that more people could learn to do this!

As for its length - since when has a real Jane Austen fan ever complained about an adaptation being too long!? (Rather the contrary)

Subtle and Observant.
Mansfield Park's heroine isn't for everyone. Fanny Price is not only a prig but at first glance is a trifle dim. As it turns out Fanny is as courageous as she is kind. If viewers take the time and have the patience this subtle and observant version of Mansfield Park will grow on them. It is very like the book so be cautioned: this production is theatrical (stagy)in style and is leisurely. There are 6 episodes and the plot is slight but most Austin aficionados will find it a treat. It has a superior script and is sympathetically and well cast. (The Crawfords are the entertainment highlight)
If ONLY the superlative 90's feature film productions of Emma, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion had been given this much time in a 312 min. format.

If your alone on a rainy afternoon this Mansfield Park makes very pleasant company. Pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy.