Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2051 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-03-19
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Synopsis
In this adaptation of Jane Austen's classic book, poverty-stricken Fanny Price (Billie Piper) is sent away to live with her wealthy uncle and aunt at Mansfield Park. As she struggles to adapt to her new lifestyle she begins to attract the attentions of suitors, learning about the sexual politics of high society along the way.

Customer Reviews

A garbled mess
A poor, innocent and sweet girl by the name of Fanny Price is fostered by her wealthy relatives. Her family consists of an uncle and 2 aunts as well as 2 cousin sisters who are the epitome of beauty, grace and glamour but are spoilt brats. They along with her eldest cousin Tom (James D'Arcy) pay her little attention but fortunately she suffices herself with the company of cousin Edmund (Blake Ritson). Fanny seems content and happy even though she is continuously reminded of her roots but things become really prickly when the fashionable Crawford`s move into the neighbourhood.

For those who have read the book and were anticipating a high standard production were least to say very disappointed. This adaptation for Jane Austen purists (they make or break an adaptation) would have been nothing short of hellish. This adaptation manages to strip away a lot of Jane Austen society values in an attempt to appear more modern. For example, Miss Crawford attempts to seduce if you like Edmund in front of the whole family by revealing her ankle and inappropriate parts of her body. As you can imagine the kiddies had their eyes firmly shut at that point. Billie Piper herself was I think miscast as Fanny and I suspect mainly because of her celebrity status being established - thus it was a ploy for ITV to wrench away one of BBC's most popular stars. Even Billie Piper hasn't got over the transfer (and don't get me started on Zoë Slater), indeed, it seemed as though I was watching Rose in a corset - she was too feisty (I half expected David Tennant to come bursting through the door). Her performance could have been saved if the chemistry was good, but instead it was oddly lopsided at times and even Edmund looked bewildered as to why he fell in love with her. And no wonder, she seems incredibly independent of him, not the understanding and knowing girl as in the book. Fanny was irritating not sweet as in the book, where the reader is quite disgusted by Mr Crawford's proposal to her, they are a mismatch! In this adaptation though, it seems that they would make a very good couple (gasp!)

On a positive note, they are performances that should be credited especially the three young males - Edmund, Henry and Tom. If this had a better script (perhaps with the BBC) then they would have most definitely been praised to the skies. All three of them play their characters with precision, and get under the skin with the short time that they had. I considered them the lifeline of the whole thing (I would buy it just to watch them again :). If Mansfield Park, however, is one of your favourite works then STAY AWAY.,

May not be overly exciting but its enjoyable nevertheless...
This adaptation of Mansfield Park may not be perfect but it is romantic, heartfelt and worth a watch. Admitedly, it isn't as romantic or funny as ITV's adaptation of Northanger Abbey but this, to me, is largely to do with the content of the Austen's story.

Fanny Price is not the world's most exciting herione but Billy Piper has made her as interesting and spirited as the book will allow. If you're looking for a high drama, flawless adaptation then this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a flavour of Austen and are a fan of Billie Piper then you should enjoy this.

Awful
What an amazing book, this adaptation is awful, skimming off all the details that make the book, producing a fast and frustrating watch. Not recommended at all!