Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #768 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-02-05
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Colour, PAL, Subtitled
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 233 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Continuing the BBC’s unrivalled reputation for costume drama, their new adaptation of Jane Eyre proved to be one of the television triumphs of 2006. Based, as you’d expect, on the Charlotte Bronte book of the same name, this two-disc set brings together the full series, spread across the best part of four sumptuous hours.

It’s a faithful adaptation, with Ruth Wilson giving an exceptional performance in the title role. Mr Rochester’s boots, meanwhile, are filled by Toby Stephenson, and both prove to be wise choices. Backed up by an excellent supporting cast, they’re also supported by some quite superb scenery, warm photography and skilful, at times neatly understated the direction, that gives the story space to develop.

Is the best adaptation of Jane Eyre? It certainly builds a compelling case, and while there’s the odd slight misstep along the way, it’s primarily a terrific interpretation of a classic romance. Perhaps the only real disappointment is that the DVD release itself doesn’t offer more in the way of added features, but given the presentation and quality of the main attraction, that’s unlikely, rightly, to deter those in search of some classic BBC drama. --Jon Foster

DVD Description
DVD includes Audio Navigation and Description on both discs

Synopsis
2006 adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's passionate and tender story of the love between a fiercely independent governess and her brusque, mysterious employer.

Customer Reviews

An excellent BBC production
This TV production of the famous Bronte novel Jane Eyre follows a line of many others--and this is without a doubt one of the best.

The story is clear and is almost parallel to the novel, which is sometimes questionable in these dramas which are adapted for the television-sometimes they are edited to make the story seem more life like, or to make it more entertaining.

The cast chosen in this drama are superb; Ruth Wilson portrays a modest, emotive Jane while her costar Toby Stephenson plays a powerful and masculine Mr. Rochester. The supporting cast are great too, and all contribute to a fantastically created drama. They all know how to act, which is an important part, but also create wildly emotional scenes which coud melt a heart of stone.

The locations in the novel are beautiful, romantic countrysides and stimulating Sargasso and Wild Spanish nightlife areas such as rich parties and warm hotels.

I only have one complaint about this drama, and that is that the representation of the young Jane used for the first half an hour or so of the whole drama is rather unlikely. The actress used is too modern for this character to come off well--but as this is just an opinion I feel it does not deduct from the overall performance.

Overall, this DVD is a good introduction to the novel of Jane Eyre, and perhaps to some of the Bronte sisters' other works as well.

A superlative production
This is by far the best adaptation of the book and has not been afraid to focus the story totally on the two lovers. I'm sure traditionalists will be unhappy with that but I adored it.

Ruth Wilson is a fine Jane but its Toby Stephens who amazed me with a performance of such skill. He created a three dimensional Rochester, not a cardboard cut out as in so many of the previous versions of Jane Eyre. He's created a fully rounded character, one that shows the inner suffering and conscience in turmoil. I particularly like the humour he brought to the role and vulnerability.

Who can fail to be moved by Rochester's reactions when he sees Jane again. I can't remember being so emotionally caught up in a performance. In those final scenes Toby had to convey such a range of emotions. Seeing the tears fill his eyes and roll down his cheek and then that laugh which contained such bitter joy - it was an amazing piece of acting. Its definitely a case of move over Colin Firth and hello Toby Stephens.

I urge you to obtain the DVD as its a treasure not to be missed. While 6 episodes would have given more time to flesh out the early part of Jane's life I'm personally glad they've focused on Jane and Rochester's relationship.

One - if not THE - Best JE So Far
I have watched the four episodes of this production on the BBC, finishing last night, and I have to say this is one of the most enjoyable period dramas I have seen for years! Hats off to the absolutely gorgeous Toby Stephens (Mr Rochester) and Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre) - their portrayals of the characters was superb and the chemistry between them was electric!

Well done also to director Susanna White: her production had all the poignancy, sympathy and suspense combined with teasing, romance and lighthearted banter that fills the book.

The only reason this production does not rate a 5 is that I felt it could have been better had it been filmed in five parts. Quite a bit happens to Jane and Rochester in the last quarter of the book which had to be glossed over or completely left out in order to finish the story in 4 episodes. It is a weakness of the book that a set of new and significant characters are introduced so near to the end of the story, and there was very little time to get to know or like them in this film. A 5th part could also have allowed a lot more to have been made of the fire at Thornfield and the story of it - including her own disappearance and Rochester's reaction to it - as related to Jane upon her return. Maybe it could also have included scenes of Jane and Rochester's second attempt at marriage, obviously providing a contrast to the first!

However, despite the less intense or thorough last episode, I would recommend this film to anyone. The story is classic, the film shot amongst beautiful scenery, with a fiesty heroine and broodingly sexy hero (never a bad thing!) surrounded by suspense and mystery. There's something for everyone here, it's a new essential for the film collection. Buy it and enjoy!!