Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #647 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.

Move over Darcy and Rhett!
I am absolutely addicted to this version of Jane Eyre, having watched it another 4 times this last week alone! And I'm not ashamed to admit it either! It's perfect in every way and there's nothing left out of importance. O.K. it could have done with showing more of the young Jane at Lowood Institution, but it wasn't a necessity.

This tells the story of Jane Eyre, a poor, downtrodden girl who after becoming an orphan as a baby, is sent to live with her Aunt and Uncle and their children. The Uncle passes away and Jane is left to the cruelty of her Aunt and cousins. After 10 years of bad treatment, her Aunt sends her to Lowood School and turns her back on Jane. Jane stays at Lowood for eight years when she finally manages to escape by advertising for a job as Governess. Off she trots to Thornfield to care for and teach Adele.

The master of the house, (Mr Rochester), is always away from home, and very rarely stays more than a few days at a time. But this soon changes when he meets Jane. Their relationship blossoms but always in an unspoken way. Mr Rochester is a moody, brooding man and one can never tell what mood he'll be in from one day til the next. He harbours a dark secret, one which could ruin his relationship with Jane, as well as his many admirers and friends.

Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson who play the leads are perfectly cast and you can really believe their love story is real. The chemistry is simply sizzling! The best scenes are when Rochester confesses his love for Jane under the tree and proposes, and when he is trying to get Jane to run away with him to his villa, and also when Jane finally goes back to him after being separated from him. Oh, who am I kidding, I love EVERY scene they're in together!

The rest of the cast are fantastic too. Adele is sweet as is Mrs Fairfax the house keeper. Miss Ingram and her mother are perfect too, they are pure nastiness and houghty with it. The sets are beautiful as are the costumes. It brought the book to life just as I had imagined it when I read it.

This is truly an amazing version and my 1983 copy with Timothy Dalton is now in second place! Do yourself a favour and buy it, especially if you have a loved one who adores romances. I will be getting many more pleasurable viewings out of my copy, that's for sure!