My list of watched and to-watch Jane Austen adaptations (+biography/documentary). Purely modern-day setting adaptations won’t be included. This list is for historicals only, or ones that have an historical “vibe” to them.
Top Three Faves:
Stories: (#1) Persuasion, (#2) Pride and Prejudice, (#3) Sense and Sensibility
Heroes: (#1) Fitzwilliam Darcy, (#2) Colonel Brandon, (#3) Frederick Wentworth
Heroines: (#1) Anne Elliot, (#2) Elizabeth Bennet, (#3) Elinor Dashwood
Villains: (#1) George Wickham, (#2) Lady Catherine de Bourgh, (#3) John Willoughby
My Introduction to Jane Austen:
When I was in high school, our English Lit. teacher had us read Pride and Prejudice, and then we watched the 1980 Mini-Series adaptation. While I enjoyed the book, I absolutely adored seeing the story and characters…
My list of watched and to-watch Jane Austen adaptations (+biography/documentary). Purely modern-day setting adaptations won’t be included. This list is for historicals only, or ones that have an historical “vibe” to them.
Top Three Faves:
Stories: (#1) Persuasion, (#2) Pride and Prejudice, (#3) Sense and Sensibility
Heroes: (#1) Fitzwilliam Darcy, (#2) Colonel Brandon, (#3) Frederick Wentworth
Heroines: (#1) Anne Elliot, (#2) Elizabeth Bennet, (#3) Elinor Dashwood
Villains: (#1) George Wickham, (#2) Lady Catherine de Bourgh, (#3) John Willoughby
My Introduction to Jane Austen:
When I was in high school, our English Lit. teacher had us read Pride and Prejudice, and then we watched the 1980 Mini-Series adaptation. While I enjoyed the book, I absolutely adored seeing the story and characters come to life on film. I asked our teacher for a copy of the VHS, and he happily burned one for me. There was no place to buy it in the Bahamas, and the internet didn’t exist yet, so “bootleg” was the only option. 😛 That VHS tape is long-dead, but I still have (and treasure) it. It sparked a huge passion for Jane Austen stories (and historicals in general) that is still going strong today.
Most Loved Adaptations:
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(#1) Persuasion (1995) - Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds are perfection, and I just love everything about this adaptation. And the letter… Oh my god, the fervent, whispered letter! As I’ve gotten older, this story/film has taken over (from P&P) as my #1 favourite. I rewatch it multiple times every year.
(#2) Pride and Prejudice (1980) - My very first Austen adaptation. I have huge nostalgia-love for this one, but wouldn’t really recommend it as a first-time viewing for younger people who are new to P&P. However, David Rintoul is the best Mr. Darcy. *swoon* That man is hella attractive, and does “poised, cold, haughty, arrogant dick” so well. :D
(#3) Pride and Prejudice (1995) - A beautiful, wonderfully-done adaptation. This is my recommendation for a younger P&P newbie.
(#4) Sense and Sensibility (1995) - Emma Thompson is amazing as Elinor Dashwood, and Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon gives me the shivers (of the very best kind).
Least Favourite Adaptations:
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(#1) Persuasion (2022) - The only positive to this steaming pile of garbage existing in the world is that it’s a prime example of how not to adapt an Austen story, especially one like Persuasion. Hopefully, the way it’s being shit-on by the vast majority will make others think twice about butchering her works in similar ways.
(#2) Pride & Prejudice (2005) - Too short to be satisfying, and I despised how they changed Mr. Collins from a laughably ridiculous idiot into a cringy, nasty pervert.
🔺 = On my Watchlist
?★ = Need to do a re-watch
◉ = Not listed on LB
[EMMA]
Emma. (2020) Movie - 4★
Emma (2009) Mini-Series - ?★
Emma (1996) Movie - 4.5★
🔺 Emma (1996) TV-Movie
🔺 Emma (1972) Mini-Series
🔺 Emma (1960) Mini-Series ◉
🔺 Emma (1957) TV-Episode ◉
[LADY SUSAN]
🔺 Love & Friendship (2016) Movie
[MANSFIELD PARK]
Mansfield Park (2007) TV-Movie - 3★
Mansfield Park (1983) Mini-Series - ?★
🔺 Mansfield Park (1999) Movie
🔺 Mansfield Park (1997) Mini-Series ◉
[NORTHANGAR ABBEY]
Northangar Abbey (2007) TV-Movie - ?★
Northangar Abbey (1986) TV-Episode - ?★
🔺 Northangar Abbey (1952) TV-Episode
[PERSUASION]
Persuasion (2022) Movie - 1.5★
Persuasion (2007) TV-Movie - 3.5★
Persuasion (1995) TV-Episode - 5★
🔺 Persuasion (1971) Mini-Series
[PRIDE AND PREJUDICE]
Pride & Prejudice (2005) Movie - 2.5★
Pride and Prejudice (1995) Mini-Series - 5★
Pride and Prejudice (1980) Mini-Series - 5★
Pride and Prejudice (1940) Movie - ?★
🔺 Pride and Prejudice (1967) Mini-Series ◉
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Death Comes to Pemberley (2013) Mini-Series - 4★
Lost in Austen (2008) Mini-Series - 5★
🔺 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) Movie
🔺 Austenland (2013) Movie
[SANDITON]
Sanditon (2019) Series - 4★ ◉
[SENSE & SENSIBILITY]
Sense and Sensibility (2008) Mini-Series - 4.5★
Sense and Sensibility (1995) Movie - 5★
Sense and Sensibility (1981) Mini-Series - ?★
🔺 Sense and Sensibility (1971) Mini-Series
[BIOGRAPHY & DOCUMENTARY]
🔺 Jane Austen: Behind Closed Doors (2017) Documentary
🔺 Becoming Jane (2007) Biographical Movie
🔺 Miss Austen Regrets (2007) Biographical Movie
🔺 The Real Jane Austen (2002) Dramatized Documentary
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Master List:
⚬ [0] - My Master List of… Lists
