As I posted several months ago, starting on January 13th, PBS will be showing an adaptation of all six Jane Austen novels and at least one finalized documentary/life in review type thingy.
This should be exciting news, but I just can't get interested. Let's look at what PBS will be airing:
- Three new ITV productions:
- Mansfield Park
- Northanger Abbey
- Persuasion
- One new BBC production:
- Sense and Sensibility
- Repeats of earlier adaptations:
- Pride and Prejudice (1995)
- Emma (TV 1995/6)
The new ITV adaptations have already aired in the U.K. and did not receive great reviews. TV and print critiques gave mixed reviews, but most fan reviews were negative. A lot of this had to do with poor quality, such as filming all of Mansfield Park at one location, poor scripts, and incorrect behaviors and costumes for the time. From what I read, Mansfield Park was the weakest adaptation and Persuasion was the most enjoyed (and apparently the one in which the money was put in). So, can't say I'm thrilled to see any of these, but I'll watch and evaluate for myself.
The new BBC production of S&S just started airing in the U.K. as a three-parter. (That doesn't mean it will have three parts when shown in the U.S.; PBS likes to use creative editing.) This screenplay (and ITV's Northanger Abbey) were written by Andrew Davies, who wrote the 1995 P&P. Davies has stated several times that Austen needs sexing up and action'ing up. So, S&S starts with a sex scene...although I understand it is not graphic. Gee, a sex scene in Jane Austen...does that sound right to you? (And it all started with a wet shirt for Colin Firth in P&P and Davies has unwound since then. Not to be left out, Northanger Abbey has a bathtub scene.) Yes, the book does tell us that there was an affair, but Austen never doesn't include it in the book. Again, I haven't seen this, and initial fan reaction is mixed, and I'll watch, but I'm keeping my expectations tightly in check.
PBS is also going to air Emma and P&P for the first time (both originally aired in the U.S. on A&E) . Since A&E has released multiple editions of the P&P for sale, I wonder how many people haven't already seen this. I more strongly wonder if they'll run this very popular adaptation during a pledge drive. (LOL!) I reviewed the Emma here (PBS is showing the Beckinsale version, not Paltrow).
Since I can't get my interested fluffed, I only have two links to share for more information. PBS has information here and for fan reviews and analysis of print reviews, check out the last few months/days on AustenBlog.
Let us know what you think if you watch the productions!
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