to think that the classic Pride and Prejudice costume drama with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle is actually...um...CRAP?

[GetOrfMo1Land]

When it came out in 1995 I was addicted as anybody.

But - 16 years later it is very dated and a bit naffola, really.

Really dozy acting in some bits, and all typical twee BBC costume drama. Someone says something mildly shocking and you have the 5-way reaction shots of everyone in the room.

And the but where it goes all misty when Darcy is reading out his letter to Elizabeth is cringingly silly.

It's a bit rubbish really, or at best very of its time.

I want to watch the Ciaran Hind Persuasion now.

What did everyone think of the Kate Winslet s&S? I really liked it, apart from Emma Thompson being terribly miscast., and Hugh Grant wonderring through the whole film acting as if he had terrible piles.

Kate Winslet was wonderful as Marianne.

I thought Julia Sawalha was brilliant at the time. Having only recently read the book, my opinion hasn't changed.

I'm going to buy it from Amazon it's only £3.99 www.amazon.co.uk/Persuasion-Complete-BBC-Adaptation-DVD/dp/B00004CZSD/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1317232786&sr=1-1

DP won't see me for hours, I so love Ciaran Hinds. I only watch Above Suspicion because he is in it - I normally loathe cop dramas.

I loved S&S as well. I haven't read the book though.

I haven't read S&S for years, since the film first came out.

It is not as good as P&P and Persuasion - those are two of my favourite books, S&S is rather less unformed (afaik Jane A was a lot younger when she wrote S&S).

I cannot bear Mansfield Park, but love Emma.

I agree the actress who played Jane in the series didn't look quite right. Not saying she was ugly or plain, just didn't stand out from the other young women as an unusual 'beauty', so it was a bit odd that everyone was talking as though she did! She wasn't any prettier than the supposedly very plain Charlotte Lucas, for example.

Rosamund Pike in the film version was perfect, I thought. Really really beautiful, and had just the 'English rose' look I imagined.

Rosamund Pike, Getorf. Absolutely gorgeous and caused a storm a few years back going on stage night after night starkers in "The Hitchcock Blonde". Also a baddy in one of the Bond films.

I loved S&S. at Hugh Grant's piles acting, you are so right! I loved Alan Rickman's stillness and quiet dignity. I heart him greatly.

YABVVVU! I absolutely love it. I'm currently watching it again for probably well over the 100th time. I want to see Persuasion now too.I remember liking the book. Does anyone know what thebmore recent ITV version was like?

God, I love Persuasion - chuffed to bits when I was able to get it on DVD. As mentioned above, the way that Anne changes and blossoms over the course of the film is really subtle, with changes in clothing colour mainly. And I LOVE that bit at the end when he comes back to find her, and is asked to escort her home - that look speaks volumes!

And much as I adore Mr Penry Jones, his Persuasion was a big pile of pants. Anne Elliott would never have run through Bath, even for Wentworth! What were they thinking!

Although I hate to admit it, I rather like the KK P&P as well . Sorry.

Have to say that I didn't particularly like Crispin Bonham-Carter as Mr Bingley though. He just seemed a bit wooden or something next to Colin Firth.

Are we talking the Gwynneth Paltrow Emma? Because Mr Kneightly in that one is mine, he is so utterly gorgeous.

Both that Emma and the CH/AR Persuasion had Sophie Thompson as Miss Bates and Anne's sister respectively. I love her, she is one of those actors who just never seems to get the attention she deserves (in the shadow of her sister, Emma). I confess I once followed her around M&S is Muswell Hill. I am some sort of Jane Austin adaptation stalker, I now realise.

The psycho in your name is rather apt, then.

Yes Sophie Thompson as Miss Bates was brilliant, when she looks all hurt when Emma is spiteful to her.

Also I could cry when Alan Rickman gives Marianne some flowers, and she discards them for Willoughby's poxy daisies

Nonononononono you are wrong!

Oh, I'll certainly buy it at that price- can't wait. Persuasion was my favourite from when I read it at seventeen, because I'd had my heart broken and fancied myself as having quite lost my bloom in consequence.

I have come to prefer P&P as the years have past and I've grown less gloomy

"These are not from the hothouse".

The bit where Sir John (is it?) says, "Will none of you have Brandon now?" when Willoughby comes along. The bit where Brandon and Sir John have a heart to heart and Brandon says something like, "Why would she look at me?" Sob sob. Many a woman out there yelling, "I'll have you, Alan!"

Getorf it's not my fault they keep shopping in my shops and getting on my trains.

Lolol at you losing your bloom LeBOF. I think Andrew Davies thought otherwise when he painted you. It is an odd idea, isn't it, "losing your bloom". I'm not sure I ever had a bloom worth speaking of.

Jeremy Northam is the fellow. The lovely Mr Kneightly. Was swoonsome with Jennifer Ehle in Possession. Hated bloody Ewan McGregor in Emma though, that was a huge piece of miscasting imo.

I think he thought "Phwooar, look at the bloom on that!"

I have never had a bloom to lose, thank god.

Yes to women round the world screaming 'sod Marianne, I'll have you'

Knightly not Kneightly, ffs. I'm getting confused with Kiera the Plank. Simply cannot bear her in anything.

Didn't like either version of Emma, and not that keen on the book actually. I did like Clueless though, weirdly. And in answer to Bumbleymummy's question, the ITV version is alright, but the earlier BBC is much better. The ITV one is more hyped up and a bit bodice-rippy (RPJ striding about the in the rain etc etc), whereas the BBC is (rightfully) subtle and slow burning.

Clueless is great