Your favorite Jane Eyre adaptation

[kavalkada]

I have probably seen all of them, it is one of those books I could read over and over again.
My favorite is Zelah Clarke, Timothy Dalton version, although I must admit I usually skip first few episodes and start watching the moment Jane comes to Thornfield.
What is your favorite adaptation?

The BBC one with Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens. I watch it at least once a year.

Mine's the Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton one as well. My edition of Jane Eyre has them on the cover, must have bought it when it was first shown on the TV.

Timothy Dalton no question. That man can brood like no other 🥰

I completely love the 1973 version with Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston. The production values are not great, but the writing and performances are excellent, and Jayston is the best Rochester ever! I also love Sangdil, the 1952 Bollywood version, and there's a radio version with Meg Wynn Owen which is fab. (As you can tell this is my pet subject!)

I remember watching the Zelah Clarke/Dalton one as a child, and enjoyed it, and for me it's always my favourite.

Jane Eyre is such a troublesome story though. Rochester is bloody toxic, and I don't find his character attractive at all. But then that's the Brontes for you I suppose.

One version I really liked was the National Theatre stage version, my word that's creative and exciting! Really really good (if you like theatre). I saw it live twice and then again on the NT at Home streaming service.

My favourite thing about the Clarke/Dalton one is that they look perfectly cast as a pair. Zelah Clarke really is tiny compared to Dalton, and really has the whole little and plain thing down perfectly (although she was far from plain).

Bbc Toby stephens and Ruth Wilson. It's heartbreakingly romantic yet torturous.

Sometimes I just watch the final episode where she returns, when I'm feeling crap

Yes. Definitely the Timothy Dalton version.
They're perfectly cast in that one.

Oh, yes I agree. I had a crap day today and now I'm waiting 11 pm till my shift ends. Thank God I work from home because I plan to put Timothy to help me fall asleep.

This!

My all time favourite, the others don’t compare. I watch it every year.

Where do you watch it?

I completely love the 1973 version with Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston. The production values are not great, but the writing and performances are excellent, and Jayston is the best Rochester ever!

Me too, probably helps I was 12 when it first aired. The music (elgars introduction and allegro for strings) may have been anachronistic but worked well.

I've never seen the dalton one - I caught a few minutes in which he seemed wooden (same problem in James Bond) and of course he's far too good looking.

I recorded it about 5 years ago and saved it on my Virgin box. It's often on Drama around Christmas time.

Toby Stephens swoooooooooooon

It's available on UKTV Play.

Masterpiece Theatre with Ruth Wilson, it’s brilliant, though I love the story and at least like most.

I have found my people!

my favourite adaptation is with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender

I like the Michael Fassbender one - sorry! I mean he’s FAR too good looking for Rochester of course but that man makes me weak at the knees and the chemistry between the two was off the charts.

Also I like that they picked a plain girl to play Jane. Often it’s actually a pretty girl who we’re told is plain when she isn’t.

I always think the good measure of a classic adaption is: “Does it look like it’s fucking freezing cold the whole time”. If yes then it’s halfway there 😂

What I would like to see is an adaptation that shows just how lost and close to death Jane got after leaving Thornfield and the struggle Rochester had to find her and how she had to sell her clothes to eat. It’s my favourite part of the book and never seen an adaptation that shows it well.

Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens for me - love it!

The National Theatre one is absolutely wonderful. We saw it live and then watched it again on streaming. Best one ever.

I also love Ruth Wilson as Jane.

The one with Samantha Morton in it. I love her

My favorite too , i think she is absolutely perfect in this role - the only version i choose to watch .

Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens. I am not keen on her, though it could be jealousy because I am bonkers for him as Rochester.

There really is something about an angry unreasonable bastard that can get the fanny gallops going isn’t there! 😂