Emma 1996

This is the first version of Emma that I saw. I think I was still in Jr. High. How's that for a long time ago? Anyway, it's for that reason alone that it holds a special place in my heart. In fact, I saw this before I ever had heard of Jane Austen or experienced the delights of Pride and Prejudice. (I had previously thought that P&P was akin to Crime and Punishment - which didn't interest me at all!) It wasn't until a year or two later that I read Pride and Prejudice and my love for all things Austen and period romance began. I can't even imagine where my life would be without Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Louisa May Alcott and Charlotte Bronte, to name a few.

But let's get back to Emma. I really like Gweneth Paltrow's Emma. She's just all around elegant. She has fantastic hair and her wardrobe is pretty great. I think this picture is my favorite hair-do. Not too mention that the tent she's sitting under is amazing. I want one just like it.

Then there's Harriet. I don't really like Harriet, as I think I've mentioned in previous posts, but I think Toni Collett does a decent job.

I love the archery scene where Emma and Mr. Knightley are discussing Mr. Martin's proposal to Harriet. I love how her aim with the arrow falters the more she explains why the two wouldn't have been a good match.

This picture was accompanied with the line "Emma... you wrote her answer!" or "Try not to shoot my dogs." I love Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley. He's the one I compare all of the others with.

The riddle from Mr. Elton. I think this scene really shows the disparity in their intelligence.

Miss Bates. We probably quote this particular Miss Bates a couple times a month at my house. It's usually something like "PORK! mother" or "ANGEL! mother." You have to see it to really get the humor of it.

Mr. Woodhouse, Mrs. Elton and Emma. There's really nothing much to be said about Mr. Woodhouse. I think the movie would go along just fine if you never even saw him. I had to add this picture because every time I see this scene I am always afraid Mrs. Elton is going to smack somebody with the sides of her hat! I also love how she's always going on about how she doesn't want to boast about herself, but her friends say she's quite marvelous (or some such variation).

Then there's the ball and the infamous line "Brother and sister... indeed we are not!"

Everyone dances so elegantly here. They're all so light on their feet and it just looks effortless! Oh, and it's super romantic!

This is at the Box Hill picnic. This was the only picture I could get that I liked of Mr. Elton. I would have liked a carriage scene though. I love how he was always going on about the parties he went to. His complement always being "A party is a party, but a Christmas party...!" (Or a party on a summer's eve!)

"Badly done Emma!" His delivery of these lines are fantastic. You can see how mad and frustrated and, I think, in love he is with her. (This is at the end of the Box Hill expedition).

I like how in this version when he takes his leave he actually kisses her hand. I don't think he ever really took her hand previously, so this is a very marked attention. Although, Emma is too dim to pick up on that!

And, lest I forget, Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill. This was my first introduction to Ewan MacGregor and all I can say is, I was very underwhelmed! I never really took to him. I didn't find him charming. Mostly I just thought he was rude. His hair is nasty. It's kind of frizzy and sticks out and is way too long! It took me a little while before I liked him or found him attractive in any movie after that.

I think Jane was really unremarkable. There were other actresses who did a much better job with her. I felt that this Jane had no depth, whereas some of the others you could see/feel the torment they were going through.

The proposal. What a romantic location, under that large tree. Jeremy Northam delivers his lines so well. I think every woman falls a little in love with him and wishes she were on the receiving end of that proposal! "I rode through the rain! I'd ride through worse if I could just hear you telling me I might have some chance to win you!" And of course another favorite and well quoted line "I need not call you Mr. Knightley, now I may call you my Mr. Knightley!"

The wedding. I love Mrs. Elton's parting lines about the "shocking lack of satin!" I love her lace veil. They both just look so elegant!

The conclusion to this part review/part fan picspam is this: I really like this version. (If that hasn't been evident!) There's not a lot that I really dislike. It doesn't deviate too much from the book and the music is so great. I really should take a moment to discuss the music. It really evokes the mood. It's light and silly when the movie is and then it can turn super romantic as well. I love the music during the proposal. There are so many emotions going on there from when he just bumps into her until she finally accepts him. Just listening to the soundtrack I can visualize exactly what's happening in the movie. Well done Rachel Portman!

If you haven't seen this version go out and rent it, download it or put it on hold at the library. It really is a 'must see' for any Austen fan!

Emma 1996 (BBC)

It was hard to pick a cover for this movie. They were all rather plain. This was my favorite, but the pickings were slim.

Emma Woodhouse

I had to add this picture for one, the hat and two the sleeves. On a plain colored gown or over a plain colored gown they'd be sensational!

Harriet Smith and Emma in front of the church

I have to say this Harriet seems the most pathetic of the bunch. That's not to say she was a bad actress though. I find Harriet to be rather dimwitted and pathetic, so I think she was portrayed well.

Harriet, Mr. Knightley and Emma in front of Donwell

Mrs. Weston (she played Miss Moneypenny to Pierce Brosnan's James Bond)

Mr. and Mrs. Elton
(Mrs. Elton played Mrs. Hurst in the A&E Pride and Prejudice)

Front row: Jane, Harriet, Emma and Miss Bates. Back row: Mr. Knightley and Frank Churchill

Emma and Mr. Knightley after the Box Hill picnic

The proposal scene

The first time I saw this movie, as with the 1972 version, I was not a fan. I didn't like Mr. Knightley at all - which is pivotal to liking the movie. I have since come to like it more, but it's not a favorite. I find Mr. Knightley too harsh. He's always criticizing and scolding Emma that it seems a little of the blue to find out that he's in love with her. However, after the proposal I like him infinitely better, too bad that only the last five minutes of the movie.

I like the chicken thieves scenes at the beginning and end. It's some nice symmetry. I think it's funny that they use the chicken thieves to convince Mr. Woodhouse that it would be advantageous to have Mr. Knightley in the house. I believe that's the way it is in the book though. I found Emma's daydreams quite humorous. They definitely helped to make her seem immature and silly. When Frank comes out of the picture is one of my favorites.

I know this adaptation is many people's favorite, but I just can't agree to that. I saw the Gweneth Paltrow version first and this one was not nearly as romantic as that one, to me that is. It has improved on my further viewings of it, but I still have no desire to re-watch certain scenes in it. (Which is indicative of how much I like a movie. If I like it, I can watch my favorite bits over and over for weeks on end!) This is not a bad version by any means and if you like Emma, you'll probably enjoy this version.

Clueless

Honestly, I'm surprised that my mom agreed to watch this one. After the whole Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-day Comedy experience, I didn't think that she would watch this one. This is so stereotypical that it is quite humorous and the comparison to Emma is also interesting.

I really liked this movie cover, although I just noticed that it is not the English version. I think it's supposed to say the "What Ever" Edition.

Cher is the main character in this movie. It's interesting that her name is four letters, just like Emma's. She is so ditzy. She make Jane Austen's character seem like a veritable paragon! You can also see Elton to the right of her.

Tai (the Harriet character), Cher and Dionne (the Mrs. Weston character). I loved the costumes in this movie. I mean check out the outfit of the girl in the background. Full body stripes with a short flower skirt - awesome!

First row: Josh (Mr. Knightley), Amber (maybe Mrs. Elton), Dionne, Cher, Tai and Travis (Mr. Martin). Back row: Christian (Frank Churchill), Elton and Murray (Mr. Weston).

When Josh and Cher finally admit to having feelings for each other.

This is most certainly not my most favorite adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, but for what it is, it's a lot of fun. I find it interesting that Josh is not really related to her, but is "kind of" her step-brother. I guess that's the only way they could think of to have him be on such friendly terms with her.

I find the language and some of the scenes a little crass. They definitely could have made this cuter if they'd stuck to the PG rating. However, the '90s slang is a riot. I had forgotten some of the terms they used.

I really like the romance they meddle in with the two teachers. It makes their characters a little less shallow.

There's not a lot I can think of to review. I think all you need to know is that it is silly and shallow. In the end, it's not bad. It's not a movie I'd watch regularly, but now and again it's ok.

Emma 1972

If ever you decide to watch this version you need to understand that it is close to six hours long! So plan your time accordingly. Also, make sure you plan a break in the middle and that you've had a good night's sleep, otherwise your movie watching experience will not be as successful as it could have been. We did not plan accordingly, so it took us three nights.


That being said, this is probably the most faithful version to the book. Although, in that amount of time they should have had plenty of time to put every scene in the book in it! This is not my favorite version. This was the second time I watched it and it was much better than I had remembered from my first viewing.

This is one of the prettiest pictures of Emma. I love the fur-lined cape! My biggest issue with her is that she was hard to warm to. There was just something about her that rubbed me the wrong way. It didn't help that she had the ugliest hair-dos of the all of the actresses in the movie.

Mr. Elton and Miss Smith at their first meeting in Hartfield.

Jane Fairfax, Mr. Knightley and Emma. I remembered Mr. Knightley as being very unattractive in the version, but on the second viewing I was not so disappointed in his looks. He's no Jeremy Northam or Johnny Lee Miller, but he's not wholly without charm. Jane is by far the prettiest female in the cast, followed closely by Harriet. I found it so ironic when Emma and Frank were making fun of Jane's hairdo at the ball. Emma's hair never looked half as good as Jane's!

Isabella and John Knightley (who's in the background). I'm glad that Isabella is not in many scenes in the movie, especially this actress. She totally annoys me.

Frank Churchill carrying the blank for the Box Hill expedition. In every movie I dread the Box Hill confrontation, so I'm a little prejudiced to begin with. In this version when Emma makes fun of Miss Bates, several people in the party laugh out loud. It really rather lessened the awkwardness of the whole scene.

Jane (in the front), Mr. Knightley, Emma, Mr. Woodhouse, Mr. Elton, Mrs. Elton and Mrs. Weston (aka Miss Taylor). Can you see the points on Mrs. Elton's dress? She looks kind of like a shark! I find all of the nick/pet names she has for Mr. Elton rather humorous. Mr. Woodhouse in the version certainly got on my nerves. He was so worried all of the time and everyone dotes on him, but at the end of the movie all of the sudden he's caring for Emma. It was a bizarre change in his character.

Emma and Mr. Knightley. This was the scene where he proposes to her. What should be the most romantic moment in the movie and yet, it was not. There were things I liked about it - Emma grabbing his hand to stop him and then when he sits down to propose he sits much closer than he had before. It was just missing the passion! The scene has much potential, but this rather missed the mark.

All in all this isn't a bad version of Emma, and like I said before, it is the most accurate. If you like the story and can handle a slow moving film, this would not be a bad choice. However, if you're just looking for a taste of the story, this is way to much. I think I like the other versions better than this one.

Emma: The Play

For Valentine's Day this year my mom bought us all tickets to go and see Pioneer Theater's Emma on Leap Day. We had front row balcony seats, which was awesome! I also remembered to bring the binoculars, so we could see up close.

This was the poster for the play. Can I just say that I love it! The composition is beautiful and I love the simple shapes. The people in the background in two different colors is fantastic! Then the heart for the tip of the arrow is classic!

This is the actor who played Mr. Knightley. I really loved his take on the character. He was always very elegant and sophisticated like Lawrence Olivier (at least that's who my friend Jill compared him to). I loved his interactions with Emma. My favorite being when he tells her the Mr. Elton is going to be married. It was just classic! I loved how smug he was!

This is the actress who played Emma. She's pretty in this picture than with the Regency hairstyle, in my opinion. Her portrayal of Emma was not my favorite. She was very brash or at least her voice was and I had a rough time getting past it. Her accent was a little too forced as well. Although, the costumes she was able to wear were magnificent. I have to admit I was quite envious of some of them.

Frank Churchill and Emma. He had fantastic hair. I don't know whether it was true to the times, but it fit his personality so well! And his clothes went right along with it! I rather enjoyed his character.

Miss Smith, Mr. Elton and Emma. I think Harriet was by far prettier than Emma and maybe because of that she was as convincing as a silly, naive girl. I just expected her to have a little more common sense.

This was the scene where Mr. Knightley and Emma are discussing Harriet's refusal of Mr. Martin. I liked the game they were playing. It was kind of a juxtaposition to the subject matter of their conversation.

I wished that I had been able to find a picture of the ball because the dresses were so fine and worth commenting on. I loved how they staged the dance with Emma and Mr. Knightley. Everyone leaving on different beats of the dance until just Emma and Mr. Knightley were left. It was very romantic!

Overall I enjoyed the play immensely. I love going to the theater and then to see something that I like makes it doubly wonderful. Was it the best adaptation of the story... no, but that was ok. I didn't expect Masterpiece Theater. It was good for what it was and I was glad I was able to go and see it.

Northanger Abbey

What a silly story this is! It's entertaining, but very silly. Which is likely the worst thing I can say about this story. Jane certainly hit the mark of Gothic Romance with this one. There are only two versions of this movie, although if you look on IMDB you'll only find one. The earlier one was part of a tv series called Stage Two (I think!?!). One of the great things about both of these films is that they are short. They might just be the shortest Jane Austen movies of all. I'll have to double check on that though.

I find Catherine a very silly girl. I think Kitty in Pride and Prejudice would have been her twin or at least her bosom friend. Cathy is very naive and caught up between her fantasy world and the real world. She gets taken in by the Thorpes, but at least she learns from them. I love her banter with Henry, especially in the newer version. I like watching Cathy's character develop from an inexperienced, silly girl to a more mature young woman. I really like the relationship that Cathy has with Henry's sister. I think she is the only true friend to Cathy.

Overall, I rather enjoy watching this movie (mostly the second one though!). I realize this is not Jane Austen at her best or most mature, but she is entertaining. I like this better than Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park. It's just a lighter, fluffier story. That and it's like a third as long as those two. I'd recommend the newest version to anyone who hasn't seen it, but likes Jane Austen. If you don't go into it with high expectations (expecting it to be Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion) it really is a fun little story.

This the version that we watched first. It was interesting. The music was hilarious!!! It was bizarre. "It was so un-authentic" as my mom says. There's like electric guitar and other electronic instruments.

It makes me so mad that Masterpiece edited out several scenes from the version that aired in the UK. Most especially I'm upset that the "We are all God's creations" bathtub scene was taken out and the fun apple picking scene. I just don't understand why they took a good 5 minutes out.

Northanger Abbey in the older version. What a picturesque castle.

Northanger Abbey in the newer version. Definitely a creepy place.

Miss Catherine Morland our heroine who always had weird hair. I just don't like those ringlet bangs.

At the first ball in Bath. That is Henry Tilney talking to Catherine and Mrs. Allen about muslins. Do you recognize Mr. Tilney? If you're a fan of MI-5 you'll certainly recognize him as Harry Pierce. I'm glad he rose to greater acting success!

One of Catherine's crazy nightmare/fantasies. She was always wrapped in sheet whether in the forest or like here on the bed. I don't know what the blood is all about though.

Catherine's friend Isabella Thorpe and her mother.

I couldn't do a post about this movie without a picture from the Bath House scene. It was just odd. I mean, I know they went to Bath to take the waters, but I just didn't imagine them wearing their hats and having some sort of plate hanging around their necks.

 You can watch the whole movie on YouTube, should you want to, but really just watch the first minute or so of this one and you'll understand just how bizarre it is!

Catherine Morland from the new version

About 3 minutes into this clip you'll be able to watch funny bathtub scene that was cut out

Henry and Catherine. I love J. J. Feild! I was so excited to see him in the new Captain America movie.

John Thorpe (Isabella's brother), John Morland (Cathy's brother), Cathrine and Isabella. You might recognize Isabella from the newest version of Pride and Prejudice and John from the Disney version of The Three Musketeers.

Mrs. Allen. You might recognize her as Fanny in the 1983 version of Mansfield Park

One of the cutest proposal scenes in any of the Jane Austen movies!

I found this as I was looking for pictures for this blog entry. Unfortunately the library did not have this yet, so I can only imagine how much fun it would be to look through! I don't think they've finished the series, so that's probably why the library didn't have it.