Persuasion (2007) (TV)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Adrian Shergold

Writers:

Jane Austen (novel)
Simon Burke (screenplay)

Release Date:

13 January 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

British Navy | Dancing | Carriage | Class Differences | Love Triangle

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Sally Hawkins	...	Anne Elliot
Alice Krige	...	Lady Russell
Rupert Penry-Jones	...	Captain Wentworth
Anthony Head	...	Sir Walter Elliot
Julia Davis	...	Elizabeth Elliot
Michael Fenton Stevens	...	Mr. Shepherd (as Michael Fenton-Stevens)
Mary Stockley	...	Mrs. Clay
Peter Wight	...	Admiral Croft
Marion Bailey	...	Mrs. Croft
Amanda Hale	...	Mary Elliot
Jennifer Higham	...	Louisa Musgrove
Rosamund Stephen	...	Henrietta Musgrove
Stella Gonet	...	Mrs. Musgrove
Sam Hazeldine	...	Charles Musgrove
Louis Shergold	...	Little Charles

Also Known As:

Persuasion: A Jane Austen Classic (Australia)

Runtime:

120 min (including commercials) | 93 min (excluding commercials)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Australia:G | Finland:K-3 | New Zealand:G

Filming Locations:

Assembly Rooms, Bath, Somerset, England, UK

Company:

Clerkenwell Films

Trivia:

The sheer, dotted muslin gown worn by Jennifer Higham (Louisa Musgrove) at Uppercross is the same gown previously worn by Kate Winslet (Marianne Dashwood) in Sense and Sensibility (1995) during the lawn bowling scene at Barton Park, and by Amelia Warner (Fanny Price, age 17) in Mansfield Park (1999). The same costume was later worn by Charity Wakefield (Marianne Dashwood) in "Sense & Sensibility" (2008) at Norland Park.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: On the walk to Winthrop, as the camera focuses on Ann overhearing Frederick and Louisa's conversation, a crew member with a red jacket is seen in the background (at 33:38) behind her.

Quotes:

Captain Wentworth: I have loved none but you. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone I think and plan. Have you not seen this?

Movie Connections:

Version of "Persuasion" (1960)

Soundtrack:

Symphony 25 in G Minor

Disappointing Overall But a Few Performances to Enjoy

I never watch these dramatisations and compare with the original book. I see little point as it will drive you mad. However as a TV drama it failed on a number of counts. The tension was sorely lacking and the hand held camera work was very heavy handed and ill used. The final scenes or the JA Marathon (it felt like it) was one of the silliest scenes I've ever seen in any classic series.

The revelation about William Elliot was very rushed, if you didn't know the book you'd have been bemused!. Until that point William Elliot's character (Tobias Menzies) actually comes across extremely well and shows some passion and humour. Wentworth on the other hand seemed so passive that I couldn't warm to him. I actually ended up wanting Anne to be with William Elliot.

Other than the excellent Menzies, who is a brilliant actor, the supporting cast were hit or miss. Anthony Head was good and I really enjoyed Julia Davis performance but some of the others were very OTT. The two leads were disappointing.

The early reviews suggested a classic but unfortunately it doesn't come near the quality of the 1995 version.