Persuasion (1995)

This is the version to watch

As I watched the 2008 Masterpiece version of Persuasion I was appalled at the blithe rewriting of the story, inadequate acting and interminable unnecessary pauses that doubled the run time. I love the novel and the story came alive for me as I watched this movie - perfection in every scene. The actors fit their characters so exquisitely that I could not imagine anyone else playing the roles, and certainly there are none that could come close to Amanda Root and Ciaran Hand playing the leads. Their respective transformations from rundown to radiant, and aloof to passionate were subtle and spot on, and completely matched my personification of the characters as I read the book. I watch the final scenes every time I need a romantic "high" - Wentworth realizing Anne still loves him has he hears her say that women love the longest when there is no hope, and Anne reading his amazing letter that brings her total joy then madly trying to be alone with him to say "yes". Well done! July 15, 2008

the best

This is my favorite of all the Jane Austin stories. I must have watched this DVD 20 times already. June 23, 2008

Even Jane herself would approve of this production

The producers of this film took their jobs seriously. By that, I mean that I think they actually read the book before producing the film. And the production is so much better for it.

The story is classic and familiar: Boy and girl fall in love. The girl (who is young and easily manipulated) is convinced to drop the boy since he is not "acceptable" -- not of her caste. Later, after many changes in fortune, they meet again, but this time it is the man who is initially reluctant to form any kind of alliance with her, though she still cares deeply for him. It takes some shared experiences, a change of scenery, and some realization on both of their parts of their mutual responsibilities before they are happily joined together.

Sounds like the making of a soap opera, doesn't it? But in the hands of Jane Austin's incomparable skill at story telling coupled with excellent casting of the film, a fine adaptation of the story, and just a smidge of Aristotle's "willing suspension of disbelief," this film is a wonderful fresh surprise.

By the way, if you saw the recent PBS Masterpiece Classics adaptation of this same book, you may find as I did that it suffered greatly when compared to this earlier production. Take a look at this film and once more escape into Jane's world of Regency England and the rise of the middle class. June 22, 2008

Difficult to understand

Persuasion is a beautifully filmed period movie. The british actors were at times difficult to understand. People whispered and then spoke loudly. It was sometimes hard to decipher the British accented dialogue. Worth watching for the costumes and scenery. June 20, 2008

Persuasion

Just loved it !! Its better then the oldest and newer version of Persuasion. I say " buy this one.. you won't be sorry". June 19, 2008

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