Posted by Marsha on September 02, 1997 at 23:06:25:
In reply to Re: Emma1 musings posted by Susan on August 30, 1997 at 19:15:49
] ] Tell me more about Emma 1?
] Jen, it's definitely the most complete version, and the dialogue, although not verbatim, is close to it. The relationship between Emma and Knightley is very accurately portrayed (he's firmer than JN and not as passionate as MS), and the Frank/Jane story is adequately covered. Emma is a little affected, but pretty true to form.
] On the flip side, it looks as though it were shot on home video, and the actors are not especially "pretty," if that bothers you. They really look like average people, which is probably more what JA actually had in mind. You may be somewhat disappointed in Knightley in the beginning, but I've come to believe he is very close to the way JA imagined him to be. I found him absolutely wonderful by less than halfway through. The way he handles Mrs. Elton is perfectly priceless.
] And, as we've all said, it's worth watching for Mr. Woodhouse alone!
________
I really did not like that version: it had a lot of dialogue, but the same problem as P&P1: the sparkle was missing. Somehow they had missed all the fun and liveliness. Emma was way too old, pretty much an old maid (I found a book dealing with this version of Emma and it said that the screenplay writer viewed her not as somewhat self-absorbed lively young lady but as an insecure neurotic, and it shows), I did not like Rev Elton (Emma2's was the best, IMO), Mr Knightley was OK, but I thoought he looked older than 37 (I like Jeremey Northam the best, also), but my biggest problem was Jane Fairfax: she was more fitted to play Jane Eyre in her personal appearance, and she looked more downtrodden than reserved (a la Fanny)
But even though my favorite id Emma2, this one is somewhat adequate for a desperate Emma fix.
Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.