SENSE AND SENSIBLITY 1 (1985)
SENSE AND SENSIBLITY 2 (1995)
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY PRODUCTS
THE SENSE AND SENSIBILITY BOARD AT PEMBERLEY
THE NOVEL
WHEN WAS SENSE AND SENSIBILITY WRITTEN?
Sense and Sensibility was begun by Jane Austen in November 1797. Its first draft was known by the title Elinor and Marianne and was written after First Impressions, the original of Pride and Prejudice. Sense and Sensibility is the first of Jane Austen's novels to be published in 1811.
WASN'T SENSE AND SENSIBILITY ORIGINALLY WRITTEN AS AN EPISTOLARY NOVEL?
Austen family tradition has it that Elinor and Marianne was indeed written in the form of letters. However, accounts of this orginal draft are sketchy, and some persist in believing that it was Pride and Prejudice which was the epistolary novel in its original version. Without Jane Austen to consult personally, we have no way of knowing which, if any, of the novels were originally epistolary.
HAVE ANY SEQUELS TO SENSE AND SENSIBILITY BEEN WRITTEN?
There have been a few. A list with reviews may be found on Linda's Sequel Page. You may also enjoy the S&S Fiction at BoI Archives written by our citizens.SENSE AND SENSIBILITY 2
AREN'T THE ACTORS ALL TOO OLD?
According to the novel, Elinor Dashwood is 19, Marianne Dashwood is 16 at the beginning of the novel and 19 when she marries Colonel Brandon. Colonel Brandon is 35. John Willoughby is 25. Edward Ferrars is 23.MUSIC IN S&S2Emma Thompson (born in April 1959) would have been 36 during filming in 1995, Kate Winslet (born in October 1975) would have been 20, Alan Rickman (born in February 1946) would have been 49, Hugh Grant (born in Sept 1960) would have been 35. Greg Wise (born in 1966) was 31 at the time of filming.
It is generally agreed here that all the actors, despite their actual ages, played the roles outstandingly. So let other pens dwell on age and maturity, we quit such odious subjects as soon as possible.
WHAT WERE THOSE POEMS READ IN THE MOVIE?The song Marianne is playing at Norland is titled "My Father's Favorite." If you are looking for the lyrics to the two songs sung in the film, they are in the CD liner notes.
The lyrics for "Weep No More You Sad Fountains" are based on an anonymous poem from the early 1600s.
Weep No more sad fountainsThe lyrics for "The Dreame" are based on a poem by Ben Johnson.
What need you flow so fast?
Look how the snowy mountains
Heaven's sun doth gently waste.
But my sun's heavenly eyesSleep is a reconciling
View not your weeping,
That now lies sleeping
Softly, softly, now softly
Softly lies sleeping.
A rest that peace begets
Doth not the sun rise smiling
When fair at ev'n he sets?
Rest you then, rest sad eyes,
Melt not in weeping,
While she lies sleeping
Softly, softly, now softly
Softly lies sleepingO scorne or pity on me take,On the CD, Kate Winslet does not sing, and as far as we know, there is no recording for sale of her singing these songs. Composer Patrick Doyle wrote the score for this film. Sheet music for "My Father's Favorite," "The Dreame," and "Weep No More You Sad Fountains" is widely sold at music stores. If you cannot find it at one near you, sheet music for "My Father's Favorite" and "The Dreame" and Weep No More You Sad Fountains" is sold online. Sheet music from S&S2 as well as other Jane Austen films can be found in a compilation called "Jane Austen's World" There is also a piano book called "Jane Austen, The Music" which contains just music from P&P2 and S&S2 at a higher difficulty level than "Jane Austen's World."
I must the true redemption make,
I am undone tonight.
Love, in a subtle dreame disguised,
Hath both my heart and me surprised,
Whom never yet he durst attempt awake;
Nor will he tell me for whose sake
He did me the delight or spight,
But leaves me to inquire
In all my wild desire
Of sleep again, who was his aid,
And sleep so guiltie and afraid
And since he dares not come within my sight.
The answers to these questions can be found in the Sense and Sensibility section of Pemberley's Literary Companion page.IS IT TRUE THAT EMMA THOMPSON (ELINOR) AND GREG WISE (WILLOUGHBY) ARE NOW A COUPLE?
Yes, and now they have a little girl. Her name is Gaia Romilly Wise and she was born December 4, 1999. We know, it's hard to imagine Elinor and Willoughby together, but remember, it's called acting, folks. On a side note, Emma's sister Sophie is married to Richard Lumsden aka Robert Ferrars. So he's actually her in-law in real life as well as in the movie!
JUST HOW MUCH TEA CAN ELINOR DRINK?
You are not the first person to notice that Elinor is given two cups of tea while waiting for Marianne to come in out of the rain. The first recorded message on this issue was written by Kathleen Ann on December 11, 1997. Click here to read it. We've concluded it could be an effort to show the passage of time while Marianne was missing. It could be that there was a scene that was cut in between the cups of tea. Or it could be a little continuity problem, which on the whole, we don't think detracts one iota from the beauty of the film.
Emma T's diaries on Sense and Sensibility say that director Ang Lee wanted sheep in every outdoor scene. Thanks to Gwennie, we have a tally of each sheep sighting. Read it here.
At the end of the film, Brandon is marrying Marianne. Elinor and Edward are already married. It is not a double wedding. As in the novel, Elinor's wedding happened much earlier than Marianne's. In her screenplay, Emma T. gives the instruction: "Behind them [Marianne and Colonel Brandon] come EDWARD in his parson's garb and, on his arm, ELINOR, as matron of honour."WHAT IS THE ROCKY HORROR S&S2?So, she did also mean for Edward to have performed the ceremony. In the diary part of the screenplay/diary, she expressed concern that it would be taken the wrong way. "...Marianne and Brandon out of the church, followed by Mrs. Dashwood, Margaret, Elinor and Edward (who are supposed to be already married, but I can't help feeling that it will look like a double wedding. Depressing thought--too neat)"
It was customary at the time for children to carry cakes on poles with streamers. It was also customary for the groom to throw coins to wedding guests. The coins are sixpence, not gold, and they are only meant to signify the groom sharing his good fortune with others.
The Rocky Horror S&S2 is an audience participation script written by Barbara and used at Pemberley's third annual meeting in Victoria, B.C. You can see a copy of it here
Emma Thompson
Alan Rickman
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY PRODUCTS
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY SCREENPLAY AND DIARIES
Sense and Sensibility Screen Play and Diaries by Emma Thompson
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SENSE AND SENSIBILITY SOUNDTRACK
Original music by Patrick Doyle:THE PEMBERLEY SHOPPE
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Sense and Sensibility products at the Pemberley Shoppe
THE SENSE AND SENSIBILITY BOARD AT PEMBERLEY
Your board host is Barbara. Please direct any questions, corrections or updates to her.
