Jane Eyre (BBC, 1983)

Amazon.com

Jane Eyre--the mother of all gothic romances--gets abundant passion in this 11-episode BBC miniseries. Young Sian Pattenden is wonderfully willful and impetuous; viewers will immediately identify with the child Jane as she fights against ill-treatment at the home of her aunt and at boarding school. It's a shame to see her grow up into Zelah Clarke--until Clarke asserts her own quiet yet fierce spirit. The plot really starts rolling when Jane takes a position as governess at Thornfield, a handsome estate owned by the imperious and tortured Mr. Rochester (Timothy Dalton, a few years before he became James Bond). From there, this 1983 adaptation rips through the perilous highs and devastating lows of Charlotte Bronte's powerful novel, in which the courtship of these two prickly personalities gets twists and turns galore. Though the visual style is a bit pedestrian, the well-crafted script and skillful performances grow more gripping with every episode. The necessary feverishness springs from simple yet effective means, like macabre laughter floating down the halls of Thornfield. The scenes between Clarke and Dalton crackle with chemistry; Bronte fans will not be disappointed. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

I love this movie.......2007-09-12

I love this movie. Unlike the newer, American version, it doesn't hack the book to pieces. All my favorite parts of the book are there and it is so wonderful and romantic. Timothy Dalton is too handsome to make a perfect version of Mr. Rochester, but as if being handsome were a crime.... It makes it a very beautiful love story.

I've only seen this version but I think it is perfect.......2007-09-05

Last night I finished re-watching "Jane Eyre" (1983), the BBC mini-series adapted from Charlotte Bronte's Gothic romance novel which is deservingly a classic of English literature with Timothy Dalton (my favorite James Bond) as Mr. Edward Rochester and Zelah Clarke, as Jane Eyre, a poor orphaned 18-year-old girl, a governess at Mr. Rochester's estate, Thornfield. "Jane Eyre" has been one of my most beloved books since I was an 11-years-old girl and the friend of mine gave it to me with the words, "This book is amazing" and so it was and I have read it dozens of times and I am still not tired of it. Its beautiful language, refined, fragrant, and surprisingly fresh, the dialogs, and above all, two main characters, and the story of their impossible love have attracted many filmmakers. "Jane Eyre" has been adapted to TV and big screen many times, 18 according to IMDb. The actors as famous and marvelous as Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles, William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg, George C. Scott and Susannah York, Ciarán Hinds and Samantha Morton have played the couple that had overcome hundreds of obstacles made by society, laws, religion, by the differences in age, backgrounds, experiences, and by the fateful mistakes that would hunt one for many years. Of all these films I've only seen one, 300 minutes long BBC version from 1983 that follows the novel closely and where Timothy Dalton who frequently plays dark, brooding characters does not just played Edward Rochester brilliantly and with class, he WAS Mr. Rochester - sardonic, vibrant, the force of nature, powerful, passionate, sexy, and tormented master of Thornfield. Zelah Clarke was also convincing as sweet, gentle, intelligent and strong Jane who feels deeply and is full of passion mixed with clear reasoning, and quiet but firm willpower.

Jane Eyre DVD.......2007-08-23

This is a great movie and follows the book very well. Timothy Dalton and Zelah Clark are perfect in their parts as Rochester and Jane. Unfortunately the DVD we received has a fuzzy look to it. It looks like it was a copy of a copy of a copy. It is watchable, but a little annoying. That is the reason I gave it three stars instead of five.

The Best Mr. Rochester and Jane, and Faithful to the Book! .......2007-08-13

I decided to borrow four screen versions of "Jane Eyre" from the library to find my favorite. I watched a 1996, a 1997, a 2006, and this one. Timothy Dalton transforms from a haughty, bitter Rochester to one who has fallen in love with the plain, but dimpled Jane. He portrays the constant struggle going on within Rochester, and yet conveys the boyish love he is feeling for his "little Janet". Yes, Mr. Dalton is too attractive for Mr. Rochester, but plays him wonderfully. Zelah Clarke annoyed me the first time I watched it because she seemed to pause so long before speaking her lines. Perhaps this was the director's fault. Anyhow, she still gives a life to Jane that makes her real to me, although she is not as young as Jane should be. Several lines are directly from the book. I admit I don't watch the episodes with Jane as a child repeatedly as I do her adult years. Remember this version is at least 5 hours long, so you have to be a true Charlotte Bronte/Jane Austen type fan to love it as I do. It definitely brings the most life to the book if you are teaching "Jane Eyre", even if you only show some of the episodes and not all. The other members of the cast are equally outstanding.

1983 Jane Eyre.......2007-07-05

If you had to do a book report on Jane Eyre but didn't want to read it, this is the movie to see. Very acurate comparison with the book, but a little lacking in imagination as far as art direction goes. The acting is fair. Die-hard Jane Eyre fans would love this movie. My biggest complaint with it is the fact that, as it is a television series, there is a break every 20 minutes where the credits are given and the chapter displayed which makes it even longer. If you are looking for good cinematography, script and acting, my favorite is the 2006 Masterpiece Theatre version. It doesn't follow the book as closely, but it is a beuatifully done film.

Average customer rating:

Not very enjoyable
A Very Successful Adaptation of Favorite Novel -
To Eyre is Human
Jane Eyre
Competent adptation of Bronte novel...but uneven melodrama...

Jane Eyre
Starring: Orson Welles , and Joan Fontaine
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000MGBLHS
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Amazon.com

Made two years after Citizen Kane, this 1943 version of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre sure looks like star Orson Welles muscled his way behind the camera much of the time. (In fact, costar Joan Fontaine--who plays the title character--has maintained that Welles methodically did just that every day on the set.) Not that the film's official director was a hack: Robert Stevenson, who later had a busy career at Disney making numerous live-action hits for the studio, such as Mary Poppins, gets the credit. But there's no mistaking Welles's masterful hand in the film's bold and creative look, and there's no getting away from his enigmatic charisma as Rochester, the widower who takes in Jane as a governess to his daughter. An engrossing, gorgeous film, there's even a small role for Elizabeth Taylor at the beginning as Jane's unlucky, doomed friend at a cruel boarding school. --Tom Keogh

Description

Jane Eyre secures a job as governess to the child (Margaret O'Brien) of the troubled Edward Rochester, sire of Thornfield, a mysterious English manor. When she hears strange cries and noises from a distant wing, her inquiries are rebuffed. As time goes on, Jane and her master fall in love and decide to marry. But their halted when a visitor suddenly reveals the shocking secret that Rochester has kept for years.

Customer Reviews:

Not very enjoyable.......2007-09-15

I'm a huge fan of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, so when I heard about the Orson Welles adaptation, I eagerly hunted down a copy of the film. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed with the film. Not only were characters from the novel completely omitted (ie St. John and his sisters, Miss Temple) but so were important scenes. The movie felt rushed and disconnected.

In addition, I didn't think there was any chemistry between Joan Fontaine's Jane and Orson Welles' Rochester. Welles' scenes mainly consist of him glowering, glaring and brooding at the camera. Fontaine's Jane Eyre is a weak tempered, shy violet. Both actors fail to evoke the passion of Bronte's characters.

It's not that I can't appreciate an adaptation. I consider the 1940 Greer Garson/Laurence Olivier version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice one of my favorite film adaptations even though it deviates considerably from the original text. This version of Jane Eyre, however, was just horrible.

The best version of Jane Eyre that I've ever seen is the 1983 BBC tv miniseries starring Timothy Dalton. Dalton may be too handsome for the role, but it's the most faithful adaptation and the acting is superb. No one has ever come closer to capturing the essence of Rochester on screen; Dalton's that good in the role. Another good version is the 2006 BBC version starring Ruth Wilson, whose passionate version of Jane is truly memorable.

A Very Successful Adaptation of Favorite Novel - .......2007-09-14

Orson Welles plays Edward Rochester, the moody and mysterious employer of governess Jane Eyre in this earlier adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Gothic novel that takes place in the first half of the 19th Century. Welles also did enough work behind the scenes and the production company offered him a producer credit, which he turned down. Nevertheless, the film has his trademarks all over. Just one look at the Thornfield Hall, the ominous and gloomy, dominating the screen Rochester's family estate that hides terrifying secrets or the first sound of Bernard Herrmann's score, the moody atmosphere, unusual angles - all unmistakably point at the "Citizen Cane's" creator. 97 minutes long Orson Welles/Joan Fontaine version skips some novel's plot lines but the film works nicely thanks to skillfully adapted screenplay by John Houseman and Aldous Huxley. Orson Welles was a great choice for passionate, strong, charismatic and tormented Mr. Rochester. Joan Fontaine was too attractive and too meek for strong-willed and fiercely intelligent Jane but there was undeniable chemistry between her and Welles.

This 20th Century Fox production also stars 7 years old Margaret O'Brien, charming as little Adele Varance and 12-years-old un-credited Elizabeth Taylor, already strikingly beautiful, who'd break your heart as Jane's first and unforgettable friend Helen Burns in the dismal Lowood school.

Of four films based on "Jane Eyre" that I've seen, Welles/Fontaine film is the shortest and the only B/W. IMO, it belongs to the best adaptations and it is my second favorite after Dalton/Clarke version.

4.5/5

To Eyre is Human.......2007-08-19

I originally read the book, Jane Eyre, when I was an eighth grade student.
I loved the story then, and, I still do now. I have watched many versions of the movie, but my favorite has always been the Orson Welles-Joan Fontaine one. I feel that the original story line of Jane Eyre has been the template for many gothic tales, then, and now. The movie is still just as eerie and mysterious today as it probably was when it was made. The acting is superb. I highly recommend this version of the movie to anyone who is interested in watching "classic" movies. "Citizen Kane" is generally rated as number 1 of all the movies, but I truly believe that "Jane Eyre" should be way up on the list.

Jane Eyre.......2007-08-13

The 1944 Orson Welles/Joan Fontaine version of the Charlotte Bronte classic, Jane Eyre, continues to be a riveting experience. Although there have been other fine and memorable versions since, this one remains my all time favorite. Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine will always remain the signal Edward Rochester and Jane Eyre in my opinion and in my mind's eye. Jane Eyre.

Competent adptation of Bronte novel...but uneven melodrama..........2007-07-29

Watching 'Jane Eyre' is like watching two films. The first part seems so far removed from what follows and is easily the best part of the movie. We see a young Jane (Peggy Ann Garner) being placed by her cruel aunt in an orphanage run by wicked Mr. Brocklehurst (Henry Daniell at his most chilling). One of her schoolmates is a very young Elizabeth Taylor as Helen Burns, long dark curls and eyelashes revealing her to be very beautiful, even at an early age. And the wonderful John Sutton is the doctor who witnesses the brutal treatment of the girls at the school. All of this is conveyed in a brooding series of scenes, lit with low-key lighting and many atmospheric effects backed by Bernard Herrmann's moody background score.

The second part of the story involving the mature Jane Eyre (Joan Fontaine) is less successful in keeping with the richness of detail shown earlier. Furthermore, Joan Fontaine is never fully convincing as the plain governness, demure and docile to an irritating degree and never developing the spine of steel Jane's character demands.

Instead, she is completely dominated by Orson Welles--overacting to the nth degree in a very theatrical manner as Mr. Rochester--and the story is sent reeling off course to an unsatisfying conclusion. The structure of the film is so offset by the impressive first half-hour that the second part seems artificial by comparison.

Some excellent black and white photography by George Barnes cannot conceal the artificiality of studio sets. All of the supporting performances are well acted. As usual, Agnes Moorehead does an outstanding job.

Summing up: The first half is brilliant. Joan Fontaine seems to be aware that she's being overshadowed by Welles in one of his most florid roles. Obviously, he had a hand in the direction.

Average customer rating:

Colors Make This A Great-Looking Disc & A Fun Story
Shades of Mary Poppins!
Fun Family Movie
lovely fairy tale
Loved it

Nanny McPhee (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Emma Thompson , Colin Firth , Kelly Macdonald , Thomas Sangster , and Eliza Bennett
Director: Kirk Jones (III)
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
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ASIN: B000F1IQNM
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Amazon.com

With hairy warts, a stern-looking unibrow and one extremely protruding buck-tooth, Nanny McPhee is a wonderfully comedic substitute for Mary Poppins in this entertaining family fantasy. By loosely adapting Christianna Brand's Nurse Matilda children's books of the 1960s, Oscar®-winning screenwriter Emma Thompson (Sense and Sensibility) has also given herself the plum role of Nanny McPhee, who can tame even the most unruly children with a tap of her magic walking stick. Her latest challenge is the bratty brood of a recent widower Mr. Brown (Colin Firth), who's under pressure to find a new wife or lose his much-needed allowance from wealthy Aunt Adelaide (a tailor-made role for Angela Lansbury). His love for scullery maid Evangeline (Kelly Macdonald) remains unspoken as he wincingly woos the eagerly merry widow Mrs. Quickly (Celia Imrie), but Brown's raucous rugrats have a plan to make things right, especially after they've come under the benevolent influence of Nanny McPhee, whose peculiar brand of discipline works wonders for everyone involved. Both quintessentially British and universally appealing, this wildly colorful comedy (thanks to a bold palette of costume and production design) was capably directed by Kirk Jones, whose appreciation for comic actors was equally apparent in his critically acclaimed 1998 comedy Waking Ned Devine. With just a hint of darkness to offset the whimsy, Nanny McPhee offers a splendid match of director, cast and material, guaranteed to please Wallace & Gromit fans and anyone else with a taste for British zaniness. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Colors Make This A Great-Looking Disc & A Fun Story.......2007-09-05

This was a pleasant surprise, much better than I anticipated. I figured Emma Thompson would be good in the title role because you can usually count on her to be entertaining in form or another, cerebrally, emotionally or comically. What I didn't figure on was the fun, extremely colorful story, overall. This DVD was like a banana split for your senses - all kinds of wild treats for the eyes and ears.....to taste, so to speak.

This film features outrageous color schemes from the word "go," from the interior of the "Brown's" house, to everyone's apparel to the scenery outside. It almost reminded me "The Cat In The Hat" with its crazy colors.

All the characters are as exaggerated as the colors, too. The kids may be brats but they aren't bad once they get some needed discipline and love from Nanny McPhee. They are still fun to watch, and all are quite different in appearance and mannerisms. Thompson is a howl as Mary Poppins-like McPhee and so are the supporting characters. There were no sappy songs, either. This is not a musical.

Only the final wedding segment got carried away with juvenile silliness; the rest was fun for adults and well as the kids, who must have loved this all the way through. This is simply good entertainment and highly recommended.

Shades of Mary Poppins!.......2007-08-23

This truly hilarious comedy is supported by a brilliant caste: Emma Thompson (Nanny McPhee) and Colin Firth (the father of seven unruly children) whose wife is deceased. He tries a succession of nannies (17) and they all leave within a few days, the last one in just one day! The casting of the children is outstanding and the unruly actions are unimaginable! At last Nanny McPhee agrees to do the job--with a three point program which she pursues doggedly and finally successfully. Knowing that she must leave, the father looks for a mother for his brood. He can't find anyone willing to take on the task. But Nanny comes through for him--transforms a young kitchen maid, long with the family, into a beautiful and well educated young lady. The role of the mother is filled to everyone's satisfaction! A film you won't want to miss--entertainment for the entire family!

Fun Family Movie.......2007-08-04

This was a fun movie for the family. lots of action for kids and good humor for adults.

lovely fairy tale.......2007-07-29

Emma Thompson, Colin Firth and all the children are delightful; especially Thomas Sangler. I want to adopt him!!!

Loved it.......2007-06-21

This was a fun movie to watch.

Average customer rating:

Unbox does not include subtitles for the Siamese!!!
The King and I Admirers Will Be Bored
not your father's King and I
Anna and the King
Entertaining and Captivating

Anna and the King
Starring: Chow Yun-Fat , Jodie Foster , Bai Ling , Tom Felton , and Randall Duk Kim
Director: Andy Tennant
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00003CWLF
Release Date: 2000-10-31

Product Description

Academy Award winner Jodie Foster and international action star Chow Yun-Fat star in this epic true story of a woman who challenged the heart of a king and inspired the destiny of a nation.

English schoolteacher Anna Leonowens has traveled to Siam to educate the fifty-eight children of King Mongkut. If she has preconceived notions about the East, the King has similar notions about the West. But amid the danger of growing political unrest, their respect for each other slowly turns into something more.

System Requirements:
Starring: Jodie Foster, Chow Yun-Fat, and Bai Ling.
Directed By: Andy Tennant.
Running Time: 147 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2001 Twentieth Century Fox.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

What's a director to do? Andy Tennant's previous film was the highly enjoyable Cinderella romance Ever After, which vanished from theaters and became a video hit. Then Tennant made this gorgeous, nonmusical version of Anna and the King, and once again felt the sting of box-office failure. Both films deserved better, and this Anna is certain to eventually find the appreciative audience that eluded it in theaters. In many ways, this delightful costume romance transcends the latter-day quaintness of The King and I to offer a more lavish and rewarding version of the story of Anna Leonowens, based on her diaries and first told in Margaret Landon's 1944 novel.

In an otherwise admirable performance (although many felt her miscast), Jodie Foster struggles with her Victorian accent as Anna, the grieving widow who arrives in Siam in 1860 with her young son. Having accepted a post as tutor for the many children of the polygamous King Mongkut (Chow Yun-Fat), Anna finds herself drawn to the progressive monarch, whose passions swirl in a turbulent political climate. If the chemistry isn't entirely there, this culture clash still has plenty of regal charm, and Luciana Arrighi's production design is appropriately magnificent. Humor and politics are given equal measure, and Chow Yun-Fat is arguably the most endearing king to date--powerful yet tender, forceful but anguished by the heavier burdens of leadership. Bai Ling's intense performance as the tragic lover Tuptim adds emotional depth to one of the most underrated films of 1999. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Unbox does not include subtitles for the Siamese!!!.......2007-07-09

I'm sure this is a great movie, but I rented it from Amazon's Unbox service. I don't speak a word of Siamese, and the Unbox version does not include any subtitles. I was unable to understand anything that did not involve someone talking to Anna - for instance, the situation with the traitor and whatever happened with the concubine. All I can say is that I am CERTAIN that I missed most of the movie because of this. I have requested a refund from Amazon and do not recommend that anyone rent this from Amazon Unbox. I don't know if their purchased videos include the proper subtitles, but the response I got from customer service was that Unbox does not support subtitles, so it's probably missing them too. What a disappointment!

The King and I Admirers Will Be Bored.......2007-04-11

This film was a real let down. Jodie Foster was wasted in a familiar tale that wasn't told the way we remember it. Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner keep their titles of Anna and the King.

not your father's King and I.......2007-04-01

This was a pleasure-packed film from the opening scenery to the text at the end chronicling the changes brought about in Siam owing to the influence of Anna. The country and the people(at least those of the royal household) are absolutely beautiful. The king is one to whom it would be very easy to feel loyalty to.
After seeing the movie, I feel compelled to read the history of Siam, and thus, Thailand.

Anna and the King.......2007-03-27

Very interesting remake of the King and I, though we older set missed the singing, it was put together and updated well. Jodie always gives a great performance!

Entertaining and Captivating.......2007-03-22

This is a great movie to have in your library. It is basically a film along the lines of The King and I. Jodie Foster is the perfect match for her role. She grabs you and draws you in, making a personal connection with the characters. Chow Yun-Fat is, also, a very good fit for his role as emperor.
The film makes you take a good look at how personal realtionships within your own family are about the most important thing you have. It also draws attention to the importance of respecting others. I'm not going to use the word 'tolerance'...but for the closed-minded, tyranical types, this film will ease that person into realizing the many good qualities in other people.
Oh, and don't forget the falling-in-love portions of this movie. Crossing boundries for those forbidden pleasures alway make for a good time.
This is a great film for those who like to ride the emotional rollercoaster. You'll laugh, get ticked-off, cry, get the warm-fuzzies...you get the point.
So, grab your sweatheart, get a blanket, pop some popcorn, turn the lights down and enjoy this timeless work of art!

Average customer rating:

Fierce Creature
The book's Jane Eyre - Not so much
my favorite version
The best
Best Jane but very MEAN Rochester!

Jane Eyre (A&E, 1997)
Starring: Deborah Findlay , Laura Harling , Joanna Scanlan , Ben Sowden , and Barbara Keogh
Director: Robert Young (III)
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0767020294
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Product Description

Charlotte Bront s moving story of the improbable love between a young governess and her mysterious and tragic employer is one of the towering classics of English literature. A&E brints this beloved tale to life in a brilliant production starring Samantha Morton (A&E s EMMA) and Ciaran Hinds (Persuasion, A&E s IVANHOE).After a wretched childhood as an orphan, Jane Eyre arrives at Thornfield Hall to take over her duties as the governess. She soon falls in love with the brooding owner of Thornfield, Mr. Rochester. Jane gradually wins his heart, but they must first overcome the dark secrets of his past before they can truly find happiness.Directed by Robert Young (Fierce Creatures) and filmed entirely on location in England, CHARLOTTE BRONT S JANE EYRE is an exquisite adaptation of one of the most beloved stories of all time--now in the crystal clear digital clarity of DVD.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

The fascinating British actress Samantha Morton stars as the titular heroine in this provocative version of Jane Eyre, based on Charlotte Bronte's oft-filmed, 1847 novel. The familiar contours of Bronte's story are all here: Jane, the unhappy orphan, grows up to become governess at Thornfield, a gloomy estate owned by the imperious and worldly, but curiously desperate, Mr. Rochester (Ciarán Hinds). While the latter's grasping attentions stir the inexperienced young woman, the gothic goings-on at Thornfield suggest layers of unwholesome secrecy in Rochester's life. Most productions of Jane Eyre carefully reflect Bronte's absorbing balance between romance, horror, and Jane's psychological passage to adulthood. But this 1997 television movie is interesting for its near-reckless emphasis on Jane and Rochester's mutual obsession and galloping jealousies. The dramatic strategy throws off the story's overall tone, but such problems are worth it to see Morton and Hinds explore Jane Eyre's darkest possibilities. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Fierce Creature.......2007-09-16

I think that Samantha Morton's Jane Eyre in Robert Young's 1997 TV adaptation of the great novel, could've been the best screen Jane ever. Morton was 20 years old and the closest in age to the young orphaned governess, childlike in the appearance but strong willed, serene yet very intelligent with acute sense of right or wrong. Two years prior to her Oscar nominated role as a mute girl in Woody Allen's "Sweet and Lowdown", Morton proved that she could say a lot by the mere look at her face, by her impressive and speaking eyes alone. It is sad that the film took too many liberties with the book and not only in omitting many important plot lines in order to fit in its 108 minutes length, but with too many changes to the very nature of the novel's two main characters and their relationship. Jane in the scenes with her employer is sometimes too demanding and not as tactful as she is in the book. The changes are especially obvious in Mr. Edward Rochester as he was played by Ciaran Hinds. Hinds is a talented, intense actor but I can't agree or like his reading and interpreting of Mr. Rochester's character. Some his scenes in the film made me cringe. Mr. Edward Rochester of the novel was not yelling or rather barking brute - it was difficult for me to believe that Jane Eyre would come to love so much. I also was unpleasantly surprised with Mr. Rochester openly displaying his affection for Adele. This manifestation was against the logic of his character.

2.5/5

The book's Jane Eyre - Not so much.......2007-08-20

I have it in my Jane Eyre collection and the chemistry is not believable at all. Ciaran Hinds is barking at her the entire time. There is no inflection in his voice that would give way to you believing he had a soft spot for her on more than one occasion. He also didn't have Mr. Rochester's dark wit. If you want to see Ciaran Hinds in a wonderful movie, see Jane Austen's "Persuasion."

Samantha Morton, although a great actress here, played Jane far too impertinent for her position, the era and most importantly for the post-Helen Jane who had a gentle spirit that made Mr. Rochester drawn to her in the first place.

I was glad to see the Bertha portrayal was very close to the book in this one as well as the 83' version. Unlike, the most recent Masterpiece version that had Bertha looking like she could step out of Thornfield, put on a gown and walk the red carpet.

If you want to see a great and TRUE adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre," watch the Timothy Dalton/Zelah Clarke version which still is powerful even after 24 years. Timothy Dalton is the book's tumultous, playful, introspective and passionate Mr. Rochester. Zelah Clarke plays Jane perfectly as unworldly and innocent and knowing her "station" so to speak, but also having her own mind. The 83' version wasn't Hollywood's version, it was Bronte's version.

my favorite version.......2007-05-25

BBC has filmed a couple of versions (a 248 minute job in 1973, and a 311-minute version ten years later) of "Jane Eyre" before. Due to their greater length, both of those are much more closely stitched to the text. If you're a stickler for fidelity, you'll probably want to direct your attention thither.

But for me, the Robert Young version from 1997 is easily my favorite. At 108 minutes, it's sadly abridged, but the more vigorous pace and, more vitally, the sparkling performance on the part of the lead actress, Samantha Morton, more than make up for this defect.

The ending is guaranteed to plaster a smile on your face for the rest of the day.

The best.......2007-05-07

Ciaran Hinds and Samantha Morton are the perfect Jane and Edward - I am not sure the people that wrote the script read the book too closely but they were perfect - the way Jane talked when they were under the trees and she was leaving was exactly what I would have wanted to say in that day and time - the other jane's including the book do not really address the real issue as is done in this movie.

Best Jane but very MEAN Rochester!.......2007-04-25

This is the FAST FOOD version of Jane Eyre!!! Still it is quite entertaining. Music was very good, much better than the BBC 1983 version. This Jane is the BEST Jane I have seen so far. She is an incredible actress who portrays all of Jane's emotions. I am disturbed by so much change in the wordings though. Also I found myself disliking this Mr. Rochester because he SCREAMS all the times. ICK! He definitely looks over 20 years older than Jane. The best Rochester is the PBS version. This movies is still worth a look for its entertaining value!

Average customer rating:

Sidney, Arthur, Jean and of course.....miss Temple!
"Heidi (1937) ... Shirley Temple ... 20th Century Fox (2005)"
great kids movie!
Awesome!
A CLASSIC I WATCH EVERY CHRISTMAS SEASON

Heidi
Starring: Shirley Temple , Jean Hersholt , Arthur Treacher , Helen Westley , and Thomas Beck
Director: Allan Dwan
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FKPDWK
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Amazon.com essential video

One thing Shirley Temple did extremely well (besides sing, dance, and act) was turn the cranky cuddly. She'd done it effectively, two years prior, in 1935's The Little Colonel with grandfather Lionel Barrymore. Now in Heidi she turns her reclusive grumpy grandfather, Adolf (Jean Hersholt), into the loving sort she knows he really is. Heidi is an orphan, dumped into the Swiss Alps by self-centered Aunt Dete (Mady Christians) onto a grandfather she's never known, but they soon learn to love each other. Heidi's mercenary aunt returns and sells (!) Heidi to a cruel woman, appropriately named Fraulein Rottenmeier (Mary Nash). Adolf sets out on a quest to find his granddaughter. Meanwhile, Heidi charms Klara Sesemann (Marcia Mae Jones), the wealthy handicapped girl in Fraulein Rottenmeier's care. Look for a delightful Arthur Treacher as the Sesemann butler. There's a cute fantasy production number, "In Our Little Wooden Shoes," featuring Temple in various period costumes. Throughout Heidi, Temple is, as always, wonderfully joyful. This is perhaps the best-known rendering of the popular children's story by Johanna Spyri (it's been filmed some 10 times). --N.F. Mendoza

Description

Shirley Temple in a role that seems custom-made for her, portrays the spirited young heroine of the popular children's novel, giving her a rich emotional depth and infinite charm. When her aunt tires of caring for her, orphan Heidi is taken into the Swiss mountains to live with her gruff grandfather (Jean Hersholt), a hermit who comes to adore her. But the aunt returns to steal Heidi away, selling her to a family whose invalid daughter (Marcia Mae Jones) needs a companion. Bullied by an evil governess (Mary Nash), Heidi still charms the entire household and never stops trying to return to her beloved grandfather.

Customer Reviews:

Sidney, Arthur, Jean and of course.....miss Temple!.......2007-08-13

I stayed with this movie mainly because I wanted to see Sidney Blackmer who I knew from the film Rosemary's Baby. Also I was interested in Arthur Treacher who I vaguely recall as the late Merv Griffin's Ed McMann-type sidekick on his tv talk show. And I knew the name Jean Hersholt(isn't a theater named after him in New York?) so I wanted to watch him.
As the film begins though I was very much drawn into the story itself featuring of course the delightful miss Temple. It seems Shirley (Heidi) is being foisted off upon her grandfather by her could-care-less aunt and while the grandfather (Hersholt) feels initially violated with this unexpected arrival, Heidi's sunshiney disposition wins him over after not too long. During these opening scenes, as Heidi and her grandfather get to know each other, we also get to see the blossoming of Hersholt's grandfather from a very quiet and downright annoyed old man into a thoughtful and loving caretaker of his new charge. Pretty soon, grandfather is humming along to the little song Heidi sings and taking her into the village to attend church, something he hasn't done in a very long time.
Ay, but then the other shoe drops. Wicked old auntie returns one day and while grandfather is out chopping wood forces Heidi to come with her to Frankfurt to stay with an equally mean lady in charge of an invalid girl about Heidi's age. I finally got to see Sidney as a much younger man(Heidi being filmed in 1937, Rosemary's Baby, 1968)as he plays the father of the invalid girl Heidi befriends. It's fun to spot the similarities in the face of someone who is 31 years younger. And Arthur Treacher playing a wonderfully fun-loving butler is a real treat. Suffice to say Heidi's grandfather rescues her from the clutches of the terribly mean nurse and Heidi helps her new friend to walk again. But the bottom line with this movie even though it goes without saying is the sparkling presence of miss Shirley Temple. Truely a one of a kind personality in all of moviedom. There is one scene in particular that I would love to see in color(this version I saw was in black & white)and that is where Heidi is being read a bedtime story by her grandfather and dreams she is the little dutch girl from the story. The dream is a nice musical/dance number with Heidi and friends in wooden shoes.

"Heidi (1937) ... Shirley Temple ... 20th Century Fox (2005)".......2007-08-05

20th Century Fox present "HEIDI" (released: 15 October 1937) (88 mins) (B&W/Color Versions) - Under Allan Dwan (Director), Darryl F. Zanuck (Producer), Walter Ferris (Screenwriter), Julien Josephson (Screenwriter), Johanna Spyri (Book Author), Arthur C. Miller (Cinematographer), Sidney D. Mitchell (Songwriter), Lew Pollack (Songwriter), Louis Silvers (Musical Direction/Supervision / Composer (Music Score), Allen McNeil (Editor), Hans Peters (Art Director), Raymond Griffith (Associate Producer), Thomas K. Little (Set Designer), Gwen Wakeling (Costume Designer) - - - - - - American film directed by Allan Dwan which starred child-actress Shirley Temple in the title role. It was adapted from the 1880 children's book, Heidi, by Swiss author Johanna Spyri. The film also featured Jean Hersholt (as Heidi's grandfather) and Arthur Treacher as Andrews, the butler --- Heidi is an eight year-old cheerful Swiss orphan who is kidnapped by her cruel aunt who later sells her --- While Heidi's crusty-old grandfather searches for her, she brings happiness to the disabled daughter of a wealthy man --- Arthur Treacher, the comic English butler is definitely not in the original book, but he is hilarious nonetheless, bringing much delight to this warm and touching story.

the cast includes:
Shirley Temple ... Heidi Kramer
Jean Hersholt ... Adolph Kramer, The Grandfather
Arthur Treacher ... Andrews, the Butler
Helen Westley ... Blind Anna
Thomas Beck ... Pastor Schultz
Mary Nash ... Fräulein Rottenmeier
Sidney Blackmer ... Herr Sesemann
Pauline Moore ... Fräulein Elsa
Mady Christians ... Dete
Marcia Mae Jones ... Klara Sesemann
Delmar Watson ... Peter, the Goat General
Egon Brecher ... Inn Keeper
Christian Rub ... Baker
George Humbert ... Organ Grinder

BIOS:
1. Shirley Temple
Date of Birth: 23 April 1928 - Santa Monica, California
Date of Death: Still Living

2. Arthur Treacher
Date of Birth: 23 July 1894 - Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK
Date of Death: 14 December 1975 - Manhasset, New York

3. Allan Dwan (Director)
Date of Birth: 3 April 1885 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date of Death: 28 December 1981 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California

If you enjoyed this film, check out 20th Century Fox present "The Shirley Temple - America's Sweetheart Collection, Vol. 1" (Heidi/Curly Top/Little Miss Broadway) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- now in COLOR and Glorious Black and White --- In 2004, Shirley Temple teamed with Legend Films to restore, colorize and release her earliest black and white films, as well as episodes of her 1960 television series, The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection --- a patented coloring and remastering process makes her picture perfect charm more vivd than ever --- no one can resist Shirley's charm in all her heart warming films.

Hats off and thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO, CTO & Board Member) and his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 88 mins on DVD ~ 20th Century Fox Video. ~ (8/30/2005)

great kids movie!.......2007-06-15

After being totally dissapointed by the Emma Bolger version of Heidi, I purchased this one. It was beautiful. Sweet, innocent, funny, even a little sad. All the characters did an excellant job. Children don't need high paced drama to be impressed. They giggled and wiggled over parts such as Heidi milking the goat, the monkeying around, and the sleigh chase near the end. And don't forget Andrew trying to milk "Bearly" either! I am a mother with six children. We all loved this movie. I would recomend it to anyone who wants a bit of innocent entertainment.

Awesome!.......2007-04-06

WE ALL LOVE SHIRLEY TEMPLE! Espicially Heidi. I treasure this movie so much. Now for the actors, Shirley Temple was great for Heidi. Totally great. What a cute girl. Jean Hersholt was wonderful when he turned out to be a christiane. He is a great actor. Arthur Treacher is hilarious for Andrews. He is absoulutely wonderful. Helen Westley was very pretty for Blind Anna. I also like her soft voice. Pastor Schultz and Fraulein Elsa played by Thomas Beck and Paulieen Moore were a perfect match. Mary Nash acted Fraulein Rottenmier. She's scary. I thought she was going to kill Heidi that night she took her out in the streets alone. Then I thought she was going to go back and kill Klara too! Sidney Blackman was funny for Herr Sessamann. I liked him. He was great to Heidi and Klara, his daughter. Now for Mady Christaine who played Aunt Dete. She was mean. She seemed to have won the battle with Fraulein Rottenmier. Marcia Mae Jones was so cute for Klara. Porr sweet Klara is in danger! Fraulein Rottenmier didn't want her to get well. Delmar Watson was a great Peter. He was a wonderful goat general. I love this movie alot!

A CLASSIC I WATCH EVERY CHRISTMAS SEASON.......2007-03-26

This is the definitive version of this movie, I have read some reviews below and would like to clear some things up. First off, this is the full feature and nothing was cut, second the print transfer is very good. Maybe there is a better print ,but I have not seen it. There are only a hand full of her films that I will always remember and this is one of them. Curly Top,Bright Eyes and The Little Colonel were the others. The DVD has both Black and White and Colorized version. I am not a fan of colorizing anything,but since they kept the original intact, I did enjoy watching both. This is a family classic that should be added to your Christmas movie collection.

Average customer rating:

Heidi with Jason Robards
A sad adaptation
Heidi
An outstanding movie which makes you cry and laugh!
A Lovely and Hearwarming movie suitable for the whole family!

Heidi
Starring: Jason Robards , Jane Seymour , Patricia Neal , Siân Phillips , and Lexi Randall
Director: Michael Ray Rhodes
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007LXPAY
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Amazon.com

Originally made as a two-part TV miniseries, this umpteenth adaptation of Johann Spyri's novel is exceptionally easy on the eyes. Jason Robards plays the grumpy grandfather who tends for the orphaned Swiss girl. Jane Seymour chews up the scenery as the governess to a spoiled, rich city girl whom Heidi is forced to visit. The adults think the invalid Klara (Lexi Randall) needs companionship, but wise old grandpa knows she needs good mountain air and independence. Noley Thornton is sweet enough in the title role and Robards's performance provides depth. This Disney production brings little to the story, but is worth watching for its stunning Alpine vistas. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Description

Heidi, the dispossessed orphan who wants only to love and be loved, ends up charming her embittered grandfather and falling in love with the beautiful mountain he calls home. Heidi is soon uprooted and sent to Frankfurt where she befriends a young girl confined to a wheelchair. But the big city drains Heidi's spirit, and she must struggle with her memory of life in the Alps. In time, she follows her heart and finds a miracle. Starring Jason Robards and Jane Seymour, HEIDI is a triumph of love, friendship, and forgiveness that will capture everyone's heart.

Customer Reviews:

Heidi with Jason Robards.......2007-08-27

This is the most wonderful version of Heidi. I ordered it as a gift for a child.

A sad adaptation.......2007-08-19

If you know and love the original story (and I mean the unabridged book version) you will probably not like this adaptation. Heidi is one of our favorite family read-alouds--in fact, we read it for the third time last summer while living temporarily in the Swiss alps. This movie is radically different in spirit from the book, which is really a redemption story. In this version, the grandfather is cruel and cold and you really don't see him change too much, except for the obligatory "hug Heidi" scene at the end. Klara is a selfish, manipulative girl who winds up shouting at Heidi, calling her a liar, and telling her she hates her and never wants to see her again. (My children all agreed that they wished Peter had sent the wheelchair down to its doom with Klara sitting in it.) The grandmother dies. There is a quasi-happy ending, but let's just say that it doesn't leave you with a lump in your throat or tears in your eyes. The scenery is gorgeous (although entirely shot in Austria rather than Switzerland) and the beauty of it made watching the movie endurable for me, but I'm very glad I tried it out at Blockbuster first since it's definitely not one I care to own.

Once again I'm left scratching my head as to why the writer and producer thought they could improve on an already near-perfect story.

Heidi.......2007-05-21

We have read the book to our children, and have all listened to it on audio cassette, and love the original story. We also understand that stories have to be changed somewhat to fit time formats, etc. However, the extent to which this movie has been adapted is beyond reason. The somewhat horrifying first scene is a complete Hollywood fabrication, which does nothing but detract from the overall story. Heidi's Grandfather is no longer the grumpy-on-the-outside, but loving-on-the-inside man of the book. Here he is just a mean old man, with no redeeming qualities at all. Heidi's initial life on the mountains, and her subsequent removal to the city are fairly close to the original story - again, except where the Grandfather is involved. However things really start to fall apart about half way through the second act. Pretty much all of the heart-warming third act of the book, where Heidi returns to the mountains she loves, has been lost to idiotic plot twists and ridiculous melodrama. Time after time, as this movie played, we looked at each other in astonishment, wondering what had happened to the story we know and love.

An outstanding movie which makes you cry and laugh!.......2007-05-02

I watched this movie last year and it never drepeived my heart until now. It almost made me cry in the end. Jason Robards did an outstanding job as Heidi's grandfather and Noley Thornton's performance was wonderful as Heidi. Lexi Randall must not be missed because her passionate performance touched me so much. I felt quite scared when she suddenly lost her breath the first time by sobbing uncontrollabaly when Heidi told her that she would go home soon. But anyway Klara's illness was never specified. I liked Patricia Neal's and Jane Seymour's perfrmance a lot too. I really am so happy that it came on DVD.

A Lovely and Hearwarming movie suitable for the whole family! .......2007-04-12

I have watched this movie dubbed in sinhalese because it's our language and I'm a Sri Lankan. All the actors and actressers did a wonderful job especially Lexi Randall, Noley Thornton, Jane Seymour and Jason Robards.Out of these people the person whom I like the most is Jason Robards. He is such a lovable person and his performance as the grumpy grandfather was outstanding. I too would like to accept him as my grandfather just as one of the other rewiers had said. The movie goes a bit slower until after Heidi visits Frankfurt. But anyway every bit was so enchanting that I have the desire to watch it again and I will have it bought by my aunt in USA this year.

Average customer rating:

Colors Make This A Great-Looking Disc & A Fun Story
Shades of Mary Poppins!
Fun Family Movie
lovely fairy tale
Loved it

Nanny McPhee (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Emma Thompson , Colin Firth , Kelly Macdonald , Thomas Sangster , and Eliza Bennett
Director: Kirk Jones (III)
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000F1IQNC
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Colors Make This A Great-Looking Disc & A Fun Story.......2007-09-05

Shades of Mary Poppins!.......2007-08-23

Fun Family Movie.......2007-08-04

This was a fun movie for the family. lots of action for kids and good humor for adults.

lovely fairy tale.......2007-07-29

Emma Thompson, Colin Firth and all the children are delightful; especially Thomas Sangler. I want to adopt him!!!

Loved it.......2007-06-21

This was a fun movie to watch.