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 green striped gown with velvet Spencer jacket Julia Davis (Elizabeth Elliot) wears at Kellynch Hall is the same costume Anna Chancellor (Caroline Bingley) wears at Netherfield Hall in "Pride and Prejudice" (1995). However, the bottom portion of the gown, cut on the bias, has been removed for the later film. This gown also appears in "Vanity Fair" (1998) worn by Vicki Pepperdine (Ann Dobbin) in the park scenes, and by an extra at the London party where Annabella Milbanke meets Byron in Byron (2003) (TV). The Spencer also appears, without the striped gown, in "Little Dorrit" (2008), worn by Emma Pierson as Fanny Dorrit.

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:

Sir Walter Elliot: I must say, though, the worst of Bath is the number of plain women. I frequently observe that one pretty face would be followed by five and thirty frights.

Movie Connections:

Version of "Persuasion" (1971)

Soundtrack:

German Dance in D Major

Incandescently Charming Adaptation Will Set Your Heart Aglow

I was swept up by this brilliant adaptation from second one, when a young woman looked straight at me with melancholic eyes in an extreme close up. I was engaged, I was on her side and watched, utterly spellbound, as her story unravelled.

A clever script manages, with all the cuts and changes which are invariably part of all adaptations, to distill the spirit of Jane Austen's novel unerringly. Wonderful leads (Rupert Penry-Jones is a warm-hearted, dashing Wentworth and Sally Hawkins is a delightfully sweet tempered Anne Elliot) and an outstanding supporting cast breathe life and immediacy into the plot. Creative film making ideas give the production a fresh face and make for memorable, visually gorgeous film moments. The pacing is swift but never hurried. And last but not least, I loved the musical score!

Watching this sent me walking on cloud 9 for days. I have watched it several times since and am still discovering new marvels because there are many levels to explore in this gem. Don't miss it!