Customer Reviews
Another great picture! 
2008-05-13
The acting in this adaptation is superb and most believable! Jane Austen would be proud, I think!
Jane Austen and Masterpiece Theatre fans beware 
2008-05-12
Like many Jane Austen fans I was excited at the prospect of this newer adaptation of Mansfield Park by Masterpeice Theatre. I had viewed Persuation and Northanger Abby and was pleased with these versions-although they should have been longer. However I was thoroughly disappointed with this version of Mansfield Park. Don't waste your time and money on this one.I suppose that Materpeice Theatre is allowed to produce a dud film once a season-just once please for the sake of your loyal viewers.
Masterpiece Theatre- Mansfield Park 2008-05-03
I want my money back on this Dvd. This movie is totally awful. I couldn't watch this and this didn't feel like a Jane Austen Movie. Billie Piper was wrong for the role of Fanny Price. The version with Frances O' Connor is wonderful and she is a wonderful Fanny Price.
Simply dreadful - what a disappointment! 2008-04-28
I'm having trouble deciding which of the four new Austen adaptations is the worst, Mansfield Park or Persuasion. After some consideration, I've decided this one wins the prize. The basic story is that a humble, meek poor relation comes to live with a grand family, an act of charity they intend will "improve" her. In the end, she improves them. Fanny is the one with steadfast moral character and the strength around which the family gathers in time of crisis. This version ended up as a kind of Harlequin romance in historic costume, with Fanny alternating between child-like romping and sexy, smoldering looks of burning passion. When will movie makers get it that there is something going on in Austen's work besides a romance?
The only successful adaptation I've seen is the Sylvestra Le Touzel version from twenty-odd years ago. It is sadly dated now and looks like a stage play on film, so it could stand to be updated. I'm sadly beginning to think this will never be done well.
Glad I didn't buy it 
2008-04-14
I love Jane Austen and this version of Mansfield Park, well, who ever decided on the costumes should be fired. Through the entire movie I kept telling Fannie 'put your hair up'. The Bertram's would have had her put her hair up and have her be presentable. For her and all the other women, I kept wanting to tell them 'cover your chest'. The dresses weren't even from Jane's time period. The only thing I LOVED about this version was Edmund's discovery of loving Fannie and his mother's awareness to support it.
horrible and slow 2008-07-24
I couldn't get into this verison of Mansfield Park at all. Everyone was unmoving and boring, and the lead actress was homely looking and reminded me of a blonde British pig. What were they thinking?
What were they thinking? 2008-07-01
Why Billie Piper? There are so many gifted actresses who would have made this role believable. Blake Ritson is new to me, but I really enjoyed him as Edmund. But how to get past the glaring miscast of Billie Piper? What were they thinking?
I own and enjoy the version from the 1980's starring someone with the improbable name of Sylvestra LaTouzel. She's just right, in my opinion.
So disappointed! 2008-06-09
I was so looking forward to a new version of Mansfield Park. Most of us were disappointed in the 1999 movie. This version turns out to be disappointing for much the same reason as the 1999 movie.
1. Most of the characters in the movie don't resemble the characters in the book. Did the director ever read Mansfield Park?
2. The story line has been completely changed. For instance, after refusing Mr. Crawford, Fannie doesn't go to visit her family. This is a major part of the story. Why on earth would they right this out of the plot?
3. The acting seems lifeless.
4. If you are fond of Jane Austen's work this version will make you mad. If you want to watch it, rent it before buying it.
The original BBC production is still the best.
disappointing 2008-06-02
I was very disappointed. I hated the lead actress, Billie Piper. She's awful and just ruined the movie for me. She is so homely and awkward that it's really hard to watch her. My husband refused to keep watching the movie after the first 15 minutes. I finished it because it's one of my favorite stories. This version was better than the 1999 one with Hannah Taylor-Gordon, which butchered the story and misrepresented many of the characters horribly. The only accurate portrayal of this story is the old BBC version with the cheesy staging and bad filming. This version is pretty true to the story, but a lot of detail is left out. I read the book and loved it, so I'm still hoping for a good movie.
distracting 2008-06-01
While I am a Janeite, I often enjoy adaptations that vary from Austen's original work. So, I was surprised when I disliked this one so much. I have watched almost every TV and movie version of Jane Austen's fiction. Before I saw this one, the strongest objections that I had were a few significant deviations from Austen's intentions and a few versions that were just plain boring.
When I saw this version of Mansfield Park, I was so distracted by Billie Piper's appearance that I could not suspend disbelief and enjoy the story. Her hair color does not occur naturally, now or in any century. The ensuing contrast with her dark eye brows was jarring every time she was on screen. I didn't get used to it for the entire movie.
If they were trying to create Fanny Price, why did they go for the Madonna ("Like a Virgin") look?
Different actress? Different hair color? Lighten the eye brows? All seem like good alternatives.
It seems like we will have to wait a bit longer for a classic movie version of Mansfield Park. Maybe someone could convince Simon Langton to give it a try!
