Customer Reviews
Delightful movies 
2008-07-05
I watched Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion on PBS, but had missed the showing of Miss Austen Regrets. When I saw that all three were in one package for a great price, I jumped at the chance. This is my favorite version of Sense and Sensibility and I really enjoyed Miss Austen Regrets. I thought it would be more of a documentary, but it was quite engaging - along the lines of Becoming Jane. There is an audio version of a documentary on the DVD as well. It is at least an hour long. There is a good amount packed into one package!
Must-see! 2008-06-30
We're huge fans of the A&E production of "Pride & Prejudice" so we were thrilled when we learned that the same producers had created this collection. It is everything we were hoping for-- superb acting, breathtaking settings and a riveting Jane Austen storyline.
Wonderful product, great price.. As always 2008-06-18
This is a lovely gift set at an excellent price. The shipping is of course free with super saver shipping.. Even so, items always arrive promptly. When I'm looking for quality with a good price and security I can rely on I always shop amazon. -Claire-
The definitive Persuasion! ... and there is life past Emma Thompson! ... Who knew???? 2008-06-15
I am a dedicated Janeite ... Jane is my favorite author; although I am not much of a "chick lit chick" Jane is comfort food. As I see her she is the original DIY Riot Grrrl who would give Kathleen Hanna a real run for her Rebel Girl money. I've read the books more times than I can think of; cut a wide swath through the literary criticism; read the few remaining letters Cassandra didn't see fit to burn, and have seen every movie adaption out there. And I agree with, I think it was EM Forester who said, "Jane will get you out of a tight spot!"
I am not excessively critical of Austen movie adaptations as I seem to enjoy them all; I just like some better than others. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth still "own" Pride and Prejudice in my humble opinion ... I think it will be awhile before those two are truly unseated from their respective roles of Lizzy Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. And although there is a lot of blather about Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds being too old to play Anne Elliot and Fredrick Wentworth I heartily disagree -- they contributed wonderful performances in their Persuasion roles, supported by the absolutely fabulous character actors Sophie Thompson who played a hilarious sister Mary and Corin Redgrave who played an equally hilarious Sir Walter Elliot.
It was with some reticence that I purchased the Sense and Sensibiity Collector Set ... but what the heck, I get three films focusing on Jane Austen, including the latest adaptation of Persuasion which is my favoriate Austen novel and an update of Sense and Sensibility thrown in for good measure.
I am truly delighted by Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry-Jones who was every bit her equal as the upwardly mobile Fredrick Wentworth. It was also really cool to see Anthony Head post "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" as the vapid, vain and mean! Sir Walter ... which is such a departure from his Giles-Buffy days. The only real complaint, albeit a picayune minor one at that, is Julia Davis, who plays Elizabeth Elliot, is wearing a really bad wig. This is a stunning adaptation and Simon Burke is to be heartily commended as is Rebecca Eaton who once again proves why she is "The Master" in Masterpiece Theatre! One final note: This is the BEST on-screen kiss I have EVER seen ... topping even Billy Crudup and Claire Danes in Stage Beauty! (and they were for real).
PS The Andrew Davies adaptation of Sense and Sensibility and Olivia Williams as Jane Austen in Miss Austen Regrets are also phenomenal! This collection is a triple treat!
Collector's Set 
2008-06-09
Sense & Sensibility excellent; adapted by the wonderful Andrew Davies; however, Emma Thompson's adaptation should not be missed; Persuasion disk was damaged which is a great disappointment
very romantic Jane Austen Classic 2008-06-07
1) Sense and Sensibility From acclaimed writer Andrew Davies (BBCs Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth) comes this enchanting new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel about love and marriage. Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve when she falls in love with the charming but unsuitable John Willoughby ignoring her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behavior leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Elinor sensitive to social convention struggles to conceal her own romantic disappointment even from those closest to her. Will the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love? 2) Miss Austen Regrets A biopic unraveling the secrets of the elusive author based on Jane Austen's actual letters and diaries. 3) Persuasion Anne Elliot fell deeply in love with the handsome young naval officer Frederick Wentworth at the age of nineteen. But with neither fortune nor rank to recommend him Anne was persuaded to break off her engagement. Eight years later Anne has lived to regret her decision. She never stopped loving Wentworth and when he returns from sea with fortune and rank she can only watch as every eligible young woman in the district falls at his feet.Running Time: 269 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/BBC UPC: 883929011476 Manufacturer No: 1000037335
Long live Jane Austen 2008-06-05
Sense & Sensibility Collector's Set (Sense & Sensibility 2008 / Miss Austen Regrets / Persuasion 2007) I ordered this set of DVD's after viewing the PBS Series "Classical Masterpiece" with Gilian Anderson. I have yet to view the DVD's but have every confidence that at least 2 of the 3 will be exactly what I expect them to be. I thoroughly enjoyed Sense and Sensibility 2008 and Persuasion 2007. I have now seen 2 productions of
S&S and I believe I enjoyed this latest version even more than the Emma Thompson one (which I also have). The 2008 production seems to have more detail and in some ways is a better, truer reproduction of Jane Austen's novel.
Read the books 
2008-06-01
The recent Austen series was a disaster. What is more troubling is that people are not struck by thefact. The film of Persuasion with Ciarn Hinds was quite beautiful--the one just presented was a travesty. As was Mansfield Park which bore no relation to what is one of the most complex noels of the 19th century. I thought Pride and Prejudice quite well done--I especially enjoyed the extra footage. Davies had a chance to make an excellent Sense and Sensibility. He did not. It had some scenes that Emma Thompson's film left out, but he put them in (I am thinking of Elinor's confrontation with Willoughby which is meant to be genuinly tempting) to no effect.
I have just finished teaching course on Austen--and I can report this was the general opinion of the class. Read the books--slowely. Example: Margerate in Davies' film "I wish someone would dive us each a thousand pounds" Well yes--but in Austen it is prefaced by Margerate had a NOVEL thought...Austen uses word play for fun and in earnest. By the way--thouh most of the titles are transparent (though Northnger abbey and Persuasion were not hers) The title Mansfield Park is quite important. I guess Austen is doomed to be "beloved" instead of being appreciated as the equal of Shakespeare--a Lewes pointed out over 150 years ago
Jane Austen BBC movies 2008-05-31
As a fan of not only Jane Austen's books, but also the movie adapations, I truly enjoyed these 2 new BBC movies. "Persuasion" is one of my favorite Jane Austen books and this new BBC adaption is wonderful. The version of "Sense & Sensibility" that is included in this set is also excellent and is just as good as, if not better, than the movie version with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. This set is a must for any Jane Austen fan.
Three movies worth owning 2008-05-25
This is my first Amazon review, but I felt moved to write one after seeing the criticism heaped on this version of Persuasion. I will admit to never having seen the 1995 version, but I've ordered it and I will update this review if it inspires me to!
That said, I think this version of Persuasion was really wonderful. To those who say that the ending is silly/makes no sense/offends them, I say - ok. Yes, it is silly. No, it is not what Jane Austen wrote. But that does not ruin the movie, at least not for me. Sally Hawkins's facial expressions are enough to make the movie worth watching with the sound off - not that I recommend doing this, because the music is one of the better features of this movie! Sense and Sensibility also has a very moving score, and the music in both of these adaptations is one of the things that differentiates them from earlier versions.
The cinematography is also much more modern, which works surprisingly well with the period setting. The locations are gorgeous, the camera work is good, and altogether these adaptations make you feel like you've watched a movie, and not a play on film.
The acting has already been accurately described in many other reviews - Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones are excellent in Persuasion. Hattie Morahan steals the show in Sense and Sensibility. Willoughby is miscast. But there are very few moments in either film to be disappointed by (the end of Persuasion notwithstanding).
If you are looking for the "definitive" adaptation of either of these novels, I cannot claim that one of these is definitely it - but I am glad to have them in my DVD library and I think I'll watch them often!
