No, this is not the new Emma (2020) directed by Autumn de Wilde and starring Anya Taylor-Joy as Emma and Bill Nighy as Mr. Woodhouse. This 2009 version was broadcast on PBS’s Masterpiece Theater but somehow we missed it. In the lukewarm review of the new Emma, the Wall Street Journal raved about this wonderful version so of course I had to pick up a copy and watch it.
The BBC Emma the episodes were written by Sandy Welch, writer of previous BBC series Jane Eyre and North & South, and directed by Jim O’Hanlon. This version of Emma stars Romola Garai as the spoiled Emma Woodhouse, Jonny Lee Miller as Emma’s loyal, lifelong friend Mr. Knightley, and Michael Gambon as Emma’s father, Mr. Woodhouse. I enjoyed the talented cast and the detail from Jane Austen’s 1815 novel. Yes, Emma is a brash, pampered socialite, but she learns some hard lessons by the end of this series.
Are you a Jane Austen fan? Do you like Emma? GRADE: A
This is my favorite adaptation. I do like the Gwyneth Paltrow version, but this is by far my favorite. Based on the trailers, I have no interest in seeing the new one.
Carl, I have one more version of EMMA to check out, but I agree with you: the BBC version of EMMA is the best!
EMMA is fine, but I like PERSUASION and PRIDE & PREJUDICE more.
Deb, I’m a big fan of PERSUASION. And the six-episode 1995 British television drama version of Pride and Prejudice, adapted by Andrew Davies Austen’s 1813 novel, is a favorite. I love Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr Darcy.
I realize I’m in the minority, but I find Austen mania baffling. In college I had to read “Emma” for a course in the English Novel and later I struggled through P & P on my own. Of the legendary English novelists, only Richardson is more boring.
Michael, I read Samuel Richardson’s CLARRISSA (over 1500 pages!) for a college course. I know what you mean.
I am, like Michael, baffled by the Austen Industry. I have nothing against her or her books, though the only one I’ve read is PRIDE & PREJUDICE, and not by choice. (It was OK.) As for EMMA, my preferred version is probably CLUELESS. We will probably see the new version as Jackie wants to get in as many movies as possible while we’re down here, and watchable fare is thin on the ground at the moment. (I talked her out of CALL OF THE WILD after seeing the reviews.)
I’m surprised you haven’t seen SONIC THE HEDGEHOG yet, George.
Jeff, I was never a SONIC THE HEDGEHOG fan. I am a fan of CALL OF THE WILD–the novel, not the Harrison Ford movie. And, I enjoyed CLUELESS as much as you did!
had a college course in Austen and the Brontes. I never warmed to either so I tend to avoid filmed versions. At least their novels were not particularly long and were easy to read. I agree on Richardson. Such a bore especially compared to Henry Fielding whom I loved.
I agree with Jeff. Pretty slim pickings on the film side of things right now until the new Bond movie opens. I’ll probably see The Gentlemen a second time.
Steve, you’re right. We’re in the Dead Zone for movies right now until the Bond movie shows up. We’ve been catching up on all the TV programs we’ve DVRed.
I’m sure the new one about to come out is lush in cinematography, but this one is better. I saw only the first couple of episodes before I stopped, don’t recall why.
Rick, I have another version of EMMA on order. I’ll compare that with the various versions now available including the new EMMA opening here next week.