Sense & Sensibility (with Miss Austen Regrets) (BBC TV 2008) | 
 enlarge | Director: John Alexander
Actors: Hattie Morahan, Charity Wakefield, Dan Stevens, Janet Mcteer, Mark Williams
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $34.98
Buy New: $22.75
You Save: $12.23 (35%)
New (36) Used (6) from $20.99
Rating:  79 reviews
Sales Rank: 743
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 174
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.8
MPN: 1000036359
UPC: 883929006007
EAN: 0883929006007
ASIN: B0012OVCE6
Theatrical Release Date: February 3, 2008
Release Date: April 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New, Factory Sealed DVD w/ Free 1st Class Upgrade
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Lush, dramatic, and beautifully acted, the BBC's three-part miniseries Sense & Sensibility captures the languid urgency that resonates throughout the Jane Austen novel on which it is based. The miniseries begins with a seduction scene: As a young girl cautiously gives herself to a man, she asks, "But when will you come back?" He answers ominously, "Soon... very soon," and gallops off into the night. We know what she does not--that he will not return for her. But viewers do not learn until the end who the couple are, and how their actions set off a chain of events. It is inevitable that this period piece will be compared to the 1995 big screen adaptation that starred Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant, and won Thompson an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. To its credit, this later version stands up incredibly well, with actors whose looks match Austen's written description. And due to a longer running time than the film version, there is more attention paid to detail and minor characters. Sense & Sensibility focuses on the longings of the Dashwood sisters Elinor (Hattie Morahan) and Marianne (Charity Wakefield). After their wealthy father dies, leaving his entire estate to their milquetoast half brother John (Mark Gatiss), Elinor, Marianne, their younger sister Margaret (Lucy Boynton), and their mother are left penniless. John and his shrew-like wife Fanny move into the manor, making the Dashwoods feel like unwanted guests. It is only after Fanny's handsome and kind brother Edward Ferrars (Dan Stevens) arrives for a visit that Elinor feels happy again. Marianne, too, has attracted the attention of two suitors: serious and shy Colonel Brandon (David Morrissey) and dashing Willoughby (Dominic Cooper). Learning that the 35-year-old colonel is interested in her, a stunned Marianne says, "You do realize that it will be impossible for me to speak to him again." Her actions are that of a little girl, running away and hiding when he comes to call on her. But her feelings for Willoughby are real: the kind of love a girl feels for the first time. The differences in the sisters' choices, actions, and secrets set the tone for an era when a perceived impropriety could ruin a woman's reputation and her family's standing in a community. Filmed in England with good use of aerial shots, the production has a sweeping feel that adds a distinct flavor to the drama. As with many Austen novels, the heroines in Sense & Sensibility go through many misunderstandings before their happily-ever-after ending. But that ending leaves viewers satisfied that things turned out just the way that they should. Austen fans will be delighted with the second disc in this set: Miss Austen Regrets is a perfect companion to the miniseries, starring Olivia Williams stars as the author, and Greta Scacchi--who could easily pass as Williams' real-life sibling--as Austen's sister Cassandra. The film takes a bittersweet look at Austen's life and hints at what could have been had she married one of her suitors. Smart and headstrong, Austen refuses to cave into society's notions of what a proper woman should do. While her famous heroines all paired up with dashing gentlemen, Austen found that the loves of her life were her written creations. --Jae-Ha Kim
Product Description
From acclaimed writer Andrew Davies (BBC?s 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?Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/BBC UPC: 883929006007 Manufacturer No: 1000036359
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| Customer Reviews: Read 74 more reviews...
 disappointed by the trailers in between each episode August 17, 2008
I watched the BBC production in the UK and really enjoyed it.I couldn't wait to watch it again. You can imagine how very disappointed I was to find that at the end of an episode(there are 3)and the beginning of the next,there's " previously" or "coming up next" snippets. Who edited this dvd? It's awful. I want to see the production without that. I have the dvd,why would I need that? It's lazy editing. I am requesting my money back or exchanging it for a dvd that does not have the mini trailers included.
 4.5, really August 16, 2008
This "Sense and Sensibility" has been sometimes compared unfavorably to Ang Lee and Emma Thompson's earlier "S&S", but I personally liked it. I've always been partial to Andrew Davies, so I admit I'm biased, but then I love Emma Thompson as well.
Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield are EXCELLENT. Wakefield's Marianne is right on par with Winslet's; there are no complaints from me on Wakefield's performance. Her protestations when Elinor refuses Willoughby's gift of a horse and her slow-growing affection for Brandon are well done.
I loved Hattie Morahan; she carried off the complexity of Elinor wonderfully. She keeps an even keel throughout, so when Morahan delivers Elinor's angry retort to Willoughby at the end and Elinor rejoices with Marianne over Brandon's offer of marriage, it's all the more effective given the usual tight rein over her emotions. I hate to sound shallow, but I will say that Morahan's youth worked better for me. It's not that Thompson wasn't a fantastic Elinor, but when a visually young Elinor is more logical and thrifty than her own mother, the impact of her character is greater. One sees how very young Elinor is and how quickly she must grow up.
My favorite scene is at the end, where Marianne tells Elinor she has accepted Brandon's offer of marriage. Beautifully written and beautifully acted, it sums up the changed Elinor and the changed Marianne perfectly. Marianne has learned to look past herself - she sees Brandon for the excellent man he is and loves him, AND although she is bursting to tell her news, she is reluctant to hurt Elinor with her own happiness. It's a beautiful, mature Marianne. Elinor's concern for Marianne marrying for love is touching, but her humor is a fantastic touch - she jokes that "I must get myself a colonel too!"
I have to admit to being surprised with the male characters here. I didn't like them, and I don't know why; I've always admired how Davies makes Austen's men very three-dimensional. Davies' "Northanger Abbey", "Emma", and of course "Pride and Prejudice" did the men very well, I think. It can't be the acting, at least not with David Morrissey as Brandon. I just didn't quite get them, and I can't put my finger on why. For some reason, the Bosco Hogan 1981 Edward Ferrars sticks in my mind. These three, not so much.
A very high point - this Edward is written MUCH better than the 1995. Sorry, Ms. Thompson, but Edward was not a Regency version of the sweet, bumbling Hugh Grant. (But that's a rant for another time.)
I LOVED John Dashwood and his wife. That comical opening where Fanny Dashwood talks John Dashwood down from his plans of generous help to his half-sisters is funny, and Davies does a fantastic job doing that couple. It's clear that John does care very much for his half-sisters, but he's basically a spineless twit dominated by his wife - and what a wife! Mark Gatiss is just so amusing to watch, and Claire Skinner is just so brilliant at being snide and rude.
Miss Lucy Steele was done well, but it was her sister, Miss Steele, I remember when she accidentally blurts out that Lucy is engaged to Edward. The entire scene is just brilliant - Fanny's furious, Mrs. Ferrars is furious, Miss Steele is blubbering away. I laughed out loud - it was just too ridiculous and it was fantastic to see Lucy get her comeuppance in a major, public way.
So, all in all, a very enjoyable production and the one I'd personally keep on hand.
 An Epiphany August 12, 2008
For someone who hasn't seen or read but trivial bits of Austen since
undergraduate days, this was an Epiphany. I expected Austen's imagination and skills, but I am glad to have re-discovered this later in life, especially the civilized discourse, the concepts of politeness, discretion, kindness, etc.
One of the best, but wiuth reservations August 12, 2008
I recently watched this version of S&S while staying with friends in America, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It features the absolutely best Elinor of any screen adaptation, and most of the other characters are very well cast, although I couldn't help thinking of James Morrisey as the homicidal teacher in "Our Mutual Friend"! He was, however, leagues better for the role than Alan Rickman, in my opinion! All in all, a very faithful production, although the best in that respect remains the 1981 BBC production with Irene Richard as Elinor, who does a good acting job but just doesn't look the part; and Oh, those awful costumes the poor girl was made to wear! That production also boasted an excellent Col. Brandon and the absolutely best Willoughby, a very believable seducer looking the perfect Byronic (anti-)hero. I also liked the fuller portrayal of Mrs. Jennings in that version, as her real kindness and motherliness in remaining to nurse Marianne were shown.
The really big problem in this new version is the woefully miscast Willoughby; Marianne Dashwood would never have fallen for such a pug-nosed schoolboy! The actor had no dash or charisma, and these are essential to this character.
On the other hand, the Edward Ferrars was the first whom one could actually believe capable of making Elinor fall in love with him. The 1981 Edward was just too, too dull, and Hugh Grant, while better, played him as, well, Hugh Grant!
The cinematography in this production was beautiful and, except for the very first scene (seduction of Eliza), there's nothing to set Austen fans' teeth on edge. On the whole, an enjoyable and well-done production.
Very well done! August 8, 2008
This version of Sense and Sensibility by the BBC is very well done. The actors are very believable in their roles and do a very good job of drawing you into the story. Everyone is well cast for their role - Fanny and her mother are so evil - you just want to knock 'em in the head - they are so pretentious and evil. You can identify with Marianne and Elinor and their struggles in pursuing their loves and their heartbreaks along the way. The background music was well chosen to fit the mood of the scenes. We saw it on PBS recently and bought the DVD. It is one of mine and my wife's favorite versions of this story.
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