Jane Eyre (1997)

Not the Best Version...Not the Worst

Having read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte in high school and having viewed many version of Jane Eyre, I believe this version is not the best or even the second best - and hence, not worth a person's time or money.

My reasons are as follows:
(1) The film is too short, leaving out too much of the novel. For instance, it completely skips Jane's conversation with her Aunt Reed when her aunt is on her deathbed.

(2) The acting is not as good as might be desired. The actors playing Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester just do not have the correct chemisty. (Disclaimer: I must admit that I always liked Timothy Dalton's performance in the 1983 BBC version, so my judgement might be impaired)

(3) The film does not develop the relationship between Jane and St. John Rivers nearly as much as it should have. Hence, it might be difficult for the viewer who has not read the novel to realize what a difficult choice Jane must make when she decides to refuse St. John's offer.

I recommend the following:

(1) Jane Eyre (1983) with Timothy Dalton and Zelah Clarke - a BBC production totaling 311 minutes

(2) Jane Eyre (2006) with Ruth Wilson (II); Toby Stephens - a Masterpiece Theatre production totaling 228 minutes

Note:
However, I enjoyed this version more than the Jane Eyre (2003) Miramax production with William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg. January 3, 2009

If You've Never Seen or Read Jane Eyre:

either skip this one all together, or watch it first- because it's pretty bad.

jane eyre has been my favourite book (i could read the book and watch most of the film versions any time with pleasure) since i was very young, and i ordered this copy thinking i would like it as much as the others.
wrong.

the acting is decent (i wouldn't expect less from Ciarán Hinds), the setting isn't too shabby, and it's fairly true to the the story- however there are few points that drove me absolutely crazy and kept me from getting swept up into the story.

1.) Mr.Rochester is a gruff, touchy type who likes his own way, he does NOT however, scream and yell at the drop of a hat. from the first scene, that's what he pretty much does the entire rest of the film.

2.) samantha morton just isn't jane eyre. period.

3.) Ciarán Hinds' mustache. it made him look like Hitler in a lot of scenes, and quite frankly it ruins all the heart rending moments.


it's sad, because i really wanted to like this movie. i even watched it twice. no good. January 1, 2009

Avoid this version at all costs

I won't write a diatribe about what I hated with this version, so I'll sum it up in as few points as possible:

-Samantha Morton too cute and young - she looked like she was 12
-Ciaran Hinds: too old and creepy for the part, came across as a raging, shouting bull during the whole movie. Rochester was an angry man but he wasn't THAT angry all the time.
-No chemistry whatsoever between the two characters. Samantha Morton looked mortified to have to kiss Ciaran Hinds in the kissing scenes. Frankly, I'd be mortified too.

Avoid this version as well as the William Hurt/Charlotte Gainsbourg versions- don't let your curiosity to see another version of Jane Eyre get the best of you. They're both awful. See the Timothy Dalton/Zelah Clarke and Toby Stephens/Ruth Wilson versions instead.
October 19, 2008

A different view of a classic.

I thoroughly enjoyed this version of one of my favourite novels. Both of the main actors gave credible and passionate performances to their characters. August 29, 2008

Jane Eyre (A&E, 1997)

Not a great version. Both Jane and Edward come off as angry and hard instead of the sympathy inspiring characters they are in the book. The Timothy Dalton version is much better and truer not only to the book, but to the spirit of the book. Jane does not leave Thornfield because of her pride as intimated in this version, she leaves because it would be morally wrong to stay. The whole book is about doing the right thing despite the main character's own personal desires. That in the end is what brings her happiness. Check out the other version before you buy this one. June 26, 2008

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