Jane Eyre (1997) (TV)

Director:

Robert Young

Writers:

Charlotte Brontë (novel)
Richard Hawley (writer)

Release Date:

19 October 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Charlotte Bronte's classic novel is filmed yet again. The story of the Yorkshire orphan who becomes...

Plot Keywords:

Poverty | Estate | Country Life | Governess | Orphan

Cast

Deborah Findlay	...	Mrs. Reed
Laura Harling	...	Young Jane
Joanna Scanlan	...	Bessie
Ben Sowden	...	John Reed
Barbara Keogh	...	Miss Abbot
David Gant	...	Mr. Brocklehurst
Emily Joyce	...	Miss Temple
Gemma Eglinton	...	Helen Burns
Ruth Mitchell	...	Miss Scatchered
Dominique Belcourt	...	Anna
Samantha Morton	...	Jane Eyre
Gemma Jones	...	Mrs. Fairfax
Timia Berthome	...	Adele (as Timia Berthomé)
Hermione Gulliford	...	Sophie
Ciarán Hinds	...	Edward Rochester (as Ciaran Hinds)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | French

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Finland:K-8 (video premiere) | Germany:6 | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Knebworth House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Movie Connections:

Version of "Jane Eyre" (2006) (mini)

Soundtrack:

Nocturne in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2

A wonderful, if short, adaptation

The latest A&E production of Jane Eyre was short but satisfying. While it might have benefited from being longer, they managed to tell the basic story and retain the emotional impact. Unless you're an unforgiving purist, the cuts shouldn't detract from your appreciation of the movie. And if you are an unforgiving purist (there is nothing wrong with that), go find a copy of the Timothy Dalton '83 adaptation.

The biggest point of contention seems to be the performance styles. Peoples' takes on the way Mr. Rochester should be played tend to vary. I've seen the productions with William Hurt and George C. Scott criticized for having a Rochester who was so restrained he might as well have been the heroine in a Jane Austin novel. These people felt Rochester should be played passionately and with fire. After all, he's a manipulative would-be bigamist. Then there are people who feel Hinds was too wild in his portrayal of Rochester and a more restrained, subtle approach was warranted.

If you want a restrained, subtle Rochester, don't watch this version or the Timothy Dalton BBC production from '83. Go for the William Hurt or George C. Scott adaptations of Jane Eyre. If you're like me and you'd prefer a wilder Rochester, you'll probably enjoy both the '97 A&E and '83 BBC productions.