When I'm having a bad day my favourite remedy, as well as curling up with a massive bar of chocolate, is to watch a romantic period drama. My favorites are those that are based on classic romance novels so I thought instead of doing this week's Top Ten Tuesday topic, I'd do my top ten favourite TV and film adaptations of Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell and Charlotte Brontë's novels. Because I will take literally any excuse to talk about these!
1. North and South (2004 TV miniseries)
"Elizabeth Gaskell's classic explores the simmering, restrained passion between two very different people who fall in love in site of themselves."
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There are no words to describe my love for this miniseries. I'd not even heard of Elizabeth Gaskell before my Aunt showed us this when we visited her house at Christmas last year but North and South is now a firm favourite of mine. If you're not familiar with the story either I'd say its quite similar to Pride and Prejudice in some aspects, although it has a richer and darker storyline. BUT IT IS SO LOVELY. Especially Richard Armitage. That voice *sigh*.
TRY AND STOP ME.
2. Pride and Prejudice (1995 TV miniseries)
"The romance, drama and humour of Jane Austen's greatest novel are perfectly captured by an all-star cast in this 1995 adaptation by award winning writer Andrew Davies."
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Obviously this one needs no explanation! Although I'm probably more likely to reach for the 2005 film version if I need a Pride and Prejudice fix, this one takes the lead because of its longer storyline. I still watch this from start to finish once or twice a year. It really is a timeless classic!
3. Pride and Prejudice (2005 film)
"Sparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy. But Mr. Darcy reluctantly finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class. Can each overcome their own pride and prejudice?"
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This film is so, so beautiful. Just, ugh. I'm struck every time I watch it by how visually stunning it is. The cast is also just as excellent in this adaptation as the famous 1995 TV version above.
4. Austenland
"Obsessed with Pride and Prejudice (1995), a woman travels to a Jane Austen theme park in search for her perfect gentleman."
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This film recently replaced Bridget Jones as my favourite comedy pick-me-up film. The storyline is by no means groundbreaking but if you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice and love a good comedy, I'd definitely recommend looking this up. Plus JJ Field. Nuff' said.
If you haven't seen this film, this GIF should be reason enough for you to run out and hunt down a copy right now!
5. Sense and Sensibility (1995 film)
"Rich Mr. Dashwood dies, leaving his second wife and her three daughters poor by the rules of inheritance. The two eldest daughters are the titular opposites."
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Fun fact (and completely not related to how brilliant this film is, and it is brilliant!): one of the filming locations for this film is literally up the road from where I live!
This is too adorable for words!
6. Jane Eyre (2006 TV miniseries)
"A young governess falls in love with her brooding and complex master. However, his dark past may destroy their relationship forever."
7. Mansfield Park (2007 TV film)
"In one of Austen's most complex plots, Billie Piper (Doctor Who, The Ruby in the Smoke) stars as Fanny Price, who goes to live with prosperous relatives at Mansfield Park."
8. Becoming Jane (2007 film)
"A biographical portrait of a pre-fame Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman."
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This is partly based on a biographical book about Jane Austen's life rather than one of her novels but I had to include it here because it is so lovely.
*swoon*
9. Death Comes to Pemberley
"Elizabeth and Darcy, now six years married, are preparing for their annual ball when festivities are brought to an abrupt halt. An adaptation of PD James's homage to Pride and Prejudice."
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I'm a bit surprised I ranked this one so highly considering I hated it the first time I watched it! While it is a great show and I think the murder mystery element to it is really well done, Elizabeth and Darcy seem completely wrong to me. It's nothing to do with the actors, the whole cast is brilliant but I should imagine it comes from the book or the script. They're just not Austen's Elizabeth and Darcy for me at all but if you can get past that it is actually a pretty good watch.
10. Emma (1996 TV film)
"Emma Woodhouse has a rigid sense of propriety as regards matrimonial alliances. Unfortunately she insists on matchmaking for her less forceful friend, Harriet, and so causes her to come to grief. Through the sharp words of Mr. Knightley, and the example of the opinionated Mrs. Elton, someone not unlike herself, Emma's attitudes begin to soften..."
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There are so many great adaptations of Emma but this one comes out tops for me because of Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong.
Honorable mentions: Emma (1996 film & 2009 TV miniseries), Northanger Abbey (2007 TV film), Jane Eyre (2011 film), The Jane Austen Book Club and Lost In Austen.
Before anyone bats me across the head for not including any Persuasion adaptations, I haven't seen them for years and have forgotten almost everything about them but I'm sure if I could remember them I'd probably include at least one on this list! I also haven't seen any other adaptations of Elizabeth Gaskell's books (e.g. Wives and Daughters and Cranford) so this list might be different after I'd seen those.
Which of these would make your list? Are there any I haven't mentioned that you'd include?
Film posters/DVD covers from Google Images, GIFs from Tumblr
