S: I saw the 1995 adaptation last year, and I recently watched the 2007 adaptation. Honestly, I think both are well done! I do like that there are some familiar faces in the 1995 one from some of my favourite movies: Fiona Shaw, who played Aunt Petunia from the Harry Potter movies, is Mrs. Croft, Victoria Hamilton, who played Mrs. Forster in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice adaptation, is Henrietta Musgrove, and (this is my favourite) Samuel West, who played King Caspian in 1989’s adaptation of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, is Mr. Elliot! Oh, and we mustn’t forget that Ciaran Hinds, the indomitable Captain Wentworth, played Aberforth Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2! (Side note – Aberforth Dumbledore is one of my favourite characters in the Harry Potter universe.)

R: It’s always fun to see familiar actors in these movies! The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is my favorite Narnia book and my favorite of the BBC adaptations, partly because of Samuel West! They chose great actors to play Anne’s family. I was infuriated with them within the first few minutes of the movie! One of the actor choices that surprised me was Ciarán Hinds (Captain Wentworth). I felt he was far too old to be Frederick. I know there is several years’ age difference between Frederick and Anne, but I had a hard time feeling sympathetic toward him, or believing Louisa’s interest in him, as much as they tried to build it up.

Even with all of that, the scene when Anne and Frederick meet again after Anne reads his letter just about brought me to tears.

S: I agree with you that I had not pictured him as quite that old when I read the book. Oh, I loved when they were reunited! 

This version shows well how her father and sisters take advantage of her, but it also shows that she is, by others, very loved and respected. This adaptation is interesting because her sisters act as though they are jealous of her, whereas when I read the book, I saw them as more self-absorbed and just didn’t give a thought to her. 

R: Agreed! I enjoyed how they quickly established how Anne is treated by each of the other characters.

S: I also like how the actress portrays her: although it may take her a while, she is still able to speak her mind, it’s just that no one really listens. 

One of the funniest scenes is when she visits the Musgroves and everyone, save Mr. Musgrove, confides in her – I rewound it and watched it again, it made me smile so much.

R: That was a great scene! It went a long way toward establishing Anne’s place in the family and how they all view her. 

S: It does surprise me that in the movie more people remember Frederick and Anne’s interaction years before, but in the book, as I mention in our first discussion over it, it appears that no one remembers they were at all acquainted. I don’t mind it so much that the movie added this in, but it did throw me a bit and had me wonder if I was remembering the story correctly. 

I also enjoy the congeniality of the Crofts between each other, Anne, and Frederick; the interactions the larger Musgrove family has are very fitting! Their family does not seem stilted or as though they are pretending to like one another; they’re very loving. 

R: I loved that as well! Other than Anne, the Crofts were probably my favorite characters, in both the book and movie. It was nice to see a portrayal of a couple that actually love and respect one another. 

S: Agreed! 

Something that drew me into this movie is that the viewer gets a very good idea of the beauty of the English countryside; the scenery shots are lovely. And the music! So beautiful.

R: The costumes and scenery are excellent, as are all the Jane Austen adaptations of that era, though the British navy hats are somewhat ridiculous-looking, as are some of Sir Walter’s clothes. I assume those were some of the fashions of the times, however. 

I loved the candlelit and firelit scenes! Many historical movies are lit as if there is modern lighting, but the candlelight and firelight lent to the melancholy or intimate moods of many of the scenes.

S: Yes! The lighting choices are lovely. 

Oh, when Frederick helps Anne up for the Crofts to take her home after their walk – all the feels! 

R: Ah, the delightfully awkward meeting in Bath between Anne and Frederick! That was probably one of my favourite scenes.

S: Yes! It was so sweet and funny and heartwrenching!

Frederick’s letter scene, the circus scene, and the ship scene at the end are so beautiful and endearing.

Even though I said in our last post that this wasn’t one of my favourites of her novels, the movie has made me want to reread the book! Well, let’s be honest – I just want to reread all the things I’ve read by her!

R: As with all movie adaptations of Jane Austen’s works, events had to be compressed or left out, but overall, they did the story justice. I didn’t feel too much of a lack. I wish they hadn’t skipped over Mrs. Smith’s history with Mr. Elliot. It made the conveyance of his true character much more gossipy than as a true desire to save Anne from a disastrous marriage. Other than this, though, I thought the movie was quite well done and enjoyable. 

S: I quite agree! We really didn’t get that much of his sneakiness. Still, there is just so much to enjoy about this movie!

We are planning on a wrap-up post over the last few years of our journey through Jane Austen’s prayers and major works; our goal is to have it out in August.