Alert Janeite Cinthia wrote to tell us that BBC America has announced on its Upcoming DVD Releases blog that it is releasing some of the treasure from its vaults, including the 1971 production of Sense and Sensibility! Since it’s BBC Video, we also have hopes for Region 2.
There is no way to directly link to the post (which starts with a photo of a 1967 adaptation of Wuthering Heights), but this is what it says:
We’re also finally releasing the 1971 production of Sense & Sensibility with a classic comic performance from Patricia Routledge as Mrs. Jennings. The key roles were played by such rising young stars of the day as Joanna David as the sensible Elinor Dashwood, and Ciaran Madden as her passionate sister Marianne. You may remember Robin Ellis (Edward Ferrars) and Clive Francis (John Willoughby) from Poldark of the same era.
We are thoroughly delighted by the idea of Patricia Routledge as Mrs. Jennings!
Ooh, I can’t wait to see Mrs. Bucket/Hetty Wainthrop as Mrs. Jennings. That’ll be great to see.
Comment by Ben M — June 11, 2009 @ 11:49 am
I don’t care about Region 2, I have a multi-region DVD player. Patricia Routledge is wonderful in anything (I saw her live some years ago as Mrs Malaprop in The Rivals – she completely stole the show, though the other actors were all very good)and will buy this just for her.
Comment by Kathleen G — June 11, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
I have this version (I bought it from Holland), and it has some good things to recommend it. Joanna David makes a lovely Elinor, but Ciaran Madden falls into the overacting trap with Marianne, as does the woman who plays their mother. The costuming is occasionally hilarious, but not as bad ast that in the 1971 Persuasion. The pacing is also on the slow side, as per many other early 1970s costume dramas. And without a doubt, Patricia Routledge is just perfect.
Comment by AmandaJ — June 11, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
I bought this from a Dutch site too. It has a fab Lucy, a lovely Elinor and a very attractive Edward. Ciaran Madden was dreadful, IMHO. Worth watching, if you get the chance.
Hopefully the ’60’s BBC adaptation of P&P will be released on DVD eventually too.
Comment by Helen B — June 12, 2009 @ 2:58 am
Yes, it is a wonderful adaptation in the true BBC tradition. I do remember the Dutch site coming up with its sale and many of us bought it (region 2).
Glad to read the Janeites in US will now have the chance.
Comment by Reeba — June 12, 2009 @ 10:52 am
It may be because it’s the most recent version I’ve seen (save S&S3), but this is the one version that didn’t rush through the whole bit at Cleveland. It’s the one where the growing relationship between Joanna David’s Elinor and Patricia Routledge’s Mrs. Jennings makes the most sense. And, yeah, one of the foxiest Edward Ferrarses ever
Comment by Jen K — June 12, 2009 @ 9:39 pm
I think I will pass….I think ive had enough of Austens films-Especally the terrible bbc films of the 70’s and 80’s….These make itv look like masterpiece theater….
Comment by James — June 18, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
I beg to differ James, although the production values of the 1970’s and 1980’s adaptations have not aged well (one needs to make allowance to those constraints and get use to them) they were more worthy of Masterpiece Theatre (the true one) since they are very faithful adaptations, in comparison the travesties that ITV presented recently and which are very telling of how low has the new Masterpiece fallen.
Comment by Cinthia — June 21, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
I loved S&S71. Patricia Routledge is my favorite Mrs. Jennings. Joanna David was a terrific Elinor, and Robin Ellis made Edward Ferrars sexy. I got a particular kick out of the scene where Elinor goes to visit Edward and his frilly shirt is all unbuttoned.
Being able to get past the antiquated production values is not easy, but for those who can manage it, they will be rewarded. There are a lot of good performances in some of these older versions. P&P80, for example, has some outstanding performances, particularly among the secondary characters. Same with MP83.
Comment by Julie P. — June 29, 2009 @ 8:35 am