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FRIDAY FLICK: Mansfield Park
Long before ITV1 got their hands on Austen, when Billie Piper was but a babe in arms (well, almost), was this 1996 version of Mansfield Park, starring Frances O'Connor and Johnny Lee Miller.
It's the story of Fanny Price, the poor relation sent to live with her uncle and benefactor Sir Thomas Bertram (plus her auntie and distant cousins). But from whence comes all of Sir Bertram's money? (And more importantly, isn't Johnny Lee Miller rather dishy?! )
I have to say, I really enjoyed this film, but (confession time!) I haven't read the book it's based on. (Oops). I understand that some MAJOR liberties have been taken with the text, and that true Janeites (as Austen devotees are known) are still up in arms about it, eleven years later.
If you've never read Mansfield Park, you'll probably find it as enjoyable as I did. If you have read it, watch this at your own risk, people - and perhaps take it with a pinch of salt...
Like this, but more faithful to the original text: The BBC's Pride and Prejudice.
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Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 20, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick | Permalink
Comments
Yes, Johnny Lee Miller is a total dish! I'm trying to remember if I've seen this. I know I've seen Frances O'Connor in something period but I haven't read Mansfield Park either (gasp!) so can't remember if it was that.....
Posted by: Ms Mac | Apr 20, 2007 11:45:00 AM
Back again. It was Madame Bovary I saw her in.
Posted by: Ms Mac | Apr 20, 2007 11:46:57 AM
This is actually one of my favourite Austen adapations, mainly BECAUSE it takes so many liberties. It's so hard to stay true to the text and live up to everyone's ideals, so this one didn't even bother. Fanny in this film is a million miles from the meek (and dare I say it) infuriatingly saccharine Fanny of the novel, and I think you find yourself warming to her more because she's a bit more feisty and real. The credits say it's based on Mansfield Park and the letters of Jane Austen, so I like to think of Fanny as a combination of the character from the book with a bit of Jane's ambition thrown in to make her a bit more likeable to a modern audience.
Interestingly, did anyone else notice that the ITV version of Mansfield Park ripped this film off more than the book in some parts? The whole slavery sub-plot, for example. I think that says a lot!
Also, James Purefoy is in it, and so is Alessandro Nivola. Even if it was awful I would sit through it countless times to swoon over them.
Posted by: Gemma | Apr 20, 2007 12:15:30 PM
I agree with Gemma, Fanny was more likeable in this film than in the book, and some of the actors in it are rather attractive! I didn't mind the emphasis on slavery, the sex scene or even the hint of lesbianism between Mary and Fanny, but what I did think too much was the notebook Fanny finds with those awful images of Sir Thomas abusing his slaves. Aside from the notebook, I otherwise appreciated the attention on slavery in the film, but IMO the notebook was unnecessary and tasteless.
Posted by: Amy | Apr 20, 2007 12:32:42 PM
anything to give a period drama a 15 certificate, Amy!
Posted by: Gemma | Apr 20, 2007 4:40:34 PM
I haven't seen the film, but when I studied the book at uni they focussed on the slavery aspect more than anything else.
Posted by: Keris | Apr 20, 2007 5:46:21 PM
This is one of my favorite Austen adaptions ( I never manage to decide which one I like more). I tried to read the book once after watching the film, but I hated it, the Fanny in the book were just utterly annoying, I just wanted to slap her and tell her to pull her act together.
I've seen the Billie Piper version too (which is just strange after she joined The Secret Life Of A Call Girl), but I didn't like the characters and thought they made to much emphasize on the large bosoms and not as much on the interesting main character.
Posted by: E..M. | Oct 15, 2008 8:07:42 AM
