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Persuasion : Complete ITV Adaptation [2007]
from 2 Entertain Video
starring Sally Hawkins, Rupert Penry-Jones, Anthony Head, Alice Krige, Tobias Menzies
directed by Adrian Shergold

Features:

• PAL

Editorial Review:

The work of Jane Austen is being confidently mined by filmmakers at the moment, and Persuasion is the latest to be visited. And while there are some fair issues raised about just how faithful the film is to the source material, it’s nonetheless a lavish and enjoyable take on Austen’s story, with much to admire.

Much of the reason as to why this version of Persuasion works well lies with its talented cast. Rupert Penry-Jones, for instance, tackles the role of Captain Wentworth with skill, and Sally Hawkins too gives a performance to be admired. Backed by a primarily good supporting cast, the romantic drama is both watchable and engaging.

Inevitably, parallels are going to be drawn with the similarly strong 1995 television adaptation, and the truth is that some will favour one, some will favour the other. For our money, the earlier version just about nudges it, but the two takes on Persuasion both have enough ideas of their own to make them suitable companion pieces.

Diligently directed and suitably lavish to look at, Persuasion then shows little sign of dampening the enthusiasm for bringing Austen to screens of all sizes. And on the basis of the charming 93 minutes on offer here, that’s no bad thing at all. --Jon Foster

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0

• Persuasion
  This DVD version is absolutely fantastic. I watch it all the time. Both Sally Hawkins and especially Rupert Percy Jones are wonderful in this production. I was caught up with Cpt. Wentworth's cold icy look which gradually turned softer as he realised his feelings for Anne were being revived. I especially loved when they meet in the shop during the rain, when he speaks of how a man cannot overcome such a passion to such a woman, he can barely look at her! The parts were played perfectly and although it... more info

• Neck and neck
  I watched all of ITV's 2007 season of Austen adaptations and this one stood out from the very indifferent others in that season by a long mile, primarily because of the performances from the lead actors. I bought it, watched it again, loved it again and then came here to see what others thought of it only to find that the consensus was generally in favour of the 1995 Ciaran Hinds / Amanda Root version, which I had not seen.
  So, I bought that too and loved that too. To be honest, I can't back a clear... more info

• Keeps getting better!
  I had read the book many years ago and when I heard that there was to be a new Jane Austen series, I re-read it and the others and Persuasion took a very definite first place.
  As to this TV version, first time round I loved it and I have found, on repeat viewing only very recently, that it was even better than I remembered. I thoroughly enjoyed the settings, the music and particularly, the two lead performances which I think were thoroughly convincing. Of the supporting roles, I thought Anthony Head... more info

• Reduces an emotional masterpiece to a common romance.
  This adaptation is not suitable for anyone who appreciates the novel, but it does work as a freestanding romance film. That said, certain elements are faithful to the novel; by far the best of these is Captain Wentworth, who is exactly as the book describes, and is truly the star if the film. Similarly good are Sir Walter, Elizabeth, the Musgroves (all of them) and the Crofts. Mary is humorous, if a little over-done, although her accent was at best strange. Alice Krige is competent, if over energetic and... more info

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