BBC productions of Austen's work

Mich, I recently acquired the BBC productions also and would love to discuss them. I've seen Emma (liked very much) S&S (ok) and P&P (didn't like at all) Would you like to talk about any that we have both seen, or shall we both start fresh with Persuasion (although someone here told me it was awful!) I await further instructions! ;-)

Mich, nice to hear from you. Hope you had a great holiday. Yes, I would love more tapes in the mail. Just say when I should expect them. Should find out from Cheryl which one to send first. This is so much fun. Thanks.

Mich, I've seen all of these adaptations except S&S. I must say that Persuasion was the one I liked the least (and, Cheryl, Emma the best). I caution you against high expectations when you begin your viewing, and would be very interested in hearing your responses after you've seen it.

I managed to videotape Northanger Abbey from A&E very early one mornig about three months ago. This is the production that Sue Birtwhistle describes as "quirky" in her introduction to "The Making of P&P". I enjoy watching it, but must warn you that it IS a bit bizarre, and only really makes sense if you know the book quite well. I really like Robert Hardy as General Tilney, andGoogie Withers as Mrs Allen. Peter Firth does a good job with Henry T. too. If you can stand a less-than -perfect recording, I'll lend it out. E-mail me, O.K.?

Ladies, I would love to discuss them, how fun! Lets start with Pursuasion, maybe we can include both in the virtual viewing we are planning. Noone seem to have liked the BBCs version but maybe it will offer some good conversation topics. Cheryl since you are our designated organizer I'll follow your lead. I won't receive my tapes until this coming week so I won't be able to start until then. Donna, I'll make sure you have tapes before the various viewings. Caroline thanks for your kind offer but I've already done the damage and purchased the tapes. I hope you'll join us in our viewings. Let the fun begin Mich

Great idea! I would love to join your discussion about the BBC adptions since I spent a great part of christmas and new years watching them all (finished the last one, Persuasion, yesterday). Like Myretta I have to causion you against high expectations since some of the adaptions are from the early 70's and of bad quality. I too liked Emma the most and Persuasion the least (migt have something to do with the bad quality of the tape and Anne's awful clothes and hair). I look forward to a discussion and await futher instructions.

Ok ladies, let's go to it! We're doing a virtual view of the Amanda Root Persuasion on Jan. 19. Why don't we start with the old BBC Persuasion the following week on Jan. 26. I've got other Virtual Views planned every other week or so, why don't we squeeze the BBC's in between the others? And then shall we do Emma next after Persuasion, since from all accounts, we will need to see a good one after Pesuasion! ;-) What say you?

Count me in.

Cound me in also. This might just force me to go and buy these tapes. I resisted, since I'd heard they're not up to the same standard as the later productions. Will try to rent them, first, but don't think I can.

My goodness! What perfect timing indeed. I just finished the book two days ago, now definately ready to view and review. I'm in!

sounds great. Will we be posting these on the Calander?

Yeah, I guess Cheryl will still coordinate and then it all goes on the calendar

Mich, I'll put the BBC schedule on the calendar.

Hello all! I'm quite new at the Jane Austen Spring, but wanted to chime in and ask about the "Virtual View." Loved Amanda Root and Ciarran Hinds in the '95 Persuasion and would love to discuss it with all of you! Are any of the other BBC adaptations any good? I keep seeing them in Blockbuster and can't seem to make up my mind ... of course, I need to do a serious re-read of all my Austen. (Began late Nov., after seeing P&P2, with P&P, then Persuasion; now need to re-read the rest: Emma, NA, MP...) Cheers, Claudine

Claudine, the general consensus is that "Emma" is the best of the old BBC adaptations. We would love to have you take part in the Virtual View discussions. Click on the Calendar link on the title page of Spring to see the schedule. There are several of us over in our chat room right now, if you'd care to join us. The link is also on the front page titled "Pemberley Drawing Room" When you get to the site, you need to choose the Pemberley Drawing Room on the last line of the sign in. Come join us, would love to meet you! :-)

Claudine, the general consensus is that "Emma" is the best of the old BBC adaptations. We would love to have you take part in the Virtual View discussions. Click on the Calendar link on the title page of Spring to see the schedule. There are several of us over in our chat room right now, if you'd care to join us. The link is also on the front page titled "Pemberley Drawing Room" When you get to the site, you need to choose the Pemberley Drawing Room on the last line of the sign in. Come join us, would love to meet you! :-)

this is the second time tonight this has posted my message twice! What gives?! :-(

Claudine,I enjoyed the BBC productions of Austen's work very much. They are not equal to the recent adaptation but if you enjoy Austen's work I think you'll appreciate them. Many include portions of each story the more recent adaptations left out. I would caution you against BBC's NH Abbey, I thought it AWFUL. In my humble opinion it was not Jane Austen like at all. I look forward to talking more about these with you during our virtual viewing. Mich

VirtView Notice: BBC Persuasion Discussion on the old BBC version of Persuasion will begin next Sunday, Jan. 26, so be sure to watch the video this week sometime. Should make for some interesting discussions and comparisons with the Amanda Root version we just watched.

VertView Notice: BBC Emma Discussion of the old BBC version of Emma will begin on Sunday, Feb.9, so watch the video sometime this week. The following week the new Emma will be shown on A&E, so this may make for a good preview.