The release of film landing on Netflix in July. The trailer caused quite the stir with fans as some feel it has made Austen’s work a little too much in the similar vein of romantic comedies.
Whether for or against this new inclusion into Austen-adapted works, it’s coming. Thankfully, there is a way to prepare. Throughout the years, many excellent period piece films have blown audiences away. Some are stories written by other famous others like Charlotte Brontë or Thomas Hardy, while others have been very much in the heart of Jane Austen.
Jane Eyre (2011)
Stream on Starz
To no surprise, the lead protagonist of this film is the titular character Jane, and what a powerhouse she is. To those around her, she is plain and unassuming, but underneath she has ion, fire, and intellect. Again, for Austen fans awaiting another adaptation, it’s a good placeholder.
In truth, it’s darker than the average Austen tale in tone, style, and story. There are heavy themes running throughout its entirety. Watching Jane navigate the unfairness of life, and her love Mr. Rochester is heartbreaking and wrought with raw emotions. It’s a more serious choice as compared to Persuasion, but not one to skip.
Far From the Madding Crowd (2015)
Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video & AppleTV+
This is not an Austen adaptation, but it will suffice for fans to get their period drama fix. Far From the Madding Crowd, written by Thomas Hardy, follows Bathsheba Everdeen, a young woman who catches the eyes of not one but three suitors.
Bathsheba is an independent woman who owns her farm. That may sound like a bland and unexciting plot, but the time period must be considered. A woman with her financial means and ability to choose her suitor is both an unusual and exciting prospect. It makes for one confident lady that Austen fans can find easily irable.
Austenland (2013)
Stream on Hulu
Transition into a more fun, and light-hearted option, and watch Austenland. It’s a modern-day setting with the lead, Jane, investing all of her hard-earned money into a vacation at an Austen-inspired resort.
It’s a delightful comedy, with a little love story that takes inspiration from Pride and Prejudice more than other stories. Thankfully, the Persuasion love story is included although it is intentionally quite laughable and over the top. Still, it does an excellent job of reminding the audience why Jane Austen’s works have become so special.
The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
Stream on Starz
The Jane Austen Book Club is another modern-day romp. Rather than focus on one individual, the movie allows the audience to be a fly on the wall for many intriguing characters whose stories poignantly mirror many Austen novels.
Having a Jane Austen story set in the original time period is preferred by many, but this movie does an excellent job of adding contemporary twists while staying true to the source material. The Persuasion storyline is incorporated and Emily Blunt stars alongside Hugh Dancy in one of his best roles.
Northanger Abbey (2007)
Stream on Hoopla & Kanopy
This was the first novel Austen completed in full, but the heroine in this story isn’t like Anne Elliot. This lead protagonist, Catherine Moreland, hasn’t found love and let it go. Instead, she spends most of her time daydreaming and reading the gothic novels always in her hand.
When hopping into Jane Austen movie adaptations, Northanger Abbey is a good place to begin. It’s a coming-of-age journey where fans will love to watch the open and charismatic Mr. Tilney in juxtaposition with the imposing and ghostly abbey in which his family lives.
Mansfield Park (1999)
Stream on Starz
The protagonist of Mansfield Park, Fanny Price, is much more than she seems. On the surface, she is a nice and seemingly shy young woman, brought to Mansfield primarily due to her family’s poverty. However, out of that experience comes an educated and witty individual with an observant mind.
Fanny is a great leader who doesn’t settle for less than what she deserves. Those who enjoy watching the works of Austen will find it has its similarities and differences to Anne Elliot's story. It even involves a broken engagement, but in this case, that’s a good decision.
Sense & Sensibility (1995)
Stream on Hulu & HBO Max
The 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility has remained popular these last few decades. It may be an older choice, but it is a great one to pick for anyone planning an Austen marathon as it stars Kate Winslet and it is easily one of Emma Thompson’s best roles.
The plot follows Thompson and Winslet who play the Dashwood sisters. The eldest is practical and reserved while the other leans toward emotion and the whims of love. Of course, it involves many gentlemen suitors, some far more superior than others. Ultimately, it will leave the audience iring both young women, a feeling sure to be shared about Persuasion's Anne Elliot.
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Stream on HBO Now
In preparation for another Austen adaptation, Pride & Prejudice is a must-see. The love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is a tough one to beat. The two are both so prideful and stubborn as they navigate temperamental and willful relatives, and constant misunderstandings.
While the love story is beautiful and romantic, Elizabeth Bennet is easy enough to fall in love with on her own. She’s intellectual and bright with a clever wit. She’s a woman with her own mind as seen by her marriage refusals and the way she stands up for her family. She's another Austen heroine like Anne Elliot that fans love to watch over and over again.
Emma (2020)
Stream on Feevee
The most recent rendition of Emma showed audiences what they’re in store for with these new creations. Emma Woodhouse is not as likable as Anne Elliot. She’s conceited, snobby, and genuinely believes she knows better than anyone else. Thankfully, she’s taught a lesson or two in humility in the course of the movie.
It’s a great Emma movie adaptation overall, staying true to the source material while still providing it with style and an unexpected quirkiness in Billy Nighy’s portrayal of Mr. Woodhouse, and Emma’s sassy mannerisms. It’s a good example of adding to an original work without taking away its central message.
Persuasion (1995)
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video & YouTube
There’s nothing like preparing for a new film by watching one of its predecessors. Compare and contrast as necessary when the Dakota Johnson version arrives, but this particular adaptation of Persuasion shouldn’t be overlooked.
Persuasion couldn’t be a more apt title for what it is. Anne Elliot, once betrothed to a man she loves, Frederick Wentworth, breaks the engagement at the encouragement of her parents. When Wentworth returns, Anne is torn between her old flame and a new suitor. This is a strict book-to-movie adaptation, but an excellent choice to understand what is to be expected from the story and what will change in of style and tone in the new adaptation.
