Sense and Sensibility ***** (1995, Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, James Fleet, Tom Wilkinson, Harriet Walter, Alan Rickman, Greg Wise, Gemma Jones, Elizabeth Spriggs, Robert Hardy) – Classic Film Review 440

Director Ang Lee’s 1995 film was another triumph for him, both critically and at the box office, as well as at awards time. It won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture and the Bafta award for Best Film, while Ang Lee won the Golden Bear at Berlin. Star Emma Thompson won the 1996 Oscar for Best Adapted screenplay.

Jane Austen’s brilliantly devised and achieved tale of two impoverished sisters – Elinor and Marianne Dashwood (Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet) – trying to find husbands after suffering at the hands of their arrogant, rich relatives is given its full due in a startlingly handsome production, with magnetic performances. Among its box of delights, it boasts gorgeous cinematography by Michael Coulter, sumptuous costumes designed by Jenny Beavan, a distinguished score by Patrick Doyle and lavish location filming.

Elinor takes a shine to the rich and handsome Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant), but his family disapproves, and Marianne overlooks the worthy and wealthy Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman) in favour of the hunky and dashing John Willoughby (Greg Wise). Star Thompson has provided a marvellous screenplay that won a deserved best adapted screenplay Oscar. There were six other Oscar nominations, including for best picture.

As Bafta-award-winning best actress, Thompson holds centre stage beautifully and Winslet is very striking in her Bafta-award-winning best supporting actress role as the younger sister. They lead the way but everybody is just right in this delightful, faithful interpretation of the Austen classic.

Gemma Jones (Mrs Dashwood), Tom Wilkinson (Mr Dashwood), Elizabeth Spriggs (Mrs Jennings), Robert Hardy (Sir John Middleton), Harriet Walter (Fanny Dashwood), James Fleet (John Dashwood), Emilie François (Margaret Dashwood), Ian Brimble, Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton, Imogen Stubbs, Oliver Ford Davies and Richard Lumsden also shine in what’s a dream cast.

The much loved Brit actor Alan Rickman died of pancreatic cancer on January 14 2016, aged 69. Adieu, dear departed.

A 1981 BBC TV mini-series of Sense and Sensibility stars Irene Richard and Tracey Childs in Jane Austen’s tale of two sisters – Elinor and Marianne Dashwood – trying to find husbands after suffering at the hands of their arrogant, rich relatives.

Directed by Rodney Bennett, it is given a handsome production with lavish location filming in Dorset.

Alexander Barron’s teleplay brings out the qualities of the source novel, but the seven-episode TV serial format slows things down and the acting is not as showy as expected. However, the feisty performances of Richard and Childs are commendable and the 180-minute running time allows it room to spread out and do full justice to Austen’s great novel.

Also in the cast are Diana Fairfax as Mrs. Dashwood, Peter Woodward as John Willoughby, Bosco Hogan as Edward Ferrars, Robert Swann as Colonel Brandon, Annie Leon as Mrs Jennings, Marjorie Bland as Lady Middleton and Donald Douglas as Sir John Middleton.

A perennially popular favourite on TV, there are also the Sense and Sensibility (1971) TV mini-series with Joanna David, Ciaran Madden, Patricia Routledge, Michael Aldridge, Robin Ellis, Sheila Ballantine and Esme Church and the Sense & Sensibility (2008) TV mini-series with Charity Wakefield, Hattie Morahan, Dominic Cooper and David Morrissey.

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Film Review 440 derekwinnert.com