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Top 10 Movies to Watch if You Love Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Posted about 1 year ago by April S
Jane Austen, born in 1775, helped to define the novel of manners that were popular during the early part of the 19th century in England. She wrote with such vivid detail about middle-class life during her time that it's easy to get lost in her world. Her writing has a way of transporting the reader to another time. And while she may have wrote and published her most famous novel "Pride and Prejudice" over 200 years ago it remains a timeless classic to this day. She was definitely ahead of her time in terms of what she thought about women (i.e., their place in society, ability to make decisions on their own, autonomy and so on).
Typically, people who absolutely love Jane Austen pride themselves on the fact that they have read all of her novels, watched the film adaptations, miniseries and even movies inspired by her works. True fans just can't get enough of all things Austen. And surely those same fans are excited to hear the recent news that a new adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" is in the works. The producers of "Poldark" and "Victoria" are working on a darker adaptation of the beloved classic novel, which may be out as early as 2020.
Popular Pride and Prejudice Adaptations
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Even if Jane Austen fans love watching every film or television adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" that's ever been made over and over again - they're also likely to enjoy similar works (also known as view-alikes). Fans of Jane Austen's works, or period dramas in general, are sure to love the variety of selections in this post. There's just something about these movies that has lasting appeal. Period dramas help transport viewers to another world - one without cellphones, emails and all the other modern conveniences that are amazing and kind of a pain at the same time. So, take a load off, sit on the couch, pop some popcorn and escape into another world.
Top 10 Movies for Pride and Prejudice Fans
1. Austenland Starring Keri Russell, JJ Feild and Jennifer Coolidge Jane Hayes's adoration of all things Jane Austen is complicating her love life. Determined to be the heroine of her own story, Jane spends her life savings on a trip to Austenland, an eccentric Austen-inspired resort, where she meets two very different gentlemen, but has a difficult time determining where fantasy ends and real life, and maybe even love, begins. Based on the novel by Shannon Hale. |
2. Becoming Jane Starring Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy and Julie Walters The young Jane Austen wishes to be a writer. Her mother thinks otherwise. Although she is offered many marriage proposals she accepts none until the mischevious Thomas Lefroy shows up and turns her world around. At first she finds him ignorant and self centered but as she gets to know him, they start to flirt and eventually fall in love. Thomas' relatives disagree with the match and threaten to disinherit him if he marries her. Jane's mother also disagrees with the match. As a result of this, Thomas tries to convince Jane to runaway with him. Instead, Jane stays with her family and ends her affair with Lefroy. She begins to write some of her greatest works of all time. Lefroy becomes the inspiration for Mr. Darcy in the novel, "Pride and Prejudice." |
3. Belle Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Matthew Goode and Emily Watson Although Dido Elizabeth Belle, an 18th century English woman of mixed race, is raised in privilege by her aristocratic great-uncle and his wife, she is denied a proper social standing because of her skin color. But when Dido falls in love with a young idealist lawyer, who aspires to create positive change, she finds herself caught between two worlds. Based on a true story. |
4. Bright Star Starring Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw Nineteenth century poet John Keats and the girl next door, Fanny Brawne, started out as unlikely lovers who were totally at odds with each other. However, when Brawne offers to help Keats nurse his seriously ill brother, the two soon became involved in an unstoppable romance that only his untimely death at age 25 could bring to a shattering end. |
5. Far from the Madding Crowd Starring Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts and Michael Sheen In the Victorian English countryside, a headstrong young woman toys with the affections of three very different men with tragic consequences. Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy. |
6. Jane Eyre Starring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Jamie Bell When orphaned governess Jane Eyre arrives at imposing Thornfield Hall, she's intrigued by her brooding, wealthy employer, Rochester. His dark moods and the strange occurrences in the house lead her to discover a terrible secret that he had hoped to hide from her forever. Based on the classic novel by Charlotte Bronte. |
7. Love and Friendship Starring Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny and Xavier Samuel The beautiful widow Susan Vernon has come to the estate of her in-laws to wait out colorful rumors about her dalliances circulating through polite society. Whilst there, she decides to secure a husband for herself and her rather reluctant debutante daughter, Frederica. Based on Jane Austen's "Lady Susan." |
8. Miss Potter Starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor In an effort to give their younger brother, Norman a project to keep him busy now that he has joined the family publishing house, the older Warne brothers agree to publish Miss Beatrix Potter's first children's book. They don't expect the book to sell well, but they need to keep Norman busy. As a single woman living in Edwardian London, Beatrix suspects this endeavor may provide her with a small measure of freedom. But she also has very specific ideas about how the book should be published. As they work together, Norman and Beatrix become close. |
9. A Room with a View Starring Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter and Denholm Elliott A young, independent-minded, upper-class Edwardian woman is trying to sort out her burgeoning romantic feelings, divided between an enigmatic free spirit she meets on vacation in Florence and the priggish bookworm to whom she becomes engaged back in the more corseted Surrey. Based on the classic novel by E.M. Forster. |
10. I Capture the Castle Starring Romola Garai, Rose Byrne and Bill Nighy In a classic English story, Cassandra Mortmain chronicles in her diary what happens to her eccentric family when a young American man inherits the local estate. The bittersweet love story that ensues is far more complicated than she ever imagines. Based on the novel by Dodie Smith. |
More Movies for Jane Austen Fans
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DID YOU KNOW?
As a Toledo Lucas County Public Library cardholder you have access to resources throughout the state of Ohio, because we participate in library consortiums like Search Ohio and OhioLink. To request these items they must be available in the catalog. Ask a librarian for more information.
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