Classic adaptations that are actually good

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Netflix have stirred up some controversy with their latest period drama, a semi-modernised take on Persuasion, one of Jane Austen’s lesser known works. Some critics have praised its humour and “colour-blind” casting decisions, but others have lambasted the film for its total failure to capture any of what makes Austen’s last novel an enduring classic – its wistful atmosphere of regret and longing, and themes of self-sacrifice, humility, and quiet, enduring love. However, despite the fuss, I have no intention of watching the film myself, mostly because the perfect Persuasion adaptation already exists! So instead of picking the new version to pieces, I want to recommend that older, underrated gem – and a few other classic adaptations that are actually worth the watch.

Persuasion (1995)

Starring the little-known Amanda Root as the heroine and Ciarán Hinds as her former fiancé, this made-for-TV movie is a masterpiece of subtle understatement. The story focuses on Anne Elliot, a woman who gave up the love of her life, Captain Wentworth out of prudence and loyal obedience to her family and friends. When circumstances draw the couple back into contact, she struggles to bear the sting of her lingering, apparently unrequited attachment. The film is much like Anne herself: quiet, gentle and lightly humorous, but close attention reveals an undercurrent of deep feeling. Unlike the current trend for bright, artificial quirkiness in period dramas, Persuasion instils a sense of realism and naturalness – you feel as though you’re immersed in the heartache and hopes of Anne’s inner world – while still managing to convey Jane Austen’s sharp sense of humour. Recommended for wet autumn evenings when your spirits need lifting.

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Probably Austen’s most celebrated work, Pride and Prejudice tells a story of clashing personalities, between an honest man who takes social standing far too seriously and an intelligent woman who’s a little too quick to judge. Darcy and Elisabeth’s journey from mistaken first impressions to mutual understanding and love has gone through oodles of adaptations, from black and white movies to vlog-style web series, and the debate as to the best version will probably rage on ‘til the end of time. But in my mind, the six-part BBC mini-series from 1995 has no competitors when it comes to capturing the energy, drama and romance of Austen’s tightly woven narrative. While it tends to be remembered for “heart-throb” moments like Colin Firth’s wet shirt, my favourite part of P&P is its comic side –  the show sparkles with ridiculous characters and witty dialogue. At the same time, the moral message remains refreshingly uncompromising, and the serial ends on a moving meditation on the marriage that would fit in well at a prenuptial preparation course. Recommended for lovers of romance and human absurdity.

Emma (1996)

Not to be confused with the Gwyneth Paltrow adaptation that was released in the same year, this TV film is another entry from British television’s golden age of Austen adaptations. Kate Beckinsale does a marvellous job at bringing one of Jane Austen’s trickiest heroines to life – and actually making her likeable! The eponymous Emma is a wealthy young woman who tries to meddle in the love lives of those around her, with disastrous effects. Like most proud characters in Austen’s works, she gets her comeuppance, but in her case, it makes her a much humbler and more likeable person. The second-hand embarrassment caused by Emma’s scheming gets a little excruciating at times, but the excellent casting carries the day; aside from Beckinsale, Mark Strong puts in a great performance as Mr. Knightley, a somewhat atypical love interest. Ultimately, it’s a wonderful coming-of-age story that blends Austen’s usual romance and comedy with a deeper reflection on the transformative power of humility. Recommended for anyone who’s ever put their foot in it.

Northanger Abbey (2007)

Yes, it’s yet another TV movie, but in my defence, there are very few other adaptations to choose from for this lesser-known book. Northanger Abbey is a light little tale, but that doesn’t stop it from being very funny and Felicity Jones (who has since made it big in Star Wars) is a delight as the impressionable and imaginative Catherine Moreland. Catherine is young, naive and obsessed with slightly lurid novels – so much so that when she visits her wealthy friend, Eleanor Tilney, at her gothic mansion and meets her domineering father, her imagination starts to run away with her, endangering her burgeoning romance with Eleanor’s brother Henry. Recommended for a light-hearted girls’ night-in.

And for anyone out there who could never get into Jane Austen, never fear! There are plenty of other options:

Little Dorrit (2008)

Set in the grimy world of Victorian London, the BBC’s 14-episode adaptation of this Dickens novel follows the struggles of Amy “Little” Dorrit to free herself and her family from the physical and moral impoverishment of their surroundings: a debtors’ prison where her father is incarcerated. Typically for Dickens, the story is a rich tapestry of comic, eccentric personalities and unforgettably strange settings, with a plot that twists and turns with a gleeful disregard for realism. While this version does suffer from some rather clumsy attempts to rework certain characters to suit modern consciences, at the end of the day, it’s an uplifting tale where the poor and the downtrodden triumph through their purity of heart. Recommended for enlivening long, dark winter nights.

Brideshead Revisited (1981)

There’s a reason that this ‘80s TV serial consistently crops up in lists of the best TV shows of all time: it’s nostalgic, funny, visually gorgeous and paradoxically, heartbreakingly joyful. The story centres on Charles Ryder, a middle-class Oxford student whose life and destiny becomes entangled with that of the Flytes, a wealthy, aristocratic and – this is the kicker – Catholic family. It’s hard to go on without spoiling the plot, but I will settle for mentioning that Evelyn Waugh, the author of the novel the show is based on, was himself a Catholic convert who knew very well the agony and the ecstasy of coming to the faith – and that is ultimately what Brideshead is about. Recommended for jaded romantics.