I really enjoy the adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels and having watched Gwyneth Paltrow’s and Kate Beckinsale’s Emmas in the past I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to watch this Emma filmed in 1972 when it presented itself.
I have read opinions from other viewers, that this is the version that most resembles the book. I am sorry to say that although I had planned to read the book before watching it I ended up not doing that and so I can’t really comment on that. What struck me as worse than the other two versions from the beginning was the light – both in indood and outdoor scenes the light seems too white and gives the scenes an artificial look.
It was at first also a bit difficult to get used to both Emma and Mr Knightley as both of them look a lot older than the characters they are portraying. The actress, Doran Godwin,has a certain rigidity that doesn’t favour her nor endears her. I think she never really captures Emma’s spirit, she lacks energy and playfulness and this Emma is not really likeable as she should be. Mr Knightley, John Carson, seems at first also too sober to eventually enchant a young girl, he looks too serious and while I must confess though that he grew on me and by the end I was cheering up for him I never did see any chemistry between those two.
Who I felt was spot on is Harriet Smith, she looks exactly like a sweet and naive girl who doesn’t have a bad bone in her body and is always looking to please. The same with Mr Woodhouse, his slim build is just perfect for the anxious man he is, always worrying about everything. I also really enjoyed Mrs Elton and instead of irritating I ended up finding her really amusing with her outspoken conversation and her superior airs.
In the end I would say this series is recommended to Austen fans but mostly those who so love the books that they want to see every adaptation made. My favourite Emma is still Beckinsale’s!
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I only saw the first episode but I completely I completely agree with your opinion about Emma and Mr. Knightley, Ana T. Godwin is stiff and too serious, not quite the Jane Austen’s Emma and John Carson lacks charisma and appeal… Eventually I’ll get to the other episodes but I really don’t think I’m going to like this adaptation better than the one with Beckinsale (also my favorite Emma!).;-)
Emma isn’t my favourite book by Austen but I loved the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow. I guess I’ll watch this version, as well as Beckinsale’s, if I have the chance.
Ana,
I agree with you about this production. It felt to me like a home-made movie filmed by an amateur. It lacked depth both in the film quality and in the performances. I struggled to get through it and I watched this when I was fairly new to Austen and soaking up all I could get my hands on!
My favourite Emma film is with Gwyneth and Jeremy. The Beckinsale film is great and I’ve taken a renewed interest in the talents of Mark Strong recently but I just did not find Kate that likeable although I think most consider Kate’s version to be the better one.
I like the Gwyneth and Jeremy version of Emma the best: it’s charming, funny, warm, and I particularly like the comfortable friendship between Emma and Mr. Knightly. Kate’s version is all right, but she is somewhat different from what I imagine Emma would be. Although Mark Strong’s Mr. Knightly was good-looking, capable and scrupulous, he was too overbearing and seemed to be always angry and reproaching, which to me lacks the humor and subtle warm friendship shared between Mr. Knightly and Emma as shown in the book and Gwyneth and Jeremy’s version. This 1972 production of Emma has not been attractive to me partly because I knew none of the actors, and although Doran Godwin was only 22 when she played this role, her picture on the cover page did her injustice and made her look much older. In my opinion, any other Jane Austen’s character can look older than we care for, but NOT Emma! Her performance, however, was pretty well. I agree with you ladies that she was rigid, but I can take that as part of the manners required by the time period, and I do appreciate her hidden playfulness, the wits, the confidence, and the bearing of a good-natured spoiled child. Mr. Knightly in this version was gentleman enough, but I guess Jeremy has just become THE MR. KNIGHTLY in my mind so it is hard for anyone to compare with him… :P
Favorite is still Gwyneth Paltrow – I just thought it was exceptionally done. And Jeremy Northam is totally gorgeous in it, too.
I must confess I didn’t like Kate Beckinsdale as Emma; it kept throwing me off to see her in that role, but I did see the Paltrow one first, so maybe that’s why. :)
All these comments made me think that I can’t wait to see the new Emma with Romola Garai and what everyone’s opinions will be. :-)
I did feel Paltrow’s Emma turned out as a bit mean and selfish while Beckinsale’s felt just young and unaware of what harm she was doing. I guess we all see it differently. :-)
I used to watch the old Emma all the time before the 90’s gave us new Austen adaptations. I liked it then, but last time I tried to watch it, it put me to sleep, though I agree that the Harriet of the old BBC Emma is really good. I prefer the Paltrow version because Paltrow does capture the fun and innocence of Emma beautifully. I never liked the Beckinsale Emma–dark, mean-spirited, and a bit dull–though the last time I watched it, I liked it better than the time before.