Dearest Friends, Family, and Passersby,
(I'm convinced Jane Austen, herself, would begin her letter in such a way.)
This February, the Hallmark Channel is planning to enchant viewers with their Loveuary movie event that focuses on the charm of Jane Austen's beloved romance novels.
Like many readers, I have a warm affection for Jane Austen's novels. Sure, the film adaptations focus on the romantic side and some frivolity, but I believe Austen's books are far deeper than that. As the daughter of clergyman, Jane Austen's words reflected her faith and her characters highlighted the good and bad qualities of those who either lived according to or strayed away from the church's teachings.
It never ceases to amaze me how Jane Austen's lively and clever words still continue to reach generation after generation of readers (and movie watchers, too) with her wit, wisdom, and introspection into human nature.
Whether you consider yourself to be a Janeite (a true Jane Austen fan... *I can't help but imagine devoted followers waving Victorian-style fans here*) or simply an admirer from afar, I wanted to share with you all various versions of Jane Austen's original books, along with dramatized film adaptations and TV movies throughout the years that are loosely based on Austen's novels... and more!
Jane Austen Books:
The first Jane Austen book I ever read was Emma, and to this day, it is still my absolute favorite of all Jane Austen's works. (I must admit, Pride and Prejudice is a very close second!)
Meddlesome Emma Woodhouse thinks she is clever in love the way she plays matchmaker to everyone around her, until she gets caught up in her own schemes! Oh, how delightful it is to read about Emma's errors and entanglements. She's a bit of a busybody, at times, which she, herself, detests, and Emma seems to lack some diligence in completing her own simple tasks. It's refreshing to see even our heroine in this story has some character flaws that make her all the more authentic and loved by readers.
While Emma remains my favorite of Jane Austen's books, I have also enjoyed many of the other Austen novels featured below.
May these books from classic literature touch your heart as they have mine, and may we all discover the deeper message Austen conveys through her works, which is the timeless lesson on morality, Christian virtues, diligence, purpose, prejudices, and, most importantly, godly character.
Click on your selection below...
1. Greatest Works of Jane Austen (Set of 5 Books Paperback Box set)
2. Emma by Jane Austen (Paperback)
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Paperback)
4. Emma by Jane Austen (Puffin in Bloom, Hardcover)
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Puffin in Bloom, Hardcover)
6. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (Puffin in Bloom, Hardcover)
7. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (Paperback)
8. Persuasion by Jane Austen (Paperback)
9. The Jane Austen Novel Collection (Deluxe 6-Book Hardcover Boxed Set)
*You can also find at Amazon - Jane Austen audiobooks and Jane Austen books on kindle.
Jane Austen Movies:
The next best thing to reading a Jane Austen novel, is watching one of the many film adaptations. I've noticed how closely these films mirror Jane Austen's novels. No need for editing, I suppose, when the original is near perfection.
I've tried to choose a favorite among them, but I have four that I dearly enjoy watching, including both the Gwyneth Paltrow and Romola Garai versions of Emma and the Pride and Prejudice films with Jennifer Ehle & Colin Firth and Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. If you're a fan of Jane Austen, these four films are a must-see, as well as Sense & Sensibility starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet.
*Please note: Depending on what version you watch, some of these ladies do wear low-cut dresses, and immorality may be briefly shown or discussed; however, it is done in such a way that the viewer is made aware that such behavior is looked down upon in the society of this time period.
Click on your selection below...
1. Pride and Prejudice DVD - starring Jennifer Ehle & Colin Firth
2. Emma DVD - starring Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller
3. Emma DVD - starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam
4. Pride & Prejudice - starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen
5. Sense & Sensibility DVD - starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, and Hugh Grant
6. Sense and Sensibility DVD - starring Hattie Morahan, Charity Wakefield, and Dan Stevens
7. Northanger Abbey DVD - starring Felicity Jones and J.J. Feild
8. Mansfield Park DVD (PG-13) - starring Frances O'Connor and Jonny Lee Miller
9. Persuasion DVD - starring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones
Jane Austen-inspired TV Movies:
Before the Hallmark Channel premieres four new Jane Austen-inspired Loveuary films this February, let's take a look back at five previous Jane Austen-themed movies from the network.
Plus, in addition to the Hallmark Channel, both UPtv and Great American Family have premiered Jane Austen-style movies of their own, which goes to show you how important these literary classics remain in filmmaking today.
Of all the Jane Austen-inspired TV movies listed below, my personal favorites are Unleashing Mr. Darcy, starring Cindy Busby and Ryan Paevey, and Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe, starring Lacey Chabert and Brendan Penny. These movies are, of course, loosely based on Jane Austen's stories, with a modern twist on her regency-era romances.
Click on your selection below...
1. Hallmark Double Feature: Unleashing Mr. Darcy & Marrying Mr. Darcy DVD - starring Cindy Busby and Ryan Paevey
(Unleashing Mr. Darcy - available on Amazon Prime)
(Marrying Mr. Darcy - available on Amazon Prime)
2. Christmas at Pemberley Manor DVD - starring Jessica Lowndes and Michael Rady
(also available on Amazon Prime)
3. Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe DVD - starring Lacey Chabert and Brendan Penny
(also available on Amazon Prime)
4. Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen DVD - starring Erin Krakow and Luke Macfarlane
(also available on Amazon Prime)
5. Pride and Prejudice, Cut - available on Amazon Prime (currently free with ads)
6. Lights, Camera, Romance (Happily Ever Emma) - available on Amazon Prime (currently free with ads)
For those of you who especially love Jane Austen's books and movies, like I do, here are some devotionals, notebooks, games, and more!
These also make great gifts for any Jane Austen fan...
Click on your selection below...
1. Jane Austen Coffee Spoon Engraved Stainless Steel - "How Ardently I Admire and Love You"
2. Jane Austen Coffee Mug - Austen's Most Famous Quotes and Depictions, Comes in a Fun Gift Box
3. Pride and Prejudice Coloring Book
4. Jane Austen's Table: Recipes Inspired by the Works of Jane Austen
5. The World of Jane Austen 1000 Piece Puzzle by Laurence King
6. Jane Austen Pride and Peppermints Breath Mints
7. Marrying Mr. Darcy Board Game
8. Jane Austen Novels Glass Christmas Ornament
9. Jane Austen Blanket - Made of 100% fluffy and rich flannel
10. Praying with Jane: 31 Days through the Prayers of Jane Austen
11. Jane Austen Gifts - Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler with Lid and Straw
12. The Jane Austen Escape Room Book
13. A Jane Austen Devotional (Devotional Classics Series)
14. Jane Austen Composition Notebook/Journal with 200 pages for you to fill
Hopefully, the four new Jane Austen-inspired movies the Hallmark Channel is premiering this February will honor the author's work in a classy, elegant way. I'm also most intrigued by the stunning costumes from that era - seen in each film.
Premiere Date: February 3, 2024
Starring Mallory Jansen and Will Kemp
Premiere Date: February 10, 2024
Starring: Ali Sweeney and Ben Ayres
Premiere Date: February 17, 2024
Starring: Eliza Bennett, Nicholas Bishop, and Nell Barlow
Premiere Date: February 24, 2024
Starring: Deborah Ayorinde and Dan Jeannotte
Click here for story details and images for each film.
Your friend...
Sincerely,
Net✍️
Not sure if I actually have read any of her books. But I have seen the BBC versions of her books and loved them. And yes, I've also loved Hallmark's Austin inspired movies in the past. :) -Maria
ReplyDeleteMaria, Good to hear you've enjoyed some of the Jane Austen movies! There are certainly many options out there.
DeleteI hope the new Hallmark movies coming up will also give a nice tribute to Jane.
Blessings, Net
I'm a Janeite! I'm published in an award-winning JAFF anthology. I have a lovely Jane Austen collection. I'm so excited for these movies.
ReplyDeleteAnother fun movie from years back is Scents and Sensibility. I think it originally aired on Lifetime when they carried more romance and rom-coms.
Also, Denise... that's so wonderful your Jane Austen Fan Fiction is published. Can we find your book at Amazon or elsewhere???
DeleteIt's on Amazon. It's a short story in an anthology, Then Comes Winter.
DeleteThis series of movies should at least be interesting.
ReplyDeleteI must say in many cases with previous movies described as being based on Jane Austen novels I have struggled to really find the parallels.
My two favourite Austen presentations are the Keira Knightly P&P and Rupert Penry-Jones' Persuasion.
I getting through the 2023 Christmas movies quite well but at the minute my top 10 list is really weird - totally different from anything I might have expected - Florence
Florence, I love that Rupert Penry-Jones version of Persuasion, too! He is so handsome and debonair in that film, the ideal choice for Captain Wentworth.
DeleteLooking forward to hearing your top ten 2023 Christmas movie list! I'm quite intrigued! :)
Blessings, Net
Yes! I just watched Persuasion and was excited to see Rupert Penry-Jones. One of my favorite Christmas movies is a Crown for Christmas!
DeleteNet, have you (or has anybody) seen Emma starring Anya Taylor-Joy? I haven't, but I loved her in The Queen's Gambit, so I'm thinking maybe I should take a look?
ReplyDeleteMark, I was really interested in this new Emma movie when it first came out, but then I read some reviews that said it was a more sexualized version with nudity - so, based on that, I decided to skip it. Wish they could've kept it wholesome, but it seems they have to try and ruin everything these days. I have a feeling Jane Austen would be thoroughly mortified if she knew. From what I've read, it was completely unnecessary to include it. ~Net
DeleteNet, I agree with you 100%! There are so many movies that could be for the whole family, but the producers feel they have to throw in sex, language, etc. to appeal to the modern crowd. And I am not convinced that it is necessary to have these things in movies to draw more of an audience. Would fewer people have seen Emma if it didn't have the nudity that you mention? Probably just the opposite!
DeleteHaha, it's funny that you posted this. These are the films I've been watching.....so far! I practically have them all! I am the biggest BBC watcher of the Regency era.
ReplyDeleteEmma with Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller
Pride and Prejudice... Colin Firth
Under the Greenwood Tree
Abigail, Happy watching! After I've watched many of these movies in succession, I find that I feel more intellectual in my speaking. It is fascinating, isn't it (?), how people spoke so elegantly in the past.
DeleteI also remember the movie, Under the Greenwood Tree, but it's been a few years since I've seen it.
Blessings, Net
So excited about the upcoming Jane Austen movies on Hallmark!! The Ehle/Firth version of Pride & Prejudice is the only Austen adaptation I truly love, but I still really enjoy seeing creative adaptations of the books! Still, nothing can beat the books themselves. My favorite way to enjoy them is the free Elizabeth Klett audiobooks on LibriVox. No one can beat Jane Austen when it comes to romance novels! :)
ReplyDeleteThis post is stunning, Net! It makes me want to get out my copies of Emma and P&P and read them all over again. At least I might have time to rewatch the Keira Knightly version before the movie tonight.
ReplyDeleteI have BBC’s P&P Jennifer Ehle & Colin Firth, P&P Keira Knightley & Matthew Macfadyen, P&P (1940) with Laurence Olivier, & Greer Garson. I also have Paltrow’s Emma, and Emma Thompson’s Sense & Sensibility.
ReplyDeleteI have on DVD Christmas at Pemberley Manor; Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe; Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen. I have seen Pride and Prejudice, Cut, Lexi Giovagnoli, David Witts. To me it was not family friendly. I have to admit that Witts so much like Laurence Olivier (it’s eerie really), so if someone does a biopic of Laurence Olivier, David Witts would be great. He’s already British!
My sister likes all of them. I’ve seen Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park DVD, Persuasion (1995) with Amanda Root, Ciarán Hinds.
--Namegirl
We watched Paging Mr Darcy and enjoyed it. The movie was family friendly and the acting and story was nice. I love Jane Austen books and movies. The movie Emma is a beautiful movie. We also have enjoyed Persuasion, Sense and Sensibilities and Pride and Prejudice.
ReplyDeleteWe loved it too! I plan on recording all four movies.
Delete