Official Synopsis:
From acclaimed writer Andrew Davies (Pride And Prejudice) comes this enchanting new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel! Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve when she falls in love with the charming but unsuitable John Willoughby, ignoring her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behavior leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Elinor, sensitive to social convention, struggles to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Will the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love?
  
Our Take:
Before there were tabloids allowing us to pry into the private trivial matters of the rich and famous, there was Jane Austen.  Just like tabloids today, Austen has a fervent fan base, I’m just not a part of it.  Austen’s works and the films based on them tend to blend together in my mind.  The basics always seem to be the same: some girl likes some guy who may or may not be attached to some other girl, but then we throw in some sort of disapproving high society member (or disapproving society itself) for good measure.  Oh, and let’s not forget the obligatory distraught Englishwoman running in an empty meadow in the rain.

Therefore, while Andrew Davies’ adaptation of Sense & Sensibility for BBC, which was shown as a three episode (1 hour per episode) mini-series, is well acted with wonderful production design, there is no immediacy to the work.  This is simply Jane Austen on the screen.  There is nothing showy going on with the camera, no peering behind the work to search out a loftier goal.  We get exactly what we expect.  Simply put, if you like Jane Austen or this novel in particular, you will enjoy this mini-series.  In fact, I can picture it playing in a high school English class right now.

This release is a nicely packaged two-disc affair.   The first disc contains the three-episode mini-series and the second disc contains a new BBC biopic based on the letters of Jane Austen.  The list of what is included on each disc is as follows:

Disc 1

* Audio Commentary.

* Interview Featurette (30 minutes) – A comprehensive interview with Screenwriter Andrew Davies and Producer Anne Pivcevic.

* Picture Gallery.

Disc 2

* Miss Austen Regrets (1 hour and 25 minutes) – A feature length Jane Austen biopic; Austen fans shall be pleased.

* Remembering Jane Austen (1 hour and 9 minutes) – A four-part radio play.

Sense & Sensibility is an excellent 2-Disc set put out by BBC Video that is simply a must-have for Austen fans. Film fans, without such fervor for Jane Austen, may want to either rent or pass.

Overall Picture:
Movie: B-
DVD: A

- Matthew Orlando
Staff Writer