Persuasion 1995 Movie Review
I've seen the 1995 Masterpiece Theater version of Persuasion several times. I don't consider it the best Persuasion version out there, so this review compares it to the other two Persuasions to show how it differs. It does have spoilers, if you haven't read the book yet.First, in the beginning when the family is talking about their options to handle their debt, both Elizabeth and Lady Russell immediately remember Anne's relationship with the "sailor". Her father remembers it too. Lady Russell is supposed to know about it, but the others are supposed to have long since forgotten it.
When Mary's son is hurt, the movie has Charles being blase about the injury and wanting to run off, and Mary is actually upset that Charles could leave his son behind. Anne in essence prods Mary to go along too. In the book Charles is more caring - while Mary is less caring.
I *really* like that when Wentworth first shows up to see Anne, she is clutching the chair with her strong emotions while showing none on her face. I think that was a very powerful moment, well done.
They add in a scene of Henrietta's beloved showing up at a dance and being jealous of her being with Wentworth. Not in the book, but I do think it adds more background to Henrietta's impending marriage and the issue Wentworth casues.
When they're heading off to Lyme, usually it's Mary that insists Anne go to care for her. This time Mary doesn't want to go but Anne is lured along by the girls. This didn't make much sense to me - they change the story to go against Mary's nature. If Mary didn't want to go, she would have kicked up a huge fuss! :)
The initial Elliot meeting is *very* brief, not nearly as well done as in the 2008 version. Bennick is very encouraging to Anne, pretty much courting her. I like that. Also the falling scene is MUCH saner than the earlier BBC version which was simply inane. So a few points here.
On the down side. when Wentworth is escorting Anne and Henrietta back home, he never has the "should I tell them alone" scene which is very powerful. Instead, the scene is just of Wentworth recriminating himself for letting the accident happen - and deciding that Louisa's impetuousness was a bad thing.
Mrs. Clay is, properly, plain in this version. She was just far too pretty in the 2008 version. She is supposed to be a quiet plain friend of the family. On the other hand, Elizabeth is turned into a nasty shrew. In the book she's supposed to be relatively smart but wrapped up in her luxury lifestyle just like her father.
There's a big "meeting of the dowager" scene that's new, it doesn't seem to add much so I'm not sure what they meant to do here. They also make the "Mrs. Smith is a meaningless widow" scene *much* more pointed, with the father very obviously being taken down a rung.
When Anne is talking with Wentworth initially in Bath and Elliot shows up, she doesn't introduce him, doesn't tell him about the music or anything. She is VERY passive. The opera talk is much more meaningful with Wentworth in essence revealing that he does still care - but then when she tries to be plain and ask him to stay, he leaves. So that becomes less than believable too.
Lady Russel puts on heavy pressure for Anne to accept Elliot, which is against the book's meaning. Then, one of my most large objections - Wentworth comes to offer to give up the house, and she doesn't even get to say anything at all before Lady Russel comes up and drives her away. Then Wentworth lays into Russell about her part in all of the past. It seemed a very poor letdown from the scene.
Anne goes to Mrs. Smith and she learns that Elliot is out of money?? And that they only just learnt it which is why they're just telling her now?? Another bad change.
Then the ultimate of evils. Anne realizes Wentworth does love her. She runs after him, they embrace ... and they kiss to carnival music?? It completely destroys the mood of the scene of them waiting numerous years to finally kiss.
Finally at the dinner party, Eliot still thinks they are about to be engaged and she doesn't bother to tell him no. Then Wentworth strides in and says "OK everybody I am going to marry Anne" and she just smiles. They sail off into the distance.
I do like a few things in this version. I like for example the Wentworth-Meeting-Anne scene, I think that was very well done. But numerous other parts of this version are NOT done very well at all. It almost becomes a tale about Wentworth and his striding to do things his way, more than a story about Anne. She is supposed to be strong and taking a stand now that she has a second chance. But in the movie, she is just as passive and doesn't even say anything at the end, she just waits for Wentworth to come in and take her away.
Certainly watch this if you're a Persuasion fan and want to see all the versions, but watch one of the others first.
Starring: Amanda Root, Ciarán Hinds
Persuasion Main Review Page
Top Selling Books of All Time