Sense and Sensibility (1981– )

Two sisters of opposing temperaments find love and some heartbreak in Jane Austen's 18th century classic.

Stars:

Irene Richard, Tracey Childs, Annie Leon

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Irene Richard	...	Elinor Dashwood (7 episodes, 1981)
Tracey Childs	...	Marianne Dashwood (7 episodes, 1981)
Annie Leon	...	Mrs. Jennings (7 episodes, 1981)
Robert Swann	...	Colonel Brandon (6 episodes, 1981)
Donald Douglas	...	Sir John Middleton (5 episodes, 1981)
Marjorie Bland	...	Lady Middleton (5 episodes, 1981)
Bosco Hogan	...	Edward Ferrars (5 episodes, 1981)
Peter Woodward	...	John Willoughby (4 episodes, 1981)
John Owens	...	Tom (4 episodes, 1981)
Gina Rowe	...	Susan (4 episodes, 1981)
Diana Fairfax	...	Mrs. Dashwood (4 episodes, 1981)
Peter Gale	...	John Dashwood (3 episodes, 1981)

Storyline

The Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, must search for a new house with their mother; their former home and the majority of the money having been inherited by their half-brother at the passing of their father. The family is given the lease of a cottage by a kind cousin. Disciplined and restrained Elinor forms an attachment to quiet Edward Ferrars, while her impetuous and emotional sister Marianne falls for dashing John Willoughby. However, the Dashwoods' lack of fortune and the strict social structure of 18th century England affects the marriage prospects of both sisters.

---

Plot Keywords:

jane austen | love | cottage | heartbreak | half brother | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 February 1981 (UK)

Also Known As:

Fornuft og følelse

Filming Locations:

Babington House, Babington, Somerset, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

174 min 30 min (7 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Fanny Dashwood: Edward, don't stand there like a dummy.

---

Connections

Version of American Playhouse: Sensibility and Sense (1990)

---

Soundtracks

"Piano Sonatina in G Major: II. Rondo - Allegro"
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

User Reviews

Good Version

The advantage this television version has over the later 1995 film version directed by Ang Lee is that due to its length it allows more important scenes to be shown. This good BBC version keeps in the visit of Edward Ferrers to Barton Cottage and of Willoughby to see Marianne when she is ill. It also deletes the third sister Margaret, which I think is to the good.

It is important when doing Jane Austen not to over act, as suppression makes for tension, and in this the actors do a fine job. The scenes between Elinor Dashwood and Lucy Steele are excellent, seething and polite at the same time. Julia Chambers as Lucy Steele is excellent and equally as good as Imogen Stubbs in the 1995 film.

The male actors are not all bland, Donald Douglas gives a jolly performance and Peter Gale is perfectly unctuous as John Dashwood, but also sympathetic, caught as he is between a domineering wife and mother in law. Bosco Hogan and Robert Swann are a bit dull however.

This is not a sumptuous Hollywood version but fine on its own terms.