Persuasion (1995)

Eight years earlier, Anne Elliot, the daughter of a financially troubled aristocratic family, was persuaded to break off her engagement to Frederick Wentworth, a young seaman, who, though ... See full summary »

Director:

Roger Michell

Writers:

Jane Austen (novel), Nick Dear (screenplay)

Stars:

Amanda Root, Ciarán Hinds, Susan Fleetwood

7 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Amanda Root	...	Anne Elliot
Ciarán Hinds	...	Captain Frederick Wentworth
Susan Fleetwood	...	Lady Russell
Corin Redgrave	...	Sir Walter Elliot
Fiona Shaw	...	Mrs. Croft
John Woodvine	...	Admiral Croft
Phoebe Nicholls	...	Elizabeth Elliot
Samuel West	...	Mr. Elliot
Sophie Thompson	...	Mary Musgrove
Judy Cornwell	...	Mrs. Musgrove
Simon Russell Beale	...	Charles Musgrove
Felicity Dean	...	Mrs. Clay
Roger Hammond	...	Mr. Musgrove
Emma Roberts	...	Louisa Musgrove
Victoria Hamilton	...	Henrietta Musgrove

Storyline

Eight years earlier, Anne Elliot, the daughter of a financially troubled aristocratic family, was persuaded to break off her engagement to Frederick Wentworth, a young seaman, who, though promising, had poor family connections. When her father rents out the family estate to Admiral Croft, Anne is thrown into company with Frederick, because his sister is Mrs. Croft. Frederick is now a rich and successful Captain, and a highly eligible bachelor. Whom will he marry? One of Anne's sister's husband's sisters? Or will he and Anne rekindle the old flame?

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Plot Keywords:

captain | admiral | old flame | napoleonic wars | england | 

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Genres:

Romance | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics

Country:

UK USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ahava Kmussa

Filming Locations:

Sydney Place, Bath, Somerset, England, UK

Box Office

Gross:

$5,462,325 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Millésime Productions, WGBH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The orange long-sleeved gown with accordion-pleat trim on the over-sleeves worn by Lady Willoughby when she meets Lady Russell in the Pump Room is the same costume worn by an extra in the Pump Room when Anne talks with Mr. Elliot in Persuasion. The same costume is also worn by the dance teacher during the fan-language lesson in The Regency House Party, and by an extra in the square at the end of Goya's Ghosts.

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Goofs

While clearing out her things at Kellynch near the beginning of the film, Anne finds a paper boat tucked inside a navy list. If you look closely, you can see that the words written on it come from the letter Captain Wentworth writes to her at the end of the film. It says: "You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again..."

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Quotes

Anne: Oh, why is the whole town suffering from this dreadful misapprehension that I shall marry him!

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Connections

Version of Persuasion (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Nocturne in B"
Composed by Frédéric Chopin (as Chopin)
Performed by Susan Tomes

User Reviews

Wonderful!

I loved this film by Roger Michell. Adaptations of great literary classics are fraught with dangerous shoals which have all been blithely avoided in this superb adaption of Jane Austen's masterpiece about love.

There isn't a false move in the entire enterprise. The casting is perfect and the performances flawless.

Special kudos to Amanda Root's brilliant, subtle performance as the heroine Anne Elliot. Ciaran Hinds, as Captain Wentworth, is virile, handsome and highly attractive as the lonely sea-farer come to land after years of fighting in the Napolianic wars.

Not only is this a ripping love story it is imbued with great humor and pathos as well.

There is nothing "high-fallutin'" about it either. Not for one instant does the nasty face of preciosity enter in. The film speaks TO the viewer not at him from a high place.

There are some brilliant vignettes, notably in the person of Cinnamon Faye as the honorable Miss Carteret. She doesn't have a single word to utter but in her facial mannerisms conveys a hilarious portrayal of the empty-headed daughter of the nasty Viscountess Dalrymple. Only in the very last scene does Ms Faye utter and that is simply to emit the silliest sneeze I've ever heard. One of the brilliant and rare moments of exquisite comedy to be seen in a film.

Other standouts in the cast are John Woodvine and Fiona Shaw as the Admiral and his devoted wife. Sophie Thompson turns in a wonderful performance as the ever-whining, obnoxious younger sister, Mary, who, along with the elder Elliot daughter, Elizabeth, burden the long-suffering Anne with their uselessness. Phoebe Nicholls, of Brideshead Revisted fame (she was Sebastian Flyte's youngest sister Cordelia) contributes yet another wonderful performance in her career, as the ill-tempered Elizabeth, ultimately conveying the tragedy of the burgeoning spinster in the last scene.

Even if great literary classics aren't your "bag" don't miss this minor masterpiece if you happen to love great film-making.