"Sense and Sensibility" (1971) TV series

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

9 January 1971 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot Keywords:

Period Drama | Love Triangle | Estate | Romanticism | Singing

Cast

Michael Aldridge	...	Sir John Middleton (4 episodes, 1971)
Sheila Ballantine	...	Lady Middleton (4 episodes, 1971)
Esme Church	...	Mary (4 episodes, 1971)
Joanna David	...	Elinor Dashwood (4 episodes, 1971)
Isabel Dean	...	Mrs. Dashwood (4 episodes, 1971)
Robin Ellis	...	Edward Ferrars (4 episodes, 1971)
Clive Francis	...	John Willoughby (4 episodes, 1971)
Ciaran Madden	...	Marianne Dashwood (4 episodes, 1971)
Richard Owens	...	Colonel Brandon (4 episodes, 1971)
Patricia Routledge	...	Mrs. Jennings (4 episodes, 1971)
Jo Kendall	...	Charlotte Palmer (3 episodes, 1971)
Peter Laird	...	Rodgers (3 episodes, 1971)
David Strong	...	Palmer (3 episodes, 1971)
David Belcher	...	Robert Ferrars (2 episodes, 1971)
Frances Cuka	...	Lucy Steele (2 episodes, 1971)
Mischa De La Motte	...	Master of Ceremonies / ... (2 episodes, 1971)
Kay Gallie	...	Fanny Dashwood (2 episodes, 1971)
Milton Johns	...	John Dashwood (2 episodes, 1971)
Maggie Jones	...	Nancy Steele (2 episodes, 1971)
Clifford Parrish	...	Doctor Harris (2 episodes, 1971)

Runtime:

UK:45 min (4 episodes) | UK:178 min

Country:

UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The floral gown with flounced neckline Ciaran Madden (Marianne Dashwood) wears at Barton Cottage is the same gown Ania Marson (Jane Fairfax) wears in "Emma" (1972).

Movie Connections:

Version of "Sense and Sensibility" (1981)

Soundtrack:

David of the White Rock

Worth watching for historical interest alone

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This adaptation comes with the low budget, stagey sets and frankly scary hair and makeup choices of other TV productions of the era.

It changes the focus of the novel, giving more attention to the Edward/Elinor story, which means that while we get to know and admire Edward, Brandon and Willoughby barely get a look in. Both are rather forgettable, although this version retains more of the conversation with Elinor at Cleveland than any version I've seen to date.

This version omits Margaret Dashwood, and only has brief glimpses of the Palmers, Robert Ferrars and Mrs Ferrars. This version ends with a joint engagement, Eliza is now Col Brandon's 18 year old niece, and Edward is robbed of his big moment, because he's cut off from his fortune by his mother before he can refuse to marry Lucy.

My main complaint with this adaptation is the portrayal of Marianne. I've always found the character unsympathetic, here she's played as if she's permanently hysterical. It is way over the top, and I was relieved when she fell ill, because she finally shut up for a while! There's also no sense that she's learned anything or changed as a result of her experiences either.

Edward and Elinor are excellently portrayed. Joanna David is lovely. Lucy Steele is excellent, too well spoken, but perfectly capturing the malice and spite of the character from the novel. Mrs Jennings is well played too. This portrayal is worth watching just for those performances.