Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Rich Mr. Dashwood dies, leaving his second wife and her three daughters poor by the rules of inheritance. The two eldest daughters are the titular opposites.

Director:

Ang Lee

Writers:

Jane Austen (novel), Emma Thompson (screenplay)

Stars:

Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, James Fleet

Won 1 Oscar. Another 32 wins & 47 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Fleet	...	John Dashwood
Tom Wilkinson	...	Mr. Dashwood
Harriet Walter	...	Fanny Dashwood
Kate Winslet	...	Marianne Dashwood
Emma Thompson	...	Elinor Dashwood
Gemma Jones	...	Mrs. Dashwood
Hugh Grant	...	Edward Ferrars
Emilie François	...	Margaret Dashwood
Elizabeth Spriggs	...	Mrs. Jennings
Robert Hardy	...	Sir John Middleton
Ian Brimble	...	Thomas
Isabelle Amyes	...	Betsy
Alan Rickman	...	Colonel Brandon
Greg Wise	...	John Willoughby
Alexander John	...	Curate

Storyline

When Mr. Dashwood dies, he must leave the bulk of his estate to the son by his first marriage, which leaves his second wife and their three daughters (Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret) in straitened circumstances. They are taken in by a kindly cousin, but their lack of fortune affects the marriageability of both practical Elinor and romantic Marianne. When Elinor forms an attachment for the wealthy Edward Ferrars, his family disapproves and separates them. And though Mrs. Jennings tries to match the worthy (and rich) Colonel Brandon to her, Marianne finds the dashing and fiery John Willoughby more to her taste. Both relationships are sorely tried.

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Plot Keywords:

england | 19th century | based on novel | black hair | visit | 

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Taglines:

Lose your heart and come to your senses.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

26 January 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sense and Sensibility

Filming Locations:

Wonwell Beach, Erme Mouth, Devon, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$721,341, 17 December 1995

Gross USA:

$43,182,776

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$134,582,776

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Mirage Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS (8 channels) Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hugh Grant was always first choice to play Edward Ferrars. The actor agreed to reduce his normal salary in order to help with the film's budget.

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Goofs

The film is set around 1810 (the original novel was published in 1811). There are a pack of dogs, one of them a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, near a gate. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers were developed in the early 19th century to lure waterfowl. The purebreds originated in Nova Scotia, Canada. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was not introduced to the UK until the 1980s, and was not fully developed as a breed anywhere in 1810. This dog is not a golden retriever, as can be evidenced by the smaller stature, the orange/red fur and the white markings on the chest and nose.

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Quotes

Colonel Brandon: Miss Dashwood, Miss Marianne - I come to issue an invitation. A picnic on my estate at Delaford if you would care to join us on Thursday next. Mrs. Jennings daughter and her husband are traveling up especially.
Elinor Dashwood: We should be delighted, Colonel.
Colonel Brandon: I will of course be including Mr. Willoughby in the party.
Marianne: I shall be delighted to join you, Colonel.

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Connections

Version of Sense and Sensibility (1981)

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Soundtracks

The Dreame
Music by Patrick Doyle
text by Ben Jonson
End title performance by Jane Eaglen
Courtesy of SONY CLASSICAL

User Reviews

A classic for all time.

Whoever says they just don't make the quality of pictures today that they used to hasn't seen or is ignoring this film.

That Emma Thompson is one of the greatest actresses working is no secret. But who would have expected such a miracle from her in the screenwriting department? Some of the most dramatic moments in 'Sense and Sensibility' come from her pen, not Jane Austen's, difficult as that may be to believe. For instance, the scene in which Col. Brandon (Alan Rickman) carries in the ill Marianne Dashwood (Kate Winslet), echoing the earlier scene where Willoughby (Greg Wise) brought the injured young woman home was Thompson's doing. Marianne's illness also is responsible for much more drama in the movie than in the book. And I'm an Austen fan! I can't recall another writer bringing so much good of his or her own to a classic like this.

I suppose the director, cinematographer, production designer, etc. deserve to share the credit when a movie is this outstanding, but with such a super group of actors on the screen (from top to bottom) it's easy to heap all the praise on them. I had unconsciously (and unfairly) pigeonholed Alan Rickman based on the other role I'd seen him in, the villain in 'Die Hard,' so he was quite a surprise to me. The real bombshell, however, was my first exposure to Kate Winslet. After seeing this movie and Kenneth Branagh's 'Hamlet' I can say I can't remember another young actress who has impressed me so much. And she played these difficult roles by the time she was 20! Many of the other cast members are a part of an excellent group that Thompson and Branagh have often worked with in the past.

I realized that 'S&S' had become one of my all-time favorite movies when I found myself watching it every chance I got when it came on TV. I think it's bumped 'Raging Bull' off my personal top 10 list.