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 title opposites.

Director:

Ang Lee

Writers:

Jane Austen (novel), Emma Thompson (screenplay)

Stars:

Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, James Fleet

Won 1 Oscar. Another 32 wins & 49 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 (Tom Wilkinson) 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 (Dame Emma Thompson), Marianne (Kate Winslet), and Margaret (Emilie François), in straitened circumstances. They are taken in by a kindly cousin, but their lack of fortune affects the marriageability of practical Elinor and romantic Marianne. When Elinor forms an attachment for the wealthy Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant), his family disapproves and separates them. And though Mrs. Jennings (Elizabeth Spriggs) tries to match the worthy (and rich) Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman) to her, Marianne finds the dashing and fiery John Willoughby (Greg Wise) more to her taste. Both relationships are sorely tried.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

Lose your heart and come to your senses.

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild thematic elements

Did You Know?

Trivia

The windowpane check gown Dame Emma Thompson (Elinor Dashwood) wore while explaining Colonel Brandon's offer to Edward is the same costume Billie Piper (Fanny Price) wore in Mansfield Park (2007), Rosamund Stephen (Henrietta Musgrove) wore in Persuasion (2007), Victoria Hopkins in The Regency House Party (2004), and Honeysuckle Weeks in the sketch "Plots and Proposals" in Victoria Wood: With All the Trimmings (2000). The same costume is also worn by an extra at the London party where Byron meets Annabella Milbanke in Byron (2003).

---

Goofs

In asking, "is love a fancy, or a feeling?" Marianne quotes the first line of a sonnet by Hartley Coleridge (son of Samuel Taylor Coleridge), a poem not written until after 1830.

---

Quotes

Edward Ferrars: Colonel Brandon must be a man of great worth and respectability.
Elinor Dashwood: Yes, he is the kindest and best of men.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Graham Norton Show: Hugh Grant/Jason Momoa/Sarah Millican/Kelly Clarkson (2017)

---

Soundtracks

Weep You No More Sad Fountains
Music by Patrick Doyle
text anonymous

User Reviews

jaded seniors

It's not easy to get seniors to do anything, even watch a movie and when you mention Jane Austen, they zone out. Yet each year when we do this film in class, about 80 percent end up loving it and that includes the guys. It's wonderful to watch them respond to the characters and get into a film that is so "talky" when they have been used to high action. To hear the girls call Willoughby a jerk and applaud Brandon at the end is great, but to listen to the boys comment on the behavior of the various characters is even better. How they respond to a society so filled with strict manners and codes of behavior also makes this film worthwhile and it generates much discussion about the importance of money in life; well, even Thompson in the commentary said the film is about money, who has it and who does not. I love showing this film to my students; after the groans when I start it on the first day, it's wonderful to hear their comments on day five when we finish. As one senior male said this year, "I wouldn't have rented this or wanted to see it, but now that I have, I admit it was pretty good, so I'm glad you showed it." This is why they are classics, kiddies.

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