Emma (1996)

While matchmaking for friends and neighbors, a young 19th-century Englishwoman nearly misses her own chance at love.

Director:

Diarmuid Lawrence

Writers:

Jane Austen (novel), Andrew Davies (screenplay)

Stars:

Kate Beckinsale, Bernard Hepton, Mark Strong

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kate Beckinsale	...	Emma Woodhouse
Bernard Hepton	...	Mr Woodhouse
Mark Strong	...	Mr Knightley
Samantha Bond	...	Mrs Weston
James Hazeldine	...	Mr Weston
Dominic Rowan	...	Mr Elton
Samantha Morton	...	Harriet Smith
Prunella Scales	...	Miss Bates
Sylvia Barter	...	Mrs Bates
Guy Henry	...	John Knightley
Dido Miles	...	Isabella Knightley
Raymond Coulthard	...	Frank Churchill
Olivia Williams	...	Jane Fairfax
Lucy Robinson	...	Mrs Elton
Peter Howell	...	Mr Perry

Storyline

Emma Woodhouse has a rigid sense of propriety as regards matrimonial alliances. Unfortunately she insists on matchmaking for her less forceful friend, Harriet, and so causes her to come to grief. Through the sharp words of Mr. Knightley, and the example of the opinionated Mrs. Elton, someone not unlike herself, Emma's attitudes begin to soften...

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Plot Keywords:

matchmaking | rural setting | urban setting | horseback riding | english country dance | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Official Sites:

A&E Emma Site PBS [United States]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Emma

Filming Locations:

Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

A&E Television Networks, Chestermead, Meridian Broadcasting

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The white wedding gown worn by Samantha Morton (Harriet Smith) during Emma's fantasy sequence of Harriet marrying Mr. Elton is the same costume worn by Emilia Fox (Clara Copperfield) in David Copperfield (1999), and by Julie Cox (Annabella Milbanke) in Byron (2003).

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Goofs

The year is approximately 1815, yet Jane Fairfax sings an Italian song composed in 1857.

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Quotes

Mr. Knightley: [Knightley speaks of Frank Churchill who will be going to London] To get his hair cut?

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Connections

Referenced in Drama Trails: 'Bad Girls' to 'Cold Blood' (2008)

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Soundtracks

Father, Father, Build Me a Boat
(uncredited)
Traditional
Performed by Kate Beckinsale and Raymond Coulthard
[Emma and Frank sing at the Weston's]

User Reviews

Brilliant! Way better than the Gwenneth Paltrow version

It has taken me a while to watch this version as unfortunately I don't seem to be able to rent it in the video store, only the other version but I fell in love with it. I was always borderline with the other Emma. Gwenneth and Toni Collette, as they are not British naturally have to put on the accent, and well to me it doesn't seem natural. It seems put on. Sorry but don't think Toni and Gwenneth did a brilliant job there. I could not warm to any of the characters, but this version is more heart warming and more the type of person I imagined Emma to be. It is definitely the version I will come back to from now on. I was disappointed that Mr Knightley was not better looking, but he is convincing. I also like Jane Fairfax better (played by Olivia Williams). I never warmed to her in the movie version, but she is better portrayed in this version. Come to think of it, (besides Mr Knightley) all characters are better played, and a lot less over the top. Unfortunately both came out around same time and the Paltrow version got more publicity. Pity...... I also love the new scene at the end. Well done to Kate Beckingsale! Therefore, if you are a Jane Austen fan, don't forget to watch this one.