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 Networks, Chestermead, Meridian Broadcasting

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The pale green muslin gown with intricate ivory lace appliqués that Lucy Robinson as Mrs. Elton wears during the strawberry picking scene at Donwell is the same gown worn by Jennifer Granville (as Mrs. Hurst) at Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice (1980) and by an extra at the London party where Lord Byron meets Annabella Milbanke in Byron (2003). Robinson herself plays Mrs. Hurst in Pride and Prejudice (1995). The costume is also worn by the dancing mistress in The Regency House Party (2004).

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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

Version of Emma (1948)

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Soundtracks

Dashing Away with the Smoothing Iron
(uncredited)
Traditional English folk song
[incorporated in the score as Emma and Harriet meet Mr. Martin]

User Reviews

Kate Beckinsale, a perfect Emma

Jane Austen's Emma is an extremely enjoyable story at the worst of times and this production of the story is the best I have ever seen. Kake Beckinsale's Emma is irreproachable. Gwyneth Paltrow, (with the help of a good screenplay and excellent cinematography) is able to bring out the comedy effectively, she fails to make Emma likeable. Paltrow is not aided by the fact that her hairstyles are simply 'wrong' for the part (and I believe the era) and she looks positively ill in the empire line dresses. Kate Beckinsale, on the other hand, manages the comedy effortlessly and is still able to show what Mr Knightly (the most romantic of Jane Austen's heroes) actually sees in her. Mark Strong is a splendid Mr Knightly with the right mix of handsome looks, an appropriate age, chivalry, compassion and gentlemanly behaviour. Emma and Mr Knightly are supported by a cast of good actors and the production as a whole is quite delightful.