Persuasion (2007)

Royal Navy captain Wentworth was haughtily turned down eight years ago as suitor of pompous baronet Sir Walter Elliot's daughter Anne, despite true love. Now he visits their former seaside ... See full summary »

Director:

Adrian Shergold

Writers:

Jane Austen (novel), Simon Burke (screenplay)

Stars:

Sally Hawkins, Alice Krige, Anthony Head

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sally Hawkins	...	Anne Elliot
Alice Krige	...	Lady Russell
Anthony Head	...	Sir Walter Elliot
Julia Davis	...	Elizabeth Elliot
Michael Fenton Stevens	...	Mr Shepherd (as Michael Fenton-Stevens)
Mary Stockley	...	Mrs Clay
Peter Wight	...	Admiral Croft
Marion Bailey	...	Mrs Croft
Amanda Hale	...	Mary Musgrove
Jennifer Higham	...	Louisa Musgrove
Rosamund Stephen	...	Henrietta Musgrove
Stella Gonet	...	Mrs Musgrove
Sam Hazeldine	...	Charles Musgrove
Louis Shergold	...	Little Charles
Nicholas Farrell	...	Mr Musgrove

Storyline

Royal Navy captain Wentworth was haughtily turned down eight years ago as suitor of pompous baronet Sir Walter Elliot's daughter Anne, despite true love. Now he visits their former seaside country estate, rented by his brother-in-law, admiral Croft, so the financially stressed baronet can afford a fashionable, cheaper residence in trendy Bath. First the former lovers meet again on the estate, where they feel vibes again, but neither dares admit them until it seems too late. Yet the truth becomes clear, both have moved, but meet again in Bath.

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Plot Keywords:

female protagonist | cousin cousin relationship | cousin marriage | cousins incest | cousin cousin incest | 

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Taglines:

A new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

PBS [United States]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 January 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Persuasion

Filming Locations:

Assembly Rooms, Bath, Somerset, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clerkenwell Films, WGBH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The sage-green Spencer jacket Sally Hawkins wears as Anne Elliot in the film's final scene is the same garment Amanda Root wears as Anne Elliot in the street in Bath in Screen Two: Persuasion (1995). The jacket is also worn by an extra at the salon in Byron (2003).

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Goofs

On the walk to Winthrop, as the camera focuses on Ann overhearing Frederick and Louisa's conversation, a crew member with a red jacket is seen in the background (at around 38 mins) behind her.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[Anne has been upset and flustered as she hurries through Kellynch Hall, marking an inventory of items throughout the mansion. She spies Lady Russell's carriage approaching and goes outside to meet her. They talk while returning inside]
Anne Elliot: My dear Russell!
Lady Russell: My dear Anne. You look quite done for. I came back as soon as I received your letter. I had no idea the position was so worse.
Anne Elliot: Unfortunately, a person who has contracted debts must pay them, even if he is a gentleman.
Lady Russell: Was there no ...
[...]

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Connections

Version of Screen Two: Persuasion (1995)

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Soundtracks

Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor (Moonlight Sonata)
(uncredited)
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
(Anne plays pianoforte)

User Reviews

Performance of Chief Characters Brilliant

I prefer this version of Persuasion to the 1995 Amanda Root/Ciaran Hinds one.

To respond to the previous comment, I agree that the hand-held camera at the beginning was dizzying.

I thoroughly enjoyed the numerous close-ups on both Sally Hawkins' and Rupert Penry-Jones' faces. Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth are characters with rich inner lives. I felt that those feelings/thoughts were amply conveyed in their faces.

As far as being a consummate Jane Austen leading man, I think that Rupert Penry-Jones' Captain Wentworth should be thought to rival the Fitzwilliam Darcy of Colin Firth in 1995.

I believe that Anne's cousin, Mr. Elliot, is meant to be more charismatic than Captain Wentworth. Elliot is a chameleon, whereas Wentworth is more reserved.

I agree that the chemistry between Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds is better, but only just. Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones came across as younger, so perhaps the history they convey is a simpler one.

I prefer Corin Redgrave's playing of Sir Walter Elliot in the 1995 version. It is delightfully foppish.

I believe that 1995 is a better film, but I prefer 2007 for the depth of performance I get from the two main characters, Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Frederick Wentworth.