How Does This Compare to Original 80's Version? - Mansfield Park (1999) Discussion

[–] Unwanted_Birdtamer 19 years ago

I haven't seen the 80s version, but I know it's much more faithful to the book than this one. This version threw characterization out the window with many of the characters, left out other characters, introduced subplots that weren't there, added sex scenes, etc.

It's not the tragedies that kill us, it's the messes.

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[–] sdblosom 19 years ago

Ok, thanks, I'll rent the 80's version first then.

&^_^&

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[–] sdblosom 19 years ago

I just saw the 80's version. OH MY GOD...nothing could have been worse! I knew it was going to be stupid when I heard the electric guitar solo at the beginning. Man oh man...that was so horrible I couldn't even finish it! And the lead is so obnoxious and fakey! UGH....!!!

Now I'm going to watch the newer version, it can't possibly be as bad as this one!

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[–] tinka212 18 years ago

LOL!! For some reason this post makes me laugh. It was really that bad? I hope you liked the 1999 version better : )

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[–] Miss-Cellaneous 17 years ago

Though I am by no means a historian or a literary purist, I enjoy the calm, gentle pace of Jane Austen and don't appreciate "modern" additions to such great stories (the scene with Henry and Maria should not have been added).

For me, a Jane Austen movie isn't just a movie it is a vacation to a beautiful, relaxing, fanciful place and time - therefore, I love the original Mansfield Park because it is long and slow-paced! The longer the story; the longer my vacation.

I admit that this 'stage-like' adaption is slow and quit, and I didn't care much for it the first time we watched it; but I now appreciate that the calm conversations and quiet transitions make that era seem more real to me, like I'm sitting in the room with the characters. The 80s version is now one of my favorites! :)

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[–] nubka 17 years ago

Sdblosom, you are mistaken. The movie you are thinking of is Northanger Abbey, which did indeed have a very strange soundtrack. Electric guitars, and a sax solo, too!

There are no guitars in Mansfield Park. The origianl BBC adaption is wonderful and is extremely faithful to JA's book.

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[–] heatherbee 16 years ago

One way it compares is that Jonny Lee Miller appears to be in both - as Charles Price in the 1983 TV miniseries graduating to the lead in the 1999 film...how odd

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[–] rcadiay-1 16 years ago

The original 80's version is much more faithful to the book, in characterization, plot, and spirit/tone. Henry looks kind of like a chipmunk, but Mary is in much the same style in both versions. By the way, the young woman who played the lead (Fanny) in the 80's version of Mansfield Park went on to play Mrs. Allen in ITV's 2007 version of Northanger Abbey.

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[–] kevinswife 15 years ago

I look forward to seeing the 80's version. If you recall, Austen described Henry as "not handsome". He was obviously very charismatic, however.

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[–] frulewis 15 years ago

have to say i found the 80s version boring and the woman who played Fanny unbearable on my first viewing but i went back to it recently and while it still isn't as good as i would have wished it is much better on second viewing and although Fanny is a bit stunted, for want of a better word, i think she, and the entire film, were quite faithful to the book adn that is something i suppose.

flowers are essentially tarts, prostitutes to the bees :D

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[–] ginger_st 14 years ago

Yep, in the 80s version, the actor is deffinetely not handsome. He looked a bit too young. Like a spoilt school boy. Mary Crawford was portraied very well, though.

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[–] Ilario1 14 years ago

I didn't care for the 80s version, lol. That woman who played Fanny was annoying to me. I tried to give it a chance but it reminded me of watching an old soap opera from the 70s. Didn't like it at all.

I don't care if this version wasn't faithful to the book. I liked it. It was a beautiful story and I liked Fanny and Edmund in this story. I liked when he came to get her to tell her about his brother and their ride back in the carriage. She loved him so much but she just held it in. I was feeling her.

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