Jane Austen discussion

Many of us are dedicated movie fans and love discussing them, especially period movies. Here in our group, we are interested in trying a series of movie discussions throughout the remainder of the summer season. The discussions might be fun and would mean less time commitment than our usual book discussions.

I am determining interest in this thread and asking for movie suggestions. The basic criteria for the movie is that it is a period movie -- it doesn't have to be Austen-related. From the suggestions, I will compile a list of the order of our discussions and give members a chance to rent or obtain the movie in time for the discussion.

I am aiming at one movie discussion per week, hopefully beginning in July if we can get our list started. I welcome great movie suggestions and any thoughts on the discussion plan itself.

I'm definitely on board. I studied in film in college so I'd be more than happy to recommend some!

What a great idea, Sarah! I will definately participate!!! I suggest the movie "Bright Star" for a discussion, or the miniseries "Little Dorrit".

Not sure what period you want but here are some non-Austen related flicks off the top of my head:

The Young Victoria, Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth, Elizabeth the Golden Age, The Duchess, Man in the Iron Mask, Vanity Fair, The Other Boleyn Girl

I'll keep thinking!

More good choices. Maybe we'll just stick with Prior to WWII as our time period for "period movies." WWII is such a vast category all its own, we'll just leave it out.

The Importance of Being Earnest and Gosford Park

I am a film buff to the core, so I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!

The films everyone has mentioned are excellent choices, and I would add: Ever After, Nicholas Nickleby (the version with Charlie Hunnam and Anne Hathaway), and Kingdom of Heaven or A Knight's Tale for a big action epic.

Also, would Stardust qualify as period? And what about films where only most of the story is period, like The Princess Bride or Possession?

Some others to consider:
Enchanted April
A Room With A View
Wives and Daughters
Ladies in Lavender
Howard's End

I am new to the board and would LOVE to join in on some great summer movies! I might suggest the "Wives and Daughters" miniseries (is that alright?)~ I've been wanting to see it.

Colette wrote: "I am new to the board and would LOVE to join in on some great summer movies! I might suggest the "Wives and Daughters" miniseries (is that alright?)~ I've been wanting to see it."

The BBC adaptation of Wives and Daughters was awesome! I'm due to re-watch it soon! Welcome to the group, Colette! Cheers! Chris

ooh, I agree Wives and Daughters is amazing!

Megan wrote: "The Importance of Being Earnest and Gosford Park"

Those are 2 of my favorites! I have seen Gosford Park more than 50 times--it is amazing!!

This sounds like fun! Count me in!

love your choices, Jamie! Especially A Room with a View and Howard's End. I'm a huge E.M. Forster fan. I've also been meaning to see Wives and Daughters. I second your nominations.

Susan wrote: "love your choices, Jamie! Especially A Room with a View and Howard's End. I'm a huge E.M. Forster fan. I've also been meaning to see Wives and Daughters. I second your nominations."

Thanks, Susan! :) A Room With A View is my favorite book. I like the 1986 movie, but I love the book so much that I don't feel like any adaptation has been able to measure up so far! E. M. Forster is such an amazing writer.

I totally agree, Jamie. Did you hate the recent adaptation by BBC/Andrew Davies as much as I did? I love going back to the book again and again to remind myself exactly how good it is.

I haven't seen that adaptation. Shortly before it came out in the states I went online and read up on it to see what I could find out about it. I was really disappointed in what I read and saw, so I didn't bother to watch. One of the things that bothered me was how Lucy was supposed to be looking back on her life after George dies in the war. Terrible!

Yes, they totally butchered it!

I would definitely second "Enchanted April". Also:
Amadeus
Chariots of Fire
Dangerous Liaisons
Days of Heaven
Girl With a Pearl Earring
The House of Mirth
The Illusionist
Impromptu
Jezebel
The Last of the Mohicans
A Man for All Seasons
Murder By Decree
My Favorite Year
Our Mutual Friend (1998)
Nicholas Nickleby (with James d'Arcy as Nicholas)
Romeo and Juliet (the 1968 version)

What a perfect thread as I just signed up for Netflix! Yay! Appreciate all these recommendations.

Just went through our movie collection and found a few that haven't yet been mentioned:
Immortal Beloved
Elizabeth
Elizabeth the Golden Age
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Moll Flanders

I'm really looking forward to spending the summer with lots of lovely period movies. The costumes are always so gorgeous.

Another one that just occurred to me - Gosford Park. I absolutely loved it.

Well folks, I suspected you might have some good movie taste! Let's round out the suggestions by tonight. I may literally put the suggestions in a bowl and have a drawing to set up our first schedule. I say "first" because with so many suggestions and, if the discussions draw interest, we can always have a second movie session upcoming. We'll still plan to start the first at the beginning of July.

Whew -- impressive list!

melissa! immortal beloved is amazing!! so glad you recommended it!

Sarah wrote: "Well folks, I suspected you might have some good movie taste! Let's round out the suggestions by tonight. I may literally put the suggestions in a bowl and have a drawing to set up our first sche..."

Sarah, did you pick the list of movies for discussion yet?

Thanks Jamie and all for your interest -- I was out of town on business for a couple of days -- but am back and should get the schedule posted in the morning! I did have a chance to have the random drawing of your suggestions and create a viewing/discussion schedule. I will get it on here ASAP!

For those of you who provided several suggestions -- thanks very much. I narrowed your suggestions down to three each by individual drawings and then I placed all in the big pot. I think it worked out well. But without further drama -- I will be back in a few hours!

Next to books...watching movies is the next best thing. Here are a few of my suggestions of my favorites....

North and South; Jane Eyre (Timothy Dalton or Toby Stephens adaption); Young Victoria, Goodnight, Mr. Tom; Daniel Deronda; The Mayor of Casterbridge; Persuasion (Hinds or Jones adaption); The Age of Innocence; Anne of Green Gables; Bright Star; Bleak House; Little Dorrit; David Copperfield; Cranford, The Count of Monte Cristo; Elizabeth; Forsyte Saga; The Lost Prince; Pride and Prejudice (of course, Firth anyone? MacFayden anyone); Sense and Sensibility, Wuthering Heights, etc...there are so many more but this is a good start!!!

Lisa Anne wrote: "Next to books...watching movies is the next best thing. Here are a few of my suggestions of my favorites....

North and South; Jane Eyre (Timothy Dalton or Toby Stephens adaption); Young Victoria..."

I loved Bright Star, and some of the other films you mentioned (and some are good choices for me so I'll search dvds)

I'd like to recommend film "The Last Station" with Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer and James McAvoy. It's a period film about the last year on Leo Tolstoy's life. I watched it for second time last night and I loved it.

Oh...my best friend Toni told me about this movie. She is in love with James McAvoy currently. Anyway, I keep forgetting to put it on my Netflix. I will write myself a note and do so this evening. I need a good period drama to hold me over till they release Kings Speech on DVD!!!!

Bright Star is lovely, isn't it? It added to my Keats obsession last summer. I couldn't get enough of his works.

Lisa Anne wrote: "Oh...my best friend Toni told me about this movie. She is in love with James McAvoy currently. Anyway, I keep forgetting to put it on my Netflix. I will write myself a note and do so this evening. ..."

I really enjoyed Last Station, apart of giving an interesting portrait of Tolstoy it's a very well made film (at least in my opinion). McAvoy is adorable in that one and also Helen Mirren!

I loved Bright Star. I've been trying to find a copy of Keats' love letters but not available in Spain :( I feel lucky today as a tv station here has announced Jane Campion's film "The Piano" for tonight, I really liked it

The Piano is a wonderful film! I have not seen that one in a long time.

As for Keat's....I have a complete book of his poems but have not sought out any of his letters. Hmm, I might have to look into that.

You are from Spain!! Fabulous...one of my favorite poets is from Spain...Frederico Garcia Lorca. I became obsessed with his work last year. I have not purchased a copy of his work for my possession yet but have sought his poems out online. He was wonderful. I write poetry too and I love his work because of the beauty and simplicity of it!

Lisa Anne wrote: "The Piano is a wonderful film! I have not seen that one in a long time.

As for Keat's....I have a complete book of his poems but have not sought out any of his letters. Hmm, I might have to loo..."

Lisa Anne, yes I am spanish. I do like García Lorca. I enjoyed Gypsy Ballads: Romancero Gitano and also his play The House of Bernarda Alba: A Drama About Women in Villages of Spain I'm glad to see here his works are published in English... many spanish classics aren't.
As English isn't my first language I have some problems with Keats. I found this book with poetry and love letters Bright Star: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne and I'm tempted to buy it in english to read the letters, but I'm afraid not being able to read poetry in english.
I will certainly enjoy The Piano tonight! I watched it years ago and I loved it.

Well, if it makes you feel any better...I can read Keats but I just have to say...I am sure the professionals could tell you the true meaning of the poems but I interpret them to how they make me feel. Poetry is surely tricky especially the pure poets of Keats time!

I have seen Bright Star Love Letters and Poems of John Keates to Fanny Brawne...I thumbed through it at the bookstore....I think you would be ok to get a copy of it!

Enjoy your movie. Not sure what I will watch tonite. Maybe night two of American Idol or maybe just read!

Have a wonderful night!

Lisa Anne wrote: "Well, if it makes you feel any better...I can read Keats but I just have to say...I am sure the professionals could tell you the true meaning of the poems but I interpret them to how they make me f..."

Lisa Anne, I really enjoyed last night! I was glad to find that I still loved The Piano, even though the years that passed since I watched it for first time. Also, after it I found this one just starting so I stayed.. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424205/ I don't know if you consider it "period" but I really enjoyed it, very moving.

I have heard of that Joyex Noel but I don't think I have ever seen it. Yes, I would consider it a period piece. I will have to rent it from Netflix.

I am glad you enjoyed your movie. I wound up watching Survivor, American Idol and caught an interview with American Rocker Brett Michaels on Piers Morgan tonite. Didn't even read last night! Let my mind go with mindless tv! Have a great day!

Miss. Potter, Amazing Grace, Finding Neverland, Becomming Jane, The Dutchess

I saw most of these movies already. Especially Michele. Have not seen Amazing Grace, though.

Robin wrote: "I saw most of these movies already. Especially Michele. Have not seen Amazing Grace, though."

Michele wrote: "Miss. Potter, Amazing Grace, Finding Neverland, Becomming Jane, The Dutchess"

Amazing Grace is a really good movie. It is about the man who wrote the song and what inspired him to write it.

I love all of these movies. I have seen them all at least once and own half of them.

I would also add Young Victoria and also Victoria and Albert.

Victoria and Albert take you through their whole lifes together. It was a BBC movie.

Victoria and Albert sounds good to me.

It was a really good show. It went more into their lives than Young Victoria.

Thanks for the info on the BBC Victoria and Albert. I just ordered it from the library.

Kim wrote: "Not sure what period you want but here are some non-Austen related flicks off the top of my head:

The Young Victoria, Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth, Elizabeth the Golden Age, The Duchess, Man in t..."

I didn't like The Other Boleyn Girl as the characters were not historically correct.

Jamie wrote: "Some others to consider:
Enchanted April
A Room With A View
Wives and Daughters
Ladies in Lavender
Howard's End"
I LOVE Enchanted April!