Search - Persuasion on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Questionable for Children Movie Release: 1995 DVD Release: 02/01/2000 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 44 mins Studio: Columbia TriStar Members Wishing: 78 Genres: Drama, Romance, Romantic Drama, Period Film See Also: Persuasion [With Book]

Adapted from what is arguably Jane Austen's most mature and subtlest novel, -Persuasion is somewhat more nuanced and restrained than the more frequently adapted -Emma and -Pride and Prejudice. The protagonist, Anne (Amanda Root), is, by the conventions of society, considered an old maid when she remains unmarried at 27. However, a second chance arrives when her former love, Captain Wentworth (Ciaran Hinds), returns from the Napoleonic Wars. The pair, who hardly speak throughout, are surrounded by the usual assortment of family members, friends, acquaintances, and distant relations, many of them what pass for stock characters in Austen novels. There's the social-climbing parent, the dour upper aristocrat, the scatterbrained younger relatives, and, of course, the apparently suitable suitor who turns out to be all wrong. Of course, Austen's protagonists are never dumb, but Anne, being somewhat older, is also a good deal wiser, and the characters around her accordingly take on greater dimension and subtlety. Naturally, this being an Austen story, all ends well, but the path is somewhat less straightforward than in other films adapted from her work. ~ Genevieve Williams, All Movie Guide

Amanda Root - Anne
Ciarán Hinds - Capt. Wentworth
Susan Fleetwood - Lady Russell
Corin Redgrave - Sir Walter Elliot
Fiona Shaw - Mrs. Croft
John Woodvine - Admiral Croft

Roger Michell's adaptation of Jane Austen's -Persuasion comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1. The closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. English, Spanish, and French subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include bonus trailers and production notes. This Columbia/TriStar release does a fine job of presenting the film, making it worthwhile for anyone interested in elegant literary adaptations. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide