Jane Austen's Emma DVD 2009 Part 1. / BBC mini-series / Directed by Jim O'Hanlon / Starring: Romola Garai, Jonny Lee Miller, Michael Gambon, Tamsin Greig

UPC 5996473008856

REGION 2 PAL DVD

MADE IN HUNGARY

AUDIO: English 2.0, Hungarian 2.0

SUBTITLES: Hungarian, Romanian

Total Runtime: 106 minutes

English Summary:

Austen's classic comic novel follows the story of the "handsome, clever and rich" Emma Woodhouse. Dominating the small provincial world of Highbury, Emma believes she is a skilled matchmaker and repeatedly attempts to pair up her friends and acquaintances. Nothing delights her more than meddling in the love lives of others. But when she takes protégée Harriet Smith under her wing, her interference has a detrimental effect.

Brought up sharply against the folly of her own immaturity, the consequent crisis and her bitter regrets are brought to a happy resolution in a comedy of self-deceit and self-discovery.

Hungarian Summary:

Emma Woodhouse nem kívánhatna szebb életet, hiszen gyönyörű otthona van, barátai, és nem utolsósorban egy szerető és gondoskodó édesapja. Ám Emmának van egy nyomasztó szokása - nem bírja megállni, hogy ne keresse meg barátai számára az ideális társat, különösen Harriot ügyében ténykedik. Mindenáron szeretné, ha Harriotra rátalálna a boldogság, ám minden potenciális udvarló inkább magához Emmához vonzódik. Vajon Emma olyannyira szem előtt tartja Harriot boldogságát, hogy még a sajátjára sincs tekintettel?

Cast and characters

• Romola Garai as Emma Woodhouse: In Austen's opening lines of the novel: "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her." Emma has no need to marry, being head of her own household, and having plenty of money, but she delights in matchmaking those around her — and credits herself with being very good at it - despite Mr Knightley's scepticism.
• Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. George Knightley: Mr Knightley is Emma's only social and intellectual equal in Highbury, living at Donwell Abbey, a rambling country estate a short walk from Hartfield. He has known Emma since she was in diapers, and there's an easy familiarity between them. He is an individual, quick-witted, with a dry sense of humour — often used in sparring with Emma. But he also has a strong moral compass — and at times he strongly disagrees with Emma over her behaviour.
• Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse: Mr Woodhouse is described by Austen as a valetudinarian — old before his time. He lost his wife when his two daughters were very young, and has developed an extremely nervous disposition. He is a loving and kind father, but he worries constantly, especially about health. He hardly ever leaves Hartfield, and hates the thought of Emma ever leaving him.
• Louise Dylan as Harriet Smith: Harriet is a parlour boarder at Mrs Goddard's School. She has been sent there to be educated by her father, who remains anonymous, because Harriet is his "natural daughter" — i.e., she's illegitimate. Being a parlour boarder means that she has stayed on at the school to help out with the other girls. She's pretty, but in reality, she has little prospect of marrying a gentleman. Emma, however, is sure that Harriet's anonymous father must be a gentleman, and takes her under her wing.
• Jodhi May as Anne Taylor/Weston: Anne has been Emma's governess since her mother died when Emma was a baby. More like a sister than a governess, Anne is wise and caring, but devoted to Emma and perhaps a little indulgent. When she marries Mr Weston, she is worried about leaving Emma on her own at Hartfield.
• Robert Bathurst as Mr. Weston: Mr Weston is an eternal optimist, despite the fact that his life has not always run smoothly. He married young, to a woman who spent all his money, who was disowned by her family, and then died, leaving him with Frank, his two-year-old son. He agreed for Frank to be adopted by his wife's estranged sister, who insisted that he change his name to Frank Churchill. Frank has lived in the lap of luxury ever since.
• Rupert Evans as Frank Churchill: Frank is a ball of energy, charming, mischievous, and spoilt. He has been kept at his manipulative aunt's beck and call for most of his life, and often seems to be called back to her bedside whenever he ventures away — although it is never entirely clear whether this is just a convenient excuse for not visiting Highbury and his father. At his worst, he could be a rogue — and he seems to delight in gossiping about Jane Fairfax.
• Laura Pyper as Jane Fairfax: Jane's parents died when she was a toddler. Her aunt, Miss Bates, and grandmother Mrs Bates sent her from Highbury to live with the Campbells, who could offer greater advantages. Captain Campbell knew she would be a good companion for his only daughter, Miss Campbell. Ever since, Jane has excelled at everything a girl should, and Miss Bates has bored Emma rigid with Jane's virtues at every opportunity. Now Jane has reached the age where she must leave the Campbells and return to Highbury — but what is the real reason for her return?
• Tamsin Greig as Miss Bates: Miss Bates is the daughter of the former vicar of Highbury, who died many years ago. She has never married, and now never will. Without a husband to provide an income, she faces ever-increasing poverty. Despite her woes, Miss Bates has a perennially cheerful disposition. She fills any silence with incessant talk.
• Valerie Lilley as Mrs. Bates: Where Miss Bates talks non stop, her aged mother, Mrs Bates, never speaks. She sits quietly in the corner of the room, or is wheeled from place to place by Miss Bates, revealing very little of what she really thinks of their situation.
• Blake Ritson as Mr. Elton: Mr Elton is the vicar of Highbury. In the early 19th century, the post of vicar could be given, inherited, or bought, and conferred a certain social status as well as an annual income. Mr Elton is a dashing young man, aware of his status in the village, and his eligibility. He's charming — perhaps, at times, a little too charming.
• Christina Cole as Augusta Elton: Mrs Elton is rich, and a good catch for Mr Elton in many ways. But she's also vulgar and interfering, and one-upmanship is second nature to her. She arrives in Highbury keen to prove her social standing, and immediately puts Emma's nose out of joint.

Recurring

• Dan Fredenburgh as John Knightley
• Poppy Miller as Isabella Knightley
• Jefferson Hall as Robert Martin
• Veronica Roberts as Mrs Goddard
• Liza Sadovy as Mrs Cole
• Eileen O'Higgins as Miss Martin 1
• Sarah Ovens as Miss Martin 2
• Susie Trayling as Mrs Churchill
• Frank Doody as Mr Dixon
• Amy Loughton as Miss Campbell / Mrs Dixon