Austen on Film
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the book is always better than the movie, but
what fun we have watching those movies! Jane Austen’s novels have been adapted for television and film since
1938, confirming the fact that bringing Austen’s novels to the small or large screen is not a recent phenomenon.
Whether they are faithful adaptations, homages, reinterpretations or modernizations, we love to watch them
all – even if we are not always so fond of the finished product as we had wished to be. We are, however,
grateful to the producers, writers, directors, actors, and crew who draw attention to the novels of Jane Austen.
If you liked the movie, you’ll love the book!
Coming Attractions
Coming to a screen near you: Filmmakers are reimagining Jane Austen’s novels in fascinating ways. Lost in Austen, a four-part time-travel series in which a modern London woman travels through a portal to 19-century Longbourn, has premiered on ITV in the UK; Sense & Sensibilidad, a Latina version of Jane Austen’s classic novel set in modern-day Los Angeles, will begin filming in 2009; Screen Gems is planning a hip-hop musical adaptation of Emma set in an urban high school; and Stephen Fry’s production company is developing Jane Austen Handheld, in which Pride and Prejudice is filmed as a reality show.
Casting selections and release dates for these creative Austen-based movies will be added to jasna.org as information becomes available. Stay tuned.