Masterpiece Theatre: Mansfield Park

Masterpiece Theatre: Mansfield Park
by Iain B. MacDonald

Masterpiece Theatre: Mansfield Park
List Price: $24.95
Our Price: $19.99
You Save: $4.96 (20%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $13.52 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details


(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD details

Actor: Billie Piper, Blake Ritson
Director: Iain B. MacDonald
Brand: WGBH BOSTON VIDEO
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 90 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-01-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: WGBH Boston

DVD Reviews of Masterpiece Theatre: Mansfield Park

DVD Review: Not My Favorite
Summary: 3 Stars

I wanted to root for this version, I really did. Fanny Price is one of most unappreciated of the Austen lead females. I am always up for an Austen adaption, but this one, well, I was disappointing. The only reason I will be buying it because my Austen DVD collection feels incomplete without it.

Billie Piper was an interesting choice of Fanny Price. However, it would have been a better choice had she looked appropriate for the period, as others have pointed out. I liked Blake Ritson as Edmund and Hayley Atwell was an excellent Mary. The moment I knew I was disappointing when Fanny was not send back to Portsmith after rejecting Henry. Though it was nice to see William.

Oh well, maybe one day, we will get a faithful adaption.

DVD Review: Terrible; I'll be brief
Summary: 1 Stars

In any film adaptation of a novel liberties must be taken, but in this case critical points in the story were removed as misleading touches were added. First and foremost, we have to see the profound but infinitely gradual transformation of Fanny Price. This is the Cinderella story as it might be in reality. Fanny is described as remarkably pretty, but it does not show until she is forced into the spotlight. Her strength of character has been formed by years of abuse and neglect bolstered by probably an excellent education as she was left without other amusements.
In this film, the Fanny has far too much confidence and a kind of wildness that is wholly at odds with her description. The novel makes it clear that she has an innate elegance that is nowhere to be seen in this film.

The characters in Mansfield Park may be Austen's most realistic. There is more than a hint that Sir Thomas is involved in the slave trade. The sisters, Maria and Julia seem like clones, but you can read the subtle but telling differences; illustrating these would make the film so much more interesting. Mrs. Norris is a true villain who tortures Fanny for years. Henry Crawford can be seen as a tragic figure who is nearly saved by his association with Fanny; the scenes in Portsmouth open us to his potential. Edmund is kind of stiff, and marriage to Mary might have helped him. The novel makes clear that Tom does not return to the racing pages after his brush with death. Even the character of Susan offers a glimpse into what a strong character in reduced circumstances can achieve.

I did promise to be brief, but like so many other contributions here, mine is in danger of listing the many faults of this film. Do yourself a favour and read the book!

DVD Review: Jane Austen Fan
Summary: 4 Stars

I love Jane Austen's stories but by far Mansfield Park is one of my favorites. This dvd version is very well made. I like Ms. Billie Piper in her protrayal of Fanny Price. When I read the story in my mind she was a sweet, innocent, uncomplicated young lady and that is what Ms. Piper protrayed her as. I love watching this movie over and over again.

DVD Review: Very enjoyable movie
Summary: 4 Stars

This version of Masfield Park is my favorite. The acting was good. I liked it very much

DVD Review: Boring, rushed, and ubelievable
Summary: 2 Stars

If you love Jane Austen, you probably won't like this film. It is rushed, and I don't think the actors play their parts very well. I wasn't convinced that each one WAS the character they were playing. Billie Piper is a lovely girl, but she just isn't Jane Austen type. Her portrayal of Fannie was just...weird. Fanny wasn't the kind of lady you'd expect to see in Jane Austen's time, that's for sure. Even the romance elements of the film were downplayed and rushed. If you're looking for a good period romance, watch "North and South" with Richard Armitage. If you want a good Jane Austen film, watch "Pride and Prejudice" with Colin Firth, "Sense and Sensibility" (either one, but the BBC is more accurate), or "Northanger Abbey" by BBC. If you're looking for pretty much a waste of time, watch this version of "Mansfield Park".

Description of Masterpiece Theatre: Mansfield Park

In one of Austen's most complex plots, Billie Piper (Doctor Who, The Ruby in the Smoke) stars as Fanny Price, who goes to live with prosperous relatives at Mansfield Park. Fanny navigates a labyrinth of intrigues and affairs among the occupants of the house, while her cousin Edmund Bertram (Blake Ritson, Inspector Lynley Mysteries) remains her stalwart confidant. Also starring Jemma Redgrave (Bramwell) as Fanny?s observant aunt.

General DVDs

DVD Video
Bestsellers in General DVDs
Shaun of the Dead ImageShaun of the Dead
PEGG,SIMON; Release date: 2004-12-21; DVD
Best price: $4.98
Price in other shops: $12.98
Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Special Edition) ImageDr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Special Edition)
Sony; Release date: 2001-02-27; DVD
Best price: $5.51
Price in other shops: $14.94
Romeo & Juliet ImageRomeo & Juliet
HUSSEY,OLIVIA; Release date: 2000-05-23; DVD
Best price: $4.18
Price in other shops: $9.98
State of Play (BBC Miniseries) ImageState of Play (BBC Miniseries)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-02-26; DVD
Best price: $19.50
Price in other shops: $34.98
Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition) ImageSense & Sensibility (Special Edition)
Sony; Release date: 1999-08-24; DVD
Best price: $5.78
Price in other shops: $14.94
Once ImageOnce
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2007-12-18; DVD
Best price: $7.49
Price in other shops: $14.98
Persuasion ImagePersuasion
Sony; Release date: 2000-02-01; DVD
Best price: $7.38
Price in other shops: $14.94
Les Miserables: The 10th Anniversary Dream Cast in Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall ImageLes Miserables: The 10th Anniversary Dream Cast in Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-02-19; DVD
Best price: $21.48
Price in other shops: $34.98
The Inheritance ImageThe Inheritance
Release date: 2004-12-07; DVD
Best price: $2.34
Price in other shops: $6.99
Pride & Prejudice ImagePride & Prejudice
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN.; Release date: 2006-02-28; DVD
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops: $12.98
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre, 2006) ImageJane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre, 2006)
WGBH BOSTON VIDEO; Release date: 2007-02-20; DVD
Best price: $16.15
Price in other shops: $29.95
Cranford ImageCranford
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-05-20; DVD
Best price: $25.76
Price in other shops: $34.98
Pride and Prejudice (A&E, 1996) ImagePride and Prejudice (A&E, 1996)
Release date: 1998-07-01; DVD
Best price: $607.87
Persuasion ImagePersuasion
Sony; Release date: 2000-02-01; DVD
Best price: $6.65
Price in other shops: $14.94
Becoming Jane ImageBecoming Jane
Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2008-02-12; DVD
Best price: $8.48
Price in other shops: $19.99
Sense & Sensibility (with Miss Austen Regrets) (BBC TV 2008) ImageSense & Sensibility (with Miss Austen Regrets) (BBC TV 2008)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-04-08; DVD
Best price: $22.74
Price in other shops: $34.98
Emma (A&E, 1997) ImageEmma (A&E, 1997)
A&E; Release date: 1999-10-26; Published: 1997-01-01; DVD
Best price: $8.08
Price in other shops: $19.95
Sense & Sensibility Collector's Set (Sense & Sensibility 2008 / Miss Austen Regrets / Persuasion 2007) ImageSense & Sensibility Collector's Set (Sense & Sensibility 2008 / Miss Austen Regrets / Persuasion 2007)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-04-08; DVD
Best price: $33.90
Price in other shops: $49.98
Persuasion ImagePersuasion
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-01-15; DVD
Best price: $13.73
Price in other shops: $19.98
Masterpiece Theatre: Northanger Abbey ImageMasterpiece Theatre: Northanger Abbey
WGBH BOSTON VIDEO; Release date: 2008-01-22; DVD
Best price: $13.50
Price in other shops: $24.95
Compare prices and read customer reviews for more than one million DVD titles.
Oscar 2005 Winners