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Rating:  - Emma (A&E, 1997)
I saw this on PBS after I had read the book. It is very faithful to the book, so I decided to buy a copy for my home video library.
Rating: - Best Emma yet!
My mom, sister and I all enjoyed this version of Emma very much! I just love the romance it has to it. Other people have said Kate Beckinsale's Emma is annoying/dark/whatever but I thought she was absolutely perfect. The rest of the cast was very well chosen too, especially Mark Strong as Mr. Knightley... there was great chemistry there. My mom thought he looked too young but I don't care. :) Another big reason why I liked this version better than the Gwyneth Paltrow one was that it's more true to the book, both literally and in spirit. The GP version just seemed a little too Hollywood to me, too molded to fit the masses.
Of the three versions of Emma I've seen, this is my favorite! I'd say watch this one first, the GP version second, and don't even bother with the others, unless you're feeling very tolerant.
Rating: - Well done, indeed!
I own three Emma's: this one, Paltrow's and another BBC production from the 70's. The mettlesome Kate Beckensale is perfectly cast opposite Mark Stong as Knightley who brings needful gravitas to the role. The deception of the pretentious Frank Churchill is stylishly carried off by Raymond Coulthard. And who could not admire the lovely Olivia Williams as the silent suffering Miss Jane Fairfax? The talented Samantha Morton is the ill-advised Miss Harriet Smith. None detract from this virtually flawless production.
Only one thing could improve: A release in anamorphic widescreen as I've seen aired on public television instead of this full-screen (1.33:1) version.
Rating:  - Best Emma
This is the best version of Emma and I own 3 of them. Most believable.
Rating: - emma
A great adaptation of a sweet classic novel. I had a fun evening sharing the film with my preteen and teenage granddaughters. This was a book familiar to me when I was their age.
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