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Rating:  - Entertaining But Not Good Enough
I have no idea why Masterpiece on PBS is giving us these truncated versions of Jane Austen's novels. There is no reason trying to adapt Austen's novel into a 90 minute movie. Too much is left out and there are hardly any psychological nuances touched upon among the characters. The cast of this version is very appealing but there is no enough dramatic buildup or tension. We will have to wait another few years for a definitive film version of Mansfield Park. Supposedly the best adaptation in this series is the new Sense and Sensibility and that is in two parts.
Rating:  - Masterpiece Theater: Mansfield Park
When I saw this on TV, it was referred to as simply "Masterpiece," possibly the producer's name. It was not presented as Masterpiece Theater nor was it a BBC production. I thought the script and the acting were sub par. I note the cover picture only states "Masterpiece." I believe you are in error referring to it as "Masterpiece Theater."
Rating:  - Pretty good!
This remake was pretty good in that it seemed to go more in depth in some areas than the previous movie. I know it wasn't true to the book in spots but I much preferred Lady Bertram's part in this remake. I thought another actress would have done a better job than Billie Piper but she did a passable job.I thought Edmund Bertram's character was a bit juvenile at times but Fanny was shown to be more playful and well liked in this version.
Rating: - Ugh
What is it with actresses who dye their hair blond and leave their brows dark -- it's horribly distracting.
If you want a good adaptation of Mansfield Park, go to the previous BBC version. It's a bit slow, (but so is the book) but very faithful to the spirit of the novel. This film, whatever it is, is not Mansfield Park, nor is the actress in any way Fanny. Fanny was reserved, shy, and not strong. The girl in this movie had her breasts and hair continually flopping about and her face (under her two tone hair) bore a perpetually sulky smirk that seemed to be trying for sultriness. Her wild behavior (and appearance) bears no resemblance to the character in the book. The rest of the film wasn't too bad, but with the central character so out of character, it was hard to enjoy anything else.
Whoever did this adaption appears to have been influenced by the "Beverly Hillbillies" version of Pride and Prejudice that had equally bizarre behavior on the part of the main characters. Suffice to say, Fanny wouldn't be running around as the character in this film does. The new adaptations of Persuation and Northanger Abbey are fine, but this one is a failure.
Rating: - Not Mansfield Park
I first saw this movie on PBS and had to buy it right away. Billie Piper is a great actress and the movie is very compelling. However, it is not Mansfield Park. The character of Fanny Price is portrayed very differently from the novel and changes the whole drama. I think, though, that many young girls will appreciate Billie Piper's version of an independent, enthusiastic and energetic young lady rather than Jane Austen's quiet, long suffering heroine.
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