Emma (2009) |  | Actors: Romola Garai, Jonny Lee Miller, Michael Gambon, Tamsin Greig, Rupert Evans
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $34.98
Buy New: $21.74
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Rating:  84 reviews
Format: Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 229 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.8
MPN: WARDE114948D
UPC: 883929096596
EAN: 0883929096596
Theatrical Release Date: 2009
Release Date: February 9, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 02/09/2010 Run time: 240 minutes Rating: Nr
Although Jane Austen's Emma has been adapted for the screen many times before, including for an American version starring Gwyneth Paltrow, this four-part miniseries is the version to begin with. The story of Miss Woodhouse, a matchmaker and meddler whose wit and misdirection need to be carefully acted to match the novel's complex character, is perfectly expressed through Romola Garai's portrayal. Throughout the retelling of this comedic romantic drama, Garai not only conveys Emma's strong-willed sensibility but also manages to update Emma for modern audiences without relinquishing the traditional manners and tastes that Austen fans love in her 1815 historical tale. Each episode, here, opens with a seasonal shot of Hartfield, the estate Emma rules while caring for her loyal and kind but protective father (Michael Gambon). Having lost her mother early, Emma feels a bond with two other unfortunate children in Highbury, Frank Churchill (Rupert Evans) and Jane Fairfax (Laura Pyper), whom Emma befriends as they return home from boarding schools abroad. The dramas that ensue revolve around Emma's attempts to pair lovers, with varied degrees of success. Episode One establishes Emma's curious desire to marry everyone off except herself. John Knightley (Johnny Lee Miller), Emma's childhood friend, is constantly by her side, coaching, supporting, and chiding her as she matures into an intelligent, regal young lady. Miller's ability to portray Knightley as the respectable, patient man he is throughout the series also lends this Emma incredible strength. In Episode Two, after Emma's beloved governess, Anne Taylor (Jodhi May), moves out to marry, Emma bonds with new girlfriend Harriet Smith (Louise Dylan), and from here we begin to see some of Emma's plans backfiring. Part of this series' genius is in how it manages, in keeping with Austen's book, to express deeper love developing between Emma and her true mate while Highbury's daily gossip continues. Though in Episodes Three and Four one weathers some minor emotional upheaval with aging parents, losses of wealth, and illnesses, this story is not tragic and most side plots point toward Emma's final love realization, which does not arrive until the last 20 minutes of the last episode. Settings and costumes enhance the story greatly, and views of the village farmers' market contrast with lavish balls and dinner parties hosted by the Woodhouse family and others to underscore Austen's original emphasis on capturing the preoccupations of upper-class British society in her day. Some scenes, as in Episode One when Knightley and Emma squabble for much too long over whom Harriet should marry, drag on, allowing one to marvel at how much free time these people had to worry about other business besides their own. Still, the romance in Emma is quite powerful and humor throughout makes this series ultimately enchanting. --Trinie Dalton
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 84
 veracious Jane Austen fan March 13, 2010
J. Rakowski (Chicago Ridge IL)
This version was done very well, the dvd is clear and the sound is flawless, I am enjoying is so much!!!
Another Jane Austen Winner March 13, 2010
Kathleen, an Austin Addict (California, USA)
I must confess I am a Jane Austen addict. I have almost every version of Jane Austen's books set to film, tape and DVD.
This version of Emma shows another side of Emma as being more superior with a wicked, teasing grin. Romola Garai captures Emma as she was meant to be in my opinion.
The British do a fabulous job again with the gorgeous scenery, fabulous clothing, and the estates of old English countryside bringing one into the time frame to share in the story.
No matter how many remakes there are, I will always love Jane Austen's stories as only the English theatre can create. I highly recommend this version for your collection.
 not entirely won over March 12, 2010
Karen P. Frisque (Eagle River, WI United States)
I wasn't sure they needed to improve on the version starring Kate Beckinsale but love everything Austen so I watched it. Loved many of the actors especially thought Michael Gambon perfected the role of Mr. Woodhouse. I liked the fact that there was more content in this version but felt it dragged on. Romola Garai made a firey Emma and there were more sparks between her and Mr. Knightly so I liked that and would like to see more movies that she's been in. I always love Jonny Lee Miller, too. I'll have to see it a few more times before I'm totally in love with it.
Full version March 11, 2010
C. McDaniel (United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This version of Emma does include the scenes which were omitted by PBS during it's Masterpiece Classic airing. I found that they contributed quite a bit toward the storyline and am glad that I got the chance to watch the full epsidodes. Over all a very lighthearted telling of Jane Austen's classic that stays very close to the original details.
 A Lovely Version of Emma March 11, 2010
Janeite (USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a devoted Janeite, I think I've seen almost every adaptation of her works ever filmed (and available in the US). I own the Gwyneth Paltrow version and was quite satisfied with it, but I could never watch it with my husband since he admitted it absolutely bored him to tears. I'm no big fan of the Kate Beckinsale version, so I was interested to see this new version starring reputable actors like Garai, Miller, and Gambon. I bought the dvd and just finished watching it with my husband last night, and he and I both agreed that the film is charming. Unlike any version I've seen so far, this series took its time in order to "flesh out" the character of Emma and let you see her strengths and weaknesses. It began in Emma's infancy and allowed the viewer to see her as a child, a teen, and then as the 21 year old we meet in the novel. At first I found this slow going, but I came to appreciate all the explication as it shed light on the character. Emma's sheltered life due to her father's overprotection was highlighted here whereas it is usually somewhat glossed over or ignored. I was leery of Jonny Lee Miller as Knightly, one of Austen's best leading men, in my opinion. I felt he might lack the physical presence Knightly needed to be the imposing figure he can be at times. But Miller won both me and my husband over as somewhere in the first episode, we looked at each other and said , "I like this guy." He perfectly expressed Knightly's strength, goodness, intelligence, and humor while still seeming entirely human. As the series draws to a close, we are shown both Knightly and Emma struggling with realizations about their own lives, and the result was realistic and quite lovely. I would recommend this dvd to the Austen collector, period romance fan, or anyone who'd like to see a gorgeously filmed romantic tale with a satisfying ending and rich characterizations.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 84
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