Jane Austen on Film | James Bowman

James Bowman
Film Critic and Author

Elsa Solender, past president of the Jane Austen Society of North America, has written: “The 1940 Pride and Prejudice, progenitor of sixty years of filmed adaptations of Austen, earned never-ending scorn from some, everlasting affection from others. Its glorious life and afterlife might teach us to moderate the demand for ‘fidelity,’ instead of magic, in movies.” Over the past 30 years especially there has been a flowering of films and TV mini-series based on Austen’s works. This fourth CCA of the 2020-2021 academic year will consider some of these films, as well as Austen’s life and writings.

Hillsdale College is an independent institution of higher learning founded in 1844 by men and women “grateful to God for the inestimable blessings” resulting from civil and religious liberty and “believing that the diffusion of learning is essential to the perpetuity of these blessings.” It pursues the stated object of the founders: “to furnish all persons who wish, irrespective of nation, color, or sex, a literary, scientific, [and] theological education” outstanding among American colleges “and to combine with this such moral and social instruction as will best develop the minds and improve the hearts of its pupils.” As a nonsectarian Christian institution, Hillsdale College maintains “by precept and example” the immemorial teachings and practices of the Christian faith.

The College also considers itself a trustee of our Western philosophical and theological inheritance tracing to Athens and Jerusalem, a heritage finding its clearest expression in the American experiment of self-government under law.

By training the young in the liberal arts, Hillsdale College prepares students to become leaders worthy of that legacy. By encouraging the scholarship of its faculty, it contributes to the preservation of that legacy for future generations. By publicly defending that legacy, it enlists the aid of other friends of free civilization and thus secures the conditions of its own survival and independence.

[petermckerrow]

I would have liked to hear more of the speaker's opinions on the films and TV series than his views of contemporary American politics a subject of mystery for those of us outside the USA. As for the film adaptations, I would recommend Andrew Davies' BBC Pride and Prejudice series and the scene in the garden between Jane and Lady Catherine. I enjoyed the speaker's critiques of the films and TV productions and wished he had provided us more.

[paulatling]

I like Hillsdale college and Jane Austen however the pace of this podcast was too much for me.

[fretnottrustingod]

(Dr?) James Bowman's delivery was so incisive and his comparisons so smoothly detailed that, tho I've only read Jane Austen, I'm inspired to watch the dramas. God bless him and Hillsdale College.

[manners-maketh]

I do enjoy being read a good lecture. Give me John Mullan on Austen any day.

[MarkFrankUK]

Very enjoyable - deeply knowledgeable and astute. Sadly, politicians in all countries, but particularly the USA, not only avoid "I was wrong" moments but think it is a weakness to have them.

A small quibble - I don't think you can argue that Austen was against am drams on the basis of Mansfield Park. Fanny Price does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the author and Jane acted in amateur productions herself both as a child and an adult.

[heatheralice]

I liked the 2020 version of EMMA. Anya Taylor-Joy can't help her facial features. I don't the film as a "parody of the book. "

[ellie]

Wonderful wonderful wonderful

And absolutely on the nose about woke ideology being a religion

[ladyofshalott]

Great depth of insight, keen analysis and charming wit are met in this presentation. A truly excellent lecture!

[mariawinter]

I believe that this is the most corrupt government and businesses that have ever been in our history. But I don't like just knowing the problem I want the solution and I want to know who can implement the solution and what can we do to start that. I'm a problem solver therefore to have this crooked government continue it's in the front to my sensibilities of right and wrong. What's the answer and how can we put it to work?

[poetmaggie]

I think what we call primitive is our human nature, it hasn't evolved in 10, 000 plus years and it isn't going to evolve, we can improve our selves but its an individual effort made possible only because God gave us Free Will and also took on Human Form to offer a perfect gift of sacrifice for Human sin.

[gailpurcell]

Great lecture! I have always thought that Jane Austen argued that a person's moral character is important when considering whether to fall in love and marry with a person. I do, however, disagree over the class system. The American and French Revolutions were being fought during her life-time and there were many comments from her upper-class characters being trapped by what they could or could not do as a profession.

[marycassidy]

as for Emma. i love Kate Beckinsale version. but my favorite mr knightly will always be Jeremy Northan!!!
1999 MP is awful!!!

[TheXetrius]

Maybe a contextual timeline of al the wrong moments would make it right, at least once.

[EmoBearRights]

Sorry not listening anyone who writes for the Epoch Times.

[alittlebitoflight]

For mine, the 1995 adaptation of Persuasion is a glorious thing. I think it improves upon the book - no mean thing.

Now for something truly odd: "The Redgraves were socialist" as a vantage point for viewing the film. Redgrave adds appropriate frivolity to what is after all an audio-visual work. Through the character, the film makers lampoon vanity rather more than class.

Aesthetically, the Ang Lee film brings a too-clean, too-cheerful American-audience-friendly take to the text. I don't mind it, but I'd even prefer the Bronte-esque 2008 version for sheer interest. Hattie Morahan's Elinor is stunning.

[maryhamric]

Wait, he writes a column for the Epoch Times - a complete misinformation far right publication?? Why????