Regency movies

[darcy]

Although in most cases I prefer the book over the movie, there have been many good movie adaptations set in the regency period. Jane Eyre from 1994 with Orson Welles as Rochester and Joan Fontaine as Jane is a favorite. Do you have a favorite regency movie?

[hopeless]

Although Jane Eyre could be considered in the regency period (according to historians who like to group history into its respective ages), it is usually associated with the early Victorian period. The only regencies I know of that have been turned into movies or TV adaptations are Jane Austen's works. It seems there has been a lot of interest in her novels recently and movie execs like to cash in on this. There have been several "Pride and Prejudice" movies, and my favorite would be the BBC version starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, which is available on VHS or DVD. Of course, the one that probably got the most attention was "Emma" with Gwynneth Paltrow. I did not care for that, but then again, perhaps it was because "Emma" was not my favorite novel, and I did not care for Gwynneth Paltrow.

[goggles]

Many of Bernard Cornwell's historical novels featuring Richard Sharpe have been turned in to movies. Set in the first half of the 1800s at the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Not technicaly romances, nonetheless good regency-era movies.

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(02-21-2009 10:23 AM)darcy Wrote:  ... Jane Eyre from 1994 with Orson Welles as Rochester and Joan Fontaine ...

My favourite version too! I think it's a typo and you mean 1944.

[RegLit]

Of course, there's "The Scarlet Pimpernel" with Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon from the 1930s. Wonderful adaptation even though the ending is not exactly taken from the book.

[Kathryn Kane]

There were several movies based on Barbara Cartland's novels which were made into movies in the 1980s and 1990s. Produced by Sir Lew Grade, they were stylish, with lovely sets and costumes and a number of well-known actors in leading roles.

They are more readily available in England than the US now and most of the DVD versions only play in Region 2, plus they are PAL rather than NTSC. But for those that are determined, such obstacles can be overcome.

There are at least five Cartland movies I can remember:

Regencies

• A Hazard of Hearts
• Duel of Hearts
  

Victorians

• The Flame is Love
• A Ghost in Monte Carlo
  

And a lone Restoration, The Lady and the Highwayman.

These were all some of her better novels, and with actors like Diana Rigg, Stewart Granger, Christopher Plummer, Timothy Dalton and Sara Miles in the cast, they have some spark. Worth watching for on the late show. In the US they sometimes air on TBS or TNT.

[jeanlerymc]

Before, I also prefer reading a story rather than watching a movie. However, it is more realistic to watch a movie in which you can totally relate to the story. There are really adopted movies in some novels and books during the regency period, but I haven't decided yet my favorite regency movie.