Jane Eyre (1970/British Telefilm/VCI DVD)
Picture: C
Sound: C Extras: D Telefilm: C
Looking at our fourth (hmmmmmm) adaptation of Charlotte
Bronte’s Jane Eyre on DVD, we get to
look at the 1970 British TV movie version that has a great cast, but is to
short for its own good and does not work as much as it should. For those unfamiliar with the story, here are
the links to the previous versions covered:
1973 Mini-Series (Acorn DVD)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3844/Jane+Eyre+(1973/BBC/Acorn
2006 Mini-Series/1944
Fox feature film
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5374/Jane+Eyre+(2006/WGBH/BBC+++1944
So why does this one not work despite having George C.
Scott as Rochester
and Susannah York in the title role, directed by Delbert Mann (Marty)?
Because it makes that bad assumption that the viewers have read the book
and somehow, 108 minutes goes by before you realize it is over and you wonder
if the time was spent as well as it could be.
It was filmed in England,
so that part is not a problem, but Writer Jack Pullman makes too many choices
that do not work.
As for the cast, you get Ian Bannen (The Offence), Nyree Dawn Porter (The Protectors), Jack Hawkins (Lawrence
Of Arabia), Kenneth Griffith (The
Prisoner), Jean Marsh (Frenzy),
Clive Morton (The Corridor People)
and Jeremy Child (Quadrophenia), so
that is more than enough
The 1.33 X 1 image was shot on 35mm film, but an older
analog master has been used and it looks dull and flat throughout with poor
color and the print is in good shape at best, while the Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
is also a few generations down, making this a trying viewing. There are also no extras.
- Nicholas Sheffo
