Romance movies reviews: The Romance Collection: Special Edition (Pride and Prejudice / Emma / Jane Eyre / Ivanhoe / Tom Jones / The Scarlet Pimpernel / Lorna Doone / Victoria and Albert)

The Romance Collection: Special Edition (Pride and Prejudice / Emma / Jane Eyre / Ivanhoe / Tom Jones / The Scarlet Pimpernel / Lorna Doone / Victoria and Albert) Review

The Romance Collection: Special Edition (Pride and Prejudice / Emma / Jane Eyre / Ivanhoe / Tom Jones / The Scarlet Pimpernel / Lorna Doone / Victoria and Albert) Overview

The best-selling Romance Collection has been refreshed with new sleek packaging and a new low SRP.

THE ROMANCE COLLECTION brings together eight perennial favorites in an extraordinary DVD set sure to delight all fans of sophisticated entertainment. Like no other films ever made, these lavish realizations capture every nuance of the celebrated stories that have enthralled generations of readers.
Titles included in this collection are:
PRIDE & PREJUDICE: THE SPECIAL EDITION (2 discs), EMMA, JANE EYRE, LORNA DOONE, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (3 discs), VICTORIA & ALBERT (2 discs), TOM JONES (2 discs), IVANHOE (2 discs)

The Romance Collection: Special Edition (Pride and Prejudice / Emma / Jane Eyre / Ivanhoe / Tom Jones / The Scarlet Pimpernel / Lorna Doone / Victoria and Albert) Specifications

The Romance Collection consists of eight literary classics on film: Pride and Prejudice (1995), Emma (1996), Jane Eyre (1997), Lorna Doone (2000), The Scarlet Pimpernel (1999), Victoria & Albert (2001), The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, and Ivanhoe (1997).

Jane Austen's classic novel of 1813, Pride and Prejudice, still wins the hearts of countless schoolgirls with its romantic story of Elizabeth Bennet and her Mr. Darcy. Now, the 1996 BBC miniseries is winning over adults, with its faithful adaptation, gorgeous scenery, and superb acting. The essence of the story is the antagonism between Mr. Darcy, a wealthy single man who believes Elizabeth to be beneath him, and Elizabeth, who upon being insulted at a dance by the aloof Darcy refuses to associate with him in any manner. Austen evokes incredible tension with the wit and flirtation of the two characters, and director Simon Langton (who also directed Upstairs Downstairs) successfully translates the repartee and conflict in this six-hour miniseries. Dialogue, for the most part, is painstakingly replicated, except when fleshing out and smoothing for modern sensibilities was necessary. Darcy, for instance, is drawn out, giving his personality significantly more depth. The acting sweeps you away to Regency England: Jennifer Ehle (of Wilde) is convincing as the obstinate Elizabeth, who, despite her mother's attempts to marry her off, spurs the attentions of Darcy. And Colin Firth (of The English Patient) will have women everywhere longing for a Mr. Darcy of their own. For those who enjoy excellent Austen adaptations such as Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion--this miniseries will round out the ultimate Austen library. For those new to these romantic period pieces, this version of Pride and Prejudice will have you hooked and longing for more. One caveat, however: plan to watch it in an entire day, because very few have the self-control to not watch all six hours in a single sitting. --Jenny Brown

Stills from Pride and Prejudice (click for larger image)