Persuasion | 
| Director: Roger Michell
Actors: Amanda Root, Ciaran Hinds, Susan Fleetwood, Corin Redgrave, Fiona Shaw
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.94
Buy Used: $6.85
You Save: $8.09 (54%)
New (53) Used (21) from $6.85
Rating:  436 reviews
Sales Rank: 453
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 107 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 03952
ISBN: 0767836634
UPC: 043396039520
EAN: 9780767836630
ASIN: B00003JRCQ
Theatrical Release Date: September 27, 1995
Release Date: February 1, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
Movie adaptations of Jane Austen's classic novels were all the rage (relatively speaking) in the mid-1990s. Clueless updated Austen's Emma, which was more conventionally adapted in another version (Emma) starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Emma was produced yet again, this time for British television, as were a celebrated miniseries of Pride and Prejudice and this splendid film of Austen's Persuasion. Persuasion is the story of a love that survives eight years of dormancy and the frustrating obstacles of class prejudice in 19th century England. Anne (Amanda Root) is captivated when she meets the dignified naval officer Capt. Wentworth (Ciaran Hinds), but she is advised to discourage his romantic overtures because he has no fortune. They meet again eight years later, but now Capt. Wentworth has become wealthy while Anne's father is in reduced circumstances in the wake of reckless extravagance. A series of circumstances ensue which prevent Anne and Wentworth from expressing their mutual and inevitable love. The film's success depends entirely on the subtle, superb performances of Root and Hinds. The film builds slowly, occasionally leaving you wondering if anything at all is going to happen. When it does, you realize how carefully crafted a film this is, and the final result is grandly rewarding. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
A young couple's stormy romance scandalizes English society in this acclaimed adaptation of Jane Austen's classic love story. Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds of the Royal Shakespeare Company are the star-crossed lovers, Anne and Wentworth, whose passion is thwarted by a scheming socialite. Eight yearslater, when Anne is considered an old maid and her once-rich family is on the verge of bankruptcy, Wentworth returns. Will their second chance at love be ruined by the social conventions that destroyed it once? Or will the heart be persuaded by rules of its own? Adding flirtatious fun to Austen's irresistible romance, PERSUASION takes your breathe away! A dazzling five-star feast.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 431 more reviews...
 Worthwhile, definitely June 21, 2009
M. Lichlyter (Colorado Springs, CO USA)
There are over 400 Amazon reviews for this movie! More than 400 people have had opinions to express, which should make anyone interested in seeing it for that reason alone. I'll put my two cents' worth in as well.
As with any production of an Austen (or any other) book, a film is a re-telling. The same story (presumably) is being told by a different storyteller. That automatically makes for some differences.
That being said, I truly enjoy this movie. I love the book, and this production is true to the original story in most respects - something important to me. The cinematography is excellent; it would be a joy to look at even if one did not care for anything else. I really enjoy the score as well.
The acting is quite good. Many writers have commented on the characterizations; some of them are not what I would have preferred, but none are too far afield from the author's descriptions (for example, Elizabeth is described by the author as "repulsive," although I might not have built a characterization solely on that word). The intent of the production was obviously that the actors should not be "pretty" but as much like "real folks" as possible, for better or for worse. That, too, is all right, although one may not like it as much seeing them larger than life.
To me, the major flaw in this retelling is where it deviates from the original. Perhaps for reasons of uncomplicating the story (and/or for time considerations), the character of Mrs. Smith was changed from a desperate woman misused by Mr. Elliot to a mere featherbrained, gossipy friend; the plot line was changed so that Mr. Elliot now wants to marry Anne for her money. This simply does not make sense; Mr. Elliot would not have wanted Anne for her money because he knew her father had spent practically all of it already. The writers dropped the ball with a thud in this respect, and it's difficult for such a gaffe to be overlooked or excused by anyone familiar with the book.
But would I recommend this film? Yes. Those who are put off by early-19th-century English - who can't plow through all the now-strange words and idioms - get their best introduction to Jane Austen's works through quality productions such as this one. If you've never read "Persuasion," give it a try after seeing this.
 2nd to Pride and Prejudice! June 10, 2009
Teese (New Jersey)
Persuasion is one of my favorite Jane Austen stories. I loved this movie. I thought it was done very well. The expressions on Anne's face when she meets Frederick again is just heartbreaking! Loved the chemistry between Ciran Hinds and Amanda Root is just wonderful. They both made you feel the love they have for each other. If you are ever wondering which version of Persuasion to get this is it. The newer one fails in comparison and the older ones just seem dated. Yes I must say this is one of my all time favorites. It's 2nd only to Pride and Prejuice!
Persuasion DVD June 8, 2009
Harry K. Poling
I received this product almost the next day. We watched it that evening and really enjoyed it. I am very satisfied.
Perfect!!! June 8, 2009
M. Wallin (Casa Grande, AZ)
I had just got through reading the book for a second time and really wanted to see an adaptation of the film. I went off the previous customer reviews and I am so glad I did. It is an excellent adaptation. I highly recommend it for any of those die hard Jane Austen fans out there....
Persuation June 6, 2009
M. Colley
For those who enjoy Jane Austen, this is not one of her best stories; however, the video is well done and I wanted it for my DVD collection.
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