Jane Eyre Movie Review 1996

Zeffirelli creates an eloquent yet spare interpretation of Charlotte Bronte's 1847 masterpiece, about a meek governess and her mysterious employer, in its fourth film incarnation. Everything about it, from the lighting to the score, is muted and somber. Still a beautiful film, it seems to lack a certain passion that earlier versions (especially the 1944 classic) brought to the screen. Strong performances all around, including Oscar-winner Paquin and French star Gainsbourg as the younger and older Jane, and Hurt as the tormented Rochester.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS
Running time 116 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Romantic Drama, Adoption & Orphans, Period Piece: 19th Century, Nannies & Governesses, Great Britain, Books to Film: The Brontes

Screenplay

Franco Zeffirelli, Hugh Whitemore

Cast

William Hurt, Anna Paquin, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Joan Plowright, Elle Macpherson, Geraldine Chaplin, Fiona Shaw, John Wood, Amanda Root, Maria Schneider, Josephine Serre, Billie Whitelaw

Cinematography

David Watkin

Director

Franco Zeffirelli

Music

Alessio Vlad, Claudio Capponi

Producer

Dyson Lovell, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Rochester Films, Miramax