Name: Book vs. Movie: Jane Eyre Film & TV Adaptations (1943, 1983, 1996, 2006, 2011)
Uploaded: 2020-04-08T15:24:27.000Z
Duration: 9 min 15 s
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The publication of Jane Eyre in 1847 heralded a new direction in prose fiction

wrote under a pseudonym to explore  the issues of class and status

Told through a first-person narrative, her novel was an immediate success.

The many attempts to bring Jane Eyre to life through film,

television, and stage adaptations reflect the ongoing relevance of the novel.

Since 1910, there has been at least one screen adaptation per decade

but today, we'll take a look at just five popular adaptations of Jane Eyre.

"Do you think because I'm poor and obscure and plain,

I have as much soul as you and fully as much heart.

And if God had gifted me with wealth and beauty,

I should have made it as hard for you to leave me,

this film adaptation enhanced  the novel's Gothic elements,

emphasizing the shadowy darkness  of Lowood and Thornfield

Despite having been shot entirely in a studio,

the film was noteworthy for  its atmospheric depiction of the moors.

Based on a radio adaptation of the novel,

the film focused on the romantic high points of the book

and less on Jane's developing sense of self.

Major episodes from her early life were drastically diminished.

and her attaining financial independence  were omitted entirely.

The character of St. John becomes Doctor Rivers,

a kindly physician who looks out for Jane.

"Dreaming again, Jane?" "Oh, Dr. Rivers!"

"I know somebody's going to be late for inspection."

The last quarter of the book is reduced into Jane's reconciliation

with her dying aunt, and of course,  the final scene with Rochester.

Orson Welles not only helped  produce the film,

but also starred as the tortured Byronic hero.

The expository intertitles create the appearance of being true to the novel's text,

but were in actuality, written exclusively for the film.

The 1943 film would set a pattern for future adaptations

as to which elements of Brontë's novel would be highlighted or excluded.

This version of Jane Eyre remains one of the most iconic Gothic romances

as told in the classic melodramatic style.

"Do you think because I'm poor, obscure, plain, and little, I'm soulless and heartless?

I have as much soul as you and full as much heart

and if God had blessed me with some beauty and much wealth,

I would have made it as hard for you to leave me now as it is for me to leave you."

Several adaptations of Jane Eyre have been  produced for television,

with the BBC's 1983 miniseries being among the more faithful renditions of the novel.

We see key moments that are often left out  in other adaptations,

like Rochester masquerading as an old gypsy woman.

Jane Eyre was one of the first novels of  the Victorian era that illustrated

what it felt like to be a child, as seen from a first-person perspective.

With the series, we get a fuller picture  of Jane's time at Lowood

There are only a few points at which the adaptation veers away from the source material.

The 1983 series preserves Brontë's original text and most of the dialogue.

Because of its five-and-a-half hour running time,

there was also ample opportunity to explore Jane's experiences after leaving Thornfield

and to further develop Jane and Rochester's slow-burning relationship.

"I may be poor and plain, but I'm not without feelings.

It's not the house but the life I lived here.

I was not trampled on, I was not excluded.

The 1996 feature film adaptation is initially characterized by a sense of misery

as it emphasizes Jane's harsh childhood years.

Although conditions at the school do improve in the novel,

the film hones in on the scenes of physical and psychological suffering.

In this version, Jane feels guilty for leaving Miss Temple at Lowood,

which is completely different than what happens in the book.

"But I believe it is God's will that I'm here.

Director Franco Zeffirelli, known for his adaptation of Romeo and Juliet,

endeavored to capture Jane and Rochester's emotional complexity.

The movie does rush through some of the primary segments of Jane's life

that don't involve Rochester,  particularly toward the end of the film.

"Haunted by old memories, I made my way back to Gateshead Hall,

and to the home of the parson, Mr. Rivers, who had once been kind to me."

Because Jane meets her cousin earlier in the film,

but instead simply takes the carriage to the parsonage to recover.

The filmmakers strive to balance fidelity to the novel with audience expectations.

This adaptation opted for a more austere treatment  of the narrative

coupled with vibrant and scenic surroundings.

"Do you think because I'm poor, plain, obscure, and little,

I have as much heart as you, and as much soul.

And if God had given me some beauty and wealth,

I would make it as hard for you to leave me  as it is now for me to leave you.

This four-part BBC miniseries adds a modern touch to the classic

combined with detailed costumes and evocative performances.

The series opens by providing a glimpse into  young Jane's world,

but devotes less time overall to her childhood.

It condenses the years spent at Gateshead and Lowood

Several characters and episodes are left out completely.

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Book vs. Movie: Jane Eyre Film & TV Adaptations (1943, 1983, 1996, 2006, 2011)

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