Jane Eyre Poster-Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Judi Dench
I had fairly high hopes for this new Jane Eyre film from what I had already read online, but I must say it was still a lovely surprise. I took The Squire out for his birthday for dinner and a movie. He knew I really wanted to see this one, even though it was his birthday, so we drove into Toronto to see it (about 80 miles). Although I'm sure anyone in England would think we were mad to travel that far for a film, it was well worth it!
Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre
First of all, the theatre we saw it in had what is called UltraAVX. This apparently stands for ultra audio visual experience. Large screen, digital picture, surround sound, comfy rocker seats and reserved seating. What a way to see a film like this. Try to see this film in a movie theatre, even if it isn't UltraAVX, as the feeling of really being in Victorian England has never struck me as it did with Jane Eyre. It just won't be the same at home on a DVD, although it will still be amazing.
Michael Fassbender as Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester
This film adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel obviously had to be uber condensed, as it is only 115 minutes long. It rarely feels rushed, however. It opens with Jane running away from Thornfield (sort of the middle of the story), runs until the Rivers family have nursed her back to health and then flashes back to her childhood with the loathsome Reed family. It continues to the dank Lowood School and follows her to Thornfield Hall and her Mr. Rochester (and then back to the Rivers' and beyond). So it rather goes middle-beginning-middle-end, and this works really well to get you involved in the story quickly. I was blinking back tears within minutes of the film starting, which is usually an end-of-film kind of thing. Actually, I was alternately crying and laughing (yes there are a few wonderful funny bits) through the whole film.
Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax and Mia Wasikowska as Jane
The photography of Haddon Hall and the moors is breathtaking and really makes this an emotional film. I would have to say that the visuals and the emotion or "heart" in this version are what really struck me. There is wonderful acting in all the parts, including the most heart-breaking Helen and young Jane pair, and the best Adelle ever (constantly chattering in perfect French). The only real Yorkshire accents unfortunately were on the amazing little girls playing Helen and young Jane, which rather underscored for me how in and out the adult actors were with theirs. Sorry, but I notice these things. Kudos also to Judi Dench who is perfection as Mrs. Fairfax and Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot all grown up with whiskers) is very compelling as Jane's "other man", St. John (Sinjun).
Mr. Rochester and Jane in love...
It was only at the very end that I was pining for Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson. If you grafted on the ending of the 2006 miniseries, and captured a bit of their chemistry too, this version would be hard to beat. But there will never be perfect adaptations of our favourite novels, will there? Lots to love in this one, so enjoy. And I think one of the best compliments I could give this film is that it makes me really want to reread the novel. And isn't that really what it's all about?
I am feeling rather naughty today, so I am going to add this hilarious "fake" commercial which was uploaded onto Youtube a while ago. It is hilarious but it is rather loud, so turn the sound down if you're not alone!
Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska from Jane Eyre at Haddon Hall aka Thornfield Hall
In the summer of 2009, I was lucky enough to go to the Peak District in Derbyshire for a few days, part of a longer tour of Scotland and Northern England. My husband (The Squire) and I stayed in darling Bakewell for a few nights and thankfully The Squire was driving, as this is not a part of England well served by trains. Haddon Hall and Chatsworth were only a hop skip and a jump away from the centre of Bakewell. These are the photos from our afternoon at Haddon Hall. We had been at Chatsworth all morning, and ended up going back in the late afternoon after we were finished seeing Haddon Hall. There is much more to see at Chatsworth, especially outdoors, so it was a great way of breaking up the day. Haddon Hall was a much less crowded spot to have lunch too, and it is only a few minutes drive away as I recall.
Note that these photos are in gorgeous HD if you click on them twice to expand them. My talented photographer will make you feel as if you are right there!
Haddon Hall (Thornfield Hall) near Bakewell, Derbyshire from the approach
The restaurant at Haddon Hall is in the 17th century stable block, with topiary out front!
Main entrance to Haddon Hall under the North West Tower
Lower Courtyard at Haddon Hall just before a rain shower!
The Chapel at Haddon Hall dates from the 15th Century
The wonky windows at Haddon Hall really do undulate. It's not an illusion!
A little sitting area jutting out from the Long Gallery of Haddon Hall. Note the light grayish wood paneling. You'll see a lot of that in Jane Eyre.
This is the outside of the sitting area of the Long Gallery from the photo above. It overlooks the gardens of Haddon Hall.
Haddon Hall's gorgeous gardens dating from the Elizabethan era.
Note the large stone ball finials capping the newel posts at Haddon Hall. You will see these in the film!
Sorry that I am in this photo, but the flowers were just so gorgeous!
We had lunch in the adorable restaurant which is at the foot of the stairs at the main entrance (below the imposing North-West Tower). There was a little rain shower while we were inside the building, which worked out perfectly. It had just stopped by the time we popped out into the gardens after the tour of the public part of the house. Lord and Lady Manners actually live in the house, so it is not entirely open to visitors. I will be interested to see the parts of the house which are in the film, but which we were unable to view. I wish I had a better photo of the Long Gallery and one of the Banqueting Hall, but if you go on the website for Haddon Hall, they have a lovely 360 degree virtual tour. The history of this house is very interesting. Here is the description from the Haddon Hall website:
"Haddon Hall is probably the finest example of a fortified medieval manor house in existence. Present-day Haddon Hall dates from the 12th Century to the early 17th Century, whereupon it lay dormant for over two hundred years from 1700 until the 1920s, when the 9th Duke and Duchess of Rutland restored the house and gardens, and once again made it habitable.
Avoiding fire; warfare; family misfortune and changing fashions, little has changed over the recent centuries and Haddon provides a unique view of early English life and history."
I'll conclude with an aerial shot of the grounds of Haddon Hall, also from their website.
Haddon Hall Derbyshire, aerial view
I'd love to go back there someday soon. The entire Peak District was gorgeous. Now I know why Lizzy Bennet was quite content with this county after all, although the Lakes District is gorgeous too. I'll save that one for another post!
