User reviews

This is a really disappointing version of a clever book, with inappropriate characterisations and appalling acting from its lead actress. As Fanny Price, Billie Piper is just wrong in every respect - too modern, too flirtatious, and too aware of her station.

However there are some compensations, even if the characters are portrayed with little reference to the original book - Douglas Hodge, Jemma Redgrave, and Maggie O'Neill are pretty good, while Blake Ritson has a decent stab at the role of Edmund.

It just doesn't feel right or have the correct sense of period. It's a bit without character, and a missed opportunity.

This seems like a film made with Jane Austen kind of elements but doesn't relate at all to the 'Mansfield Park' novel that Jane Austen wrote. It has no idea what the novel is about and I think that if you are adapting a book for the screen that it should be at least faithful to the spirit of the book. And that certainly means not casting Billie Piper as Fanny Price. Whoever thought of that one deserves a raspberry. I'm sure I was laughing in the wrong places.

I watched it expecting it to get better but sank lower and lower in my seat. One of Austen's more profound novels had been turned into flavourless and unrewarding entertainment (if that is even the word). TV and film producers for ages have been underestimating the general audience and this Austen travesty is another slap in the face. It is a great shame that the quality of British television plummets year after year.

This is the worst adaptation of 'Mansfield Park' I have ever seen, even worse than the 1999 film version. I struggle to see how it could even be described as an 'adaptation', being only very (and I mean very) loosely based on Jane Austen's plot and characters. At best, this is 'inspired' by the story of 'Mansfield Park' and I'm sorry to say that it's barely recognisable to the original.

I like Billie Piper. I enjoyed her in 'Doctor Who' and do think she is an aspiring actress. However, I'm sorry to say that she is completely miscast as the lead in this, and when I first heard that she would be playing Fanny Price I thought it was a joke. What were the writers thinking? Billie is the polar opposite to her character, both in looks and sensibility. One reason why this novel is so difficult to adapt for a 21st century audience is that the character of the heroine is, by modern standards, incredibly dull. She's a product of the time in which she was written and is meant to be humble, pious, respectful and not in the least bit outspoken or inappropriate. Many modern adaptations feel the need to shake up the story and make Fanny Price more like Elizabeth Bennet which is exactly what they've done here. The writers have also completely disregarded issues of 18th century etiquette and fashion - Billie as Fanny runs around permanently bareheaded (which simply wouldn't have happened then, Fanny would have worn a bonnet in public) and with her hair all loose and flowing (which looks pretty but still wouldn't have happened in the 18th century - it would have been tied up and styled in some way).

But essentially it's the plot that I objected to - where was it? Nothing happened. Also, I'm guessing this must have been a budget adaptation as they could clearly only afford to buy one set. Every happened either in the sitting room or the garden. The ball that is thrown in Fanny's honour in the book is here transformed into a summer picnic on the lawn. In addition, a key event in the story involves Fanny going back to Portsmouth to visit her parents, something that makes her realise that perhaps life at Mansfield Park is not so bad in comparison with where she would have otherwise grown up, and that helps her to discover a sense of her own identity. In this adaptation, Fanny is simply left home alone at Mansfield while the rest of the family go off somewhere, which merely results in her feeling (shock horror) lonely and rejected – and viewers like me suspecting that the producers didn't have much money. What was the point of that? Bravo Blake Ritson. You were the best thing in this and were the only one who bared a passing resemblance to the character you were playing. Other than that, it looks pretty, Billie Piper puts in a spirited performance and it's not unlike 'Cinderella' in many ways. Kids and young teenagers would probably love it, but anyone aged about 15 and over, with even a slight acquaintance with Jane Austen's work would do well to avoid.

5/10.

Well, this latest version of Mansfield Park seemed to try and take the edginess of the 1999 theatrical version (outright copied some of the ideas from it in fact), but tone things down a bit to bring it more in line with the original story. Unfortunately, the result is a rather lackluster, and schizophrenic, production. And, as with all the other versions of Mansfield Park out there, the character of Fanny Price is no where to be found. Instead there is a strangely child-like, bleached-blond woman running around who never really fully develops as a character. At least in the 1999 movie the character they call "Fanny Price" is firmly established as rebellious tomboy who is too clever for her own good. This "Fanny Price" is a complete enigma. Someday, I would really like to see a dramatization of Mansfield Park that actually includes a depiction of the character of Fanny as she was written by Jane Austen. A sweet, kind, compassionate girl with a timid personality and frail constitution. She is reserved in manner and painfully honest, but also strong in her convictions, unfailingly loyal, extremely intelligent, and remarkably astute. A bit of a late bloomer, it is not until her eighteenth year that she finally begins to make the transition from awkward adolescent to self-possessed young woman. And she wants nothing more in life than to be of some real use to those she loves most. It's a wonderfully complex character that I look forward to one day seeing faithfully portrayed.

I really have little time for people who adopt an almost pious outrage when a film doesn't match their vision of a book. Even Lord of the Rings had to depart from the story on a number of occasions for the sake of making a coherent movie. One reviewer used the term "book-to-film-nazis", and while this may be a little harsh, I think it manages to convey the meaning succinctly. Undoubtedly, this version of the tale was not close to a faithful adaptation of Mansfield park, but it is a very entertaining hour and a half for those of a more open disposition. I also think the opprobrium heaped on Billie Piper was completely unfair: the reviewers seemed to blame her for the fact that she was not like the Fanny of the novel. Having seen her in many productions, I think Billie is a fine actress, and she delivered precisely what was asked of her for this version of Mansfield park. Her performance, and that of Blake Ritson made this a real feel-good movie: and yes, I have read and enjoyed the book.

I doubt whoever wrote this screenplay has ever actually read Mansfield Park...or if they have it was not very well. None of the characters are what they should be: Fanny is lively and conscious of her mistreatment, while Sir Thomas, who treated her very well, seems to have accidentally fallen into Aunt Norris' personality. Additionally, a first person narrative by Fanny is highly inappropriate to both the story and her character. Fanny is not an entertaining heroine, and I would contend that she is not meant to be. Additionally, in the movie version, Fanny flirts shamelessly with Edmund from the very beginning, when they have been raised as brother and sister! Austen's Fanny would have shrank from flirtation of any sort, and the novel paints the Fanny/Edmund pairing as highly uncomfortable...as it should be. Unlike some other Jane Austen novels (P&P, Emma), Mansfield Park does not rest on the strength of its female protagonist. It is a very different sort of novel than the others; it is not meant to be a love story. I watched this movie because I have just now finished reading Mansfield Park, and I am absolutely horrified by what I see; Miss Austen is rolling in her grave.

I had already read some of the reviews here when I started watching this latest version of Jane Austen's novel, and I kind of expected the worst. But it wasn't quite so. Of course, Billie Piper has nothing to do with acting, singing or whatever kind of art. So I will simply say she has no chemistry with the male lead. Not even her hairstyle fits the epoch! As for Blake Ritson, that's another story. I think he was the only actor who did his job properly. The rest were OK, however... All in all, I rate this with an 8 out of 10 simply for the pure magic that the male lead managed to create. I only wish the producers had more inspiration in choosing the female lead. This version seems ruined because of the terrible miscast!

As a devoted Austen fan, I find this film highly offensive. I have read many of Jane Austen's novels, Mansfield Park being one of them. I enjoyed the depth and character development. However, these elements were annihilated in this "adaptation"- if it even deserves that title. They allow no time to get to know Fanny, and her struggles and feelings. Edmund is not given HALF his moral credit, and his feelings for Miss Crawford are prematurely introduced. On another note, Lady Bertram is far too shrewd. There is never a relationship between her and Fanny, as is portrayed in the book.

Overall, I was greatly disappointed. I realize that not every detail can be incorporated, but I expect key plot points and character aspects to be involved. Do not waste your time on this film, unless you enjoy low quality period dramas.

I hope in the future, that a more worthy production of Mansfield may be created for the enjoyment of TRUE Janeites.

Although I believe that ITV don't make period dramas of the same calibre to the BBC, I was willing to give this adaptation a try. Afterall, it is an Austen novel which is always worthwhile. However I was sorely disappointed in it. From the very opening of the programme to the end, I struggled to stay with it - though I did. The opening has far too many close-ups and shot-reverse-shots to try and establish relationships between people. However it is not at all subtle. Though it is arguable that Mansfield Park is not Austen's best work, it still remained in the realms of greatness, however this adaptation certainly did not. Fanny Price, the main character, was hardly in it, all Billie Piper's lines could have fit onto a single page of A4. There was no conveying to the audience that this was a perceptive and bright girl. She had no charm or wit. All she seemed to do was run! And she runs everywhere!! It is all you see Billie Piper do. I'll just add here that I don't blame Piper for her portrayal of the character, after all the director didn't give her enough to do for me to judge her performance, though I must say she used up a lot of energy in the role.

After reading mixed reviews on this production. I thought I would take a gamble and purchase this. Okay I would not say that this is a 10 star production. The screen play could of been written a little better and filming in one location does restrict the production. However this is a non offensive production unlike the 1999 film where Henry and Maria are in a sex scene. Which is not appropriate for Jane Austen. After viewing this I found myself wanting to read the novel. I enjoyed watching Blake Riston as Edmund Bertram. He does a fine job. The moment when Edmund realizes that he is in love with Fanny was beautifully done and the ending is so romantic. I would recommend this to any Jane Austen fan. However if you are looking for a production that will blow you away this is not one of them. But what it this is is a nice introduction to Jane Austen novel. I would like to see BBC make another Mansfield Park which will give time for story telling. A BBC remake is well over due. Perhaps BBC can improve on their awful 1983 production and like the BBC 1995 P&P make another classic that would make all JA fans fall in love with her novels all over again. At the same time creating a new generation of JA fans. Until then this 2007 version of Mansfield Park will do.

I'm no Jane Austen purist but why make a film like this if you have nothing to say.

Billie Piper was so wrong for the part it is difficult to know where to begin-wrong personality,modern make-up,completely wrong hair (there is no way a young lady of her age would have romped around in public with her hair loose and unbrushed like that),she didn't seem particularly meek nor put-upon by the family and I didn't understand why everyone seemed to think of her as particularly saintly or kind.

The picnic(substituted for the ball) was so low-budget it was embarrassing to watch and missing out the Portsmouth section completely destroyed the point of the piece (as well as losing scenes which could have added a gritty counterpoint to that oh-so-claustrophobic pink sitting room.)

To those responsible:-If you haven't the imagination (even the budget doesn't matter so much as the imagination) to do something meaningful with an adaptation please don't pretend to be producing Jane Austen.

It was about 10% Mansfield Park and 90% nothing much at all

PS Edmund was very good

I never get over how some reviewers simply expect too much from an 84 minute film . Any adaptation of Mansfield Park would certainly benefit from a four part , four hour miniseries ; this rendition cuts out Fanny's return to Portsmouth completely and leaves out a significant minor character , Yates , thereby cutting corners badly on the playful attempt to perform a play at Mansfield Park . So why do I give it a 10 ? The gist of any Austin novel is in the subtleties of the relationships , pure and simple , and this adaptation does a superb job in doing just that ....with the most significant relationships ( again , three or four hours would be needed to do the job adequately ) . Piper plays the mild and reserved Fanny perfectly in the limited time given , in every stage of her relationship with Edmund . BBC did a superb job back in 1998 wit Far From the Madding Crowd , layering in fine detail ( at the expense of cinematography ) the movie versions just couldn't fit in . Mansfield Park deserves the same . However , this low budget gem will be appreciated by anyone with the sense to realize that this is not a miniseries !

Why bother, ITV? Admittedly, Mansfield Park is the most difficult of the novels to "get," and Fanny is certainly the hardest to like, but... If one is going to take it on, then have the courage to risk being true to the book and its rather complicated spirit. And for heaven's sake, have the guts to cast Fanny as she was written: A prissy, good-hearted, sweetish, whiner! Mrs. Norris wasn't nearly as awful as she should have been. And what the heck happened to Portsmouth? The contrast between Fanny's rather dubious family and family home and the splendors of Mansfield is key to, well, so many aspects of Fanny's refusal of Henry, her uncle's rejection, Henry's near transformation to a good person, etc., etc. Again, given the complexity and challenges of the novel, why did they bother? It's beyond me...

The scenery breathtaking, the acting fantastic, the characters well portrayed but with added passion. If anyone has read all of Jane Austens books as i have, I'm sure that you will find that out of all her leading ladies, Fanny Price is the dullest therefore i am glad this production showed a more passionate story and although not a complete portrayal of Fanny Price i thought the story well put together and all together beautiful. I was so enchanted by it that i walked away at the end of the production beaming as i thought it so beautiful.

For a comment on the acting i thought that Billie Piper's Fanny Price was very well done and that Blake Ritson's Edmund Bertram was worth watching if not only but to drool over him.

Enchanting, beautiful and worth watching: this coming from a viewer who is not intellectually-challenged!

I don't think this is a terrible adaptation.

It is basic and shallow but it's not terrible.

I find it to be better and more watchable than the 1999 film.

This adaptation doesn't go deep into character development, but it doesn't alter the plot too much.

The casting is not bad. The acting is OK.

The actors playing the aunt and the parents are too young - too close in age to their on-screen children to be believable.

I also imagined Fanny as a brunette but I suppose that is a personal preference.

I don't believe she would have been loudly running down the stairs - I thought she was way shy and quiet.

Fanny Price (Billie Piper) was sent to live with her aunts in Mansfield Park at the age of 10. Her aunt Mrs. Norris gets tired of her. Her other aunt Lady Bertram and her wealthy husband Sir Thomas Bertram have four children, Tom (James D'Arcy), Edmund (Blake Ritson), Maria (Michelle Ryan), and Julia (Catherine Steadman). All of them treat Fanny as inferior except Edmund. She falls in love with his kindness. Sir Thomas has to attend to business in the West Indies. Tom returns as a degenerate gambler. Edmund is left as the head of the family. Maria is engaged and plans to marry after her father's return. The family is turned upside down with the arrival of their neighbors siblings Mary (Hayley Atwell) and Henry Crawford (Joseph Beattie).

Billie Piper is a very modern personality and doesn't fit the Fanny character. She's itching to break out of her restrained role. The production is strictly TV level. This is a problematic presentation of a classic. These are solid actors but they are wasted. It's been done much better and there is no need for this.