It is difficult for any true fan of a classic novel to love a movie version which truncates and/or reimagines the events of the story. But it can be done. "Anne of Green Gables" is one good example, as is the new Disney version of "Prince Caspian" (for me, anyway). This movie version of "Jane Eyre," however, is not one of those remarkable films. As per most adaptations of the novel they chose to focus on the love story and left out the rest of Jane's adventures. I understand this was necessary in order to keep the film to regular feature length. But since the love story was the main focus you would think they would work hard to make it truly believable. Unfortunately it came off as completely incomprehensible. The problem? The flat performance of the actress playing Jane. No, she's not supposed to be pretty, and yes, she's supposed to be demure and quiet. But lifeless? Hardly. What makes Jane Eyre a beloved heroine of classic literature is her lively mind and how she unapologetically reveals it to those who take the time to look beyond her calm and proper exterior. The moments in the book where Mr. Rochester catches glimpses of the true Jane are what make their love story believable. This movie skips most of those moments, and when they do briefly show one, the scene is rendered ineffective by the flat, lifeless delivery of the actress. There is no spark of vivacity in her eyes, no indication that her words emanate from a deep well of emotion and intellect. Why would the Mr. Rochester of the movie have even the remotest interest in this Jane? I give the filmmakers props for taking on such a project and hoping to interest a new generation in this great story. But their rendering of "Jane Eyre" didn't even make an entertaining film in its own right, much less hint at the thrill of reading the full novel.

My most favorite of all movies. Something about it tugs at my heartstrings. I watch it over and over again!

I absolutely hated this movie! It was wierd and just plain disturbing! The leading man was horribly ugly! And so was the lady who played Jane Eyre! It was exactly like the book, to the word! But, the book was terrible, so that should explain this movie well... I would NOT watch it again, and NOT reccomend it to a friend!

I've watched different versions of Jane Eyre and this is by far the worst adaptation of Jane Eyre ever. The screenwriters butchered the whole story and to make matters even worse, the actors were dull and lifeless. There was no passion at all between Rochester and Jane in this version and it seems like Rochester married Jane only because he has nothing better to do with his time. At least that's how it seems like in this adaptation. I don't think they were even interested or attracted to each other in this movie. Why bother making this movie at all I can never comprehend. But I'd recommend the stephens/wilson (Masterpiece 2006) version or even the hinds/morton (1997) version.

I had the great good fortune of watching Toby Stephen's Jane Eyre first. Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre, 2006) And his Jane Eyre blows this one way way way out of the water. I decided to give this one a chance thinking it wouldn't be as good but might be okay. No way was it even close to okay. I really feel that Jane Eyre has been his finest work. This is where I first knew of him, and because I loved this movie I've sought out other works of his. But none match his stellar performance in Jane Eyre. Unless there is something I haven't seen yet.

Anyway, this one is much shorter than his so perhaps this accounts for its poor character development and shallowness and my boredom? I might have been alright with it otherwise. (wouldn't have liked it but wouldn't have hated it either)
But after good-expensive-cooked-just-right-tender steak, I did not want bad-cheap-poorly-cooked-fastfood hamburger. Two extremes with this meat; And two extremes with these movies!
The Great & The Awful? or The Awful & The Great?