Ann Firbank's Anne is "past her bloom," for sure, by too many years, and there is zero magnetism between her and Bryan Marshall's Frederick, but that's not the actors' fault as much as the casting director's. Firbank lacks the vulnerability and gentleness of Amanda Root's (and author Jane Austen's) Anne in the 1995 version with the incomparable Ciaran Hinds making a very definitive, dignified Frederick.
Zhivila Roche's Louisa Musgrove is far more irritating and immature than she should be, considering she's supposed to evolve quickly as a serious lover of poetry, post-accident; that character development would've been more plausible if Louisa were toned down just a bit pre-accident. No one doubts that people can change after a trauma, but this is way too unbelievable as done in the 1975 version.
Ignoring production values, or excusing them for the technological conditions of the day (which is always a good idea), this version works because it takes the time to tell the story, closer to the book. The omissions made in the 1995 script do damage the logical progression & character motivations. The music is wonderful in the 1995 production, melodious and romantic, yet not overpowering.
Both are fun to watch. I haven't caught the other versions yet, having little hope that they'd be anything like what Jane Austen intended to say. Correct me if I'm wrong!
Zhivila Roche's Louisa Musgrove is far more irritating and immature than she should be, considering she's supposed to evolve quickly as a serious lover of poetry, post-accident; that character development would've been more plausible if Louisa were toned down just a bit pre-accident. No one doubts that people can change after a trauma, but this is way too unbelievable as done in the 1975 version.
Ignoring production values, or excusing them for the technological conditions of the day (which is always a good idea), this version works because it takes the time to tell the story, closer to the book. The omissions made in the 1995 script do damage the logical progression & character motivations. The music is wonderful in the 1995 production, melodious and romantic, yet not overpowering.
Both are fun to watch. I haven't caught the other versions yet, having little hope that they'd be anything like what Jane Austen intended to say. Correct me if I'm wrong!