Plot Details: This opinion reveals everything about the movie's plot.

I love a good romance. One with some heart and hey, if it's got some good acting and lovely folks to look at, I get even more interested. This adaptation of Jane Eyre is one of the best offerings to date. From Charlotte Bronte's novel, it stars Timothy Dalton and Zelah Clarke, and as with most BBC productions, a little bit goes a long way.

In fact, this novel took and created a cliche: poor governess meets rich handsome man with a tragic secret and after much tribulations, true love reigns. Romance writers have been mining this particular ground for decades, and the story still sells. Check this one out for the story that helped to create a genre.

The really good points: This is the most faithful version that I've seen yet. Most film versions either skip over or give very little attention to the heroine's upbringing. Suffice it to say, she grows up in conditions of neglect (both physical and emotional) that would harden and scar anyone - but in the case of Jane, give her the strength and fortitude to face the world with grace and humility. Along with a backbone of steel.

She's gonna need those traits.

Seeking to leave her job as a teacher in a school, Jane travels to isolated and grand, Thornfield Hall, to teach the ward of a mysterious gentleman. This gentleman of course, is Edward Rochester, wealthy - and in this version - rather well set up in the looks and charm department. And with stories of this flavor, he has a few secrets to hide.

Engaged to the Honorable Miss Ingram, Rochester is as far away from Jane as the stars, but despite their wealth and class differences, we see a definite spark between the pair, as is quite evident by their verbal sparring. Rochester in this one also has a sly and devastating wit, which he uses to tease Jane mercilessly. Eventually, the time comes when both admit their feelings to one another and for Jane, a future bright with love, marriage and security opens up for her.

But then, with the arrival of a stranger on her wedding day, Jane's dreams are shattered, and the world does indeed become a very bleak place …

Does Jane get her Rochester? Watch the tape and see. It's too good to pass up. This is quite possibly the most complete adaptation of the book, showing Jane's childhood as well as her life and romance with Rochester, and what happens after that fateful wedding day. It is also fairly accurate in the morals and world vision of the Victorians at that time, with treatment of children in what we would call today terrible physical and emotional abuse, but was actually condoned back then. You also see what differences class and wealth created.

The cast is also outstanding, and Timothy Dalton (Mr. Bond no. 4) plays Rochester passionately - watch for some great scenery chewing involving a staircase - and with sly wit and plenty of charm. In only one scene does he fall flat, and it's not really his fault, rather that the screenwriter really should have dumped the unfortunate line, and substituted something else. And whoever thought of casting Zelah Clarke as Jane Eyre was brilliant. She is perfect casting for the part, able to say a great deal with only a look from those big eyes, but never wimpy or saccharine as the case with so many heroines.

Great cast, costumes, sets (filmed on location), and a pretty good adaptation of one of literature's classics. Nothing out of line for children, and great for the over 12 crowd; comes on two VHS tapes, not yet available on DVD. Don't miss it!


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older