15 Best Jane Eyre Film Adaptations, Ranked

Charlotte Brontë’s most popular work, Jane Eyre, Published in 1847, was adapted many times and in many ways, and the best Jane Eyre Movies feature excellent performances. The novel’s discussion of Christianity, social class, feminism and romance caused ripples when it was published that have continued to this day. Despite taking place in Victorian England, the story of a young woman’s journey to independence and love is timeless and people can still relate to the story.

Unlike Jane Austen Pride & Prejudice Or Emma, Jane Eyre Hasn’t been adapted nearly as many times in movies. It began with stage productions and radio plays before being adapted for the screen. Most of the best Jane Eyre Movies adhere to the story presented in the novel, but there are some very interesting adaptations of the novel that take creative leaps. The greatest strength of the adaptations was in the performances of the actors. Those who play Rochester and Jane must have perfect chemistry, and these adaptations have fantastic performances along with their captivating stories.

15

Jane Eyre (1910)

Starring Irma Taylor & Frank Hall Crane

The 1910 film adaptation of Jane Eyre is supposed to be the first. It was produced less than 70 years after the debut of the novel. The novel made its debut much closer to the age of modern cinema than some fans might think. The silent film is, at least, the first English-language version of the story on screen. This is a relatively straightforward adaptation of the novel with many condensed parts of the plot summarized for the audience according to reviews of the time.

It is also one of the earliest silent movies in which the actors are credited on screen, something that was not done in the early days of silent films. This Jane Eyre Proved so popular that additional prints of the film were ordered by theaters. This then saved Thanhouser Film Corporation, a studio that found itself with very few successful motion pictures. The film, unfortunately, is presumed lost today.

14

Jane Eyre (1934)

Starring Virginia Bruce and Colin Clive

The 1934 version was the first “talkie” adaptation. Monogram Pictures, a small production company at the time, did the best they could on a relatively small budget. Jane never visits her dying aunt or runs away to Moor House, but the audience at least gets to see her childhood in Gateshead and a brief scene in Lowood. This is one version where much of The story has been changed to fit Hollywood’s idea of ​​a fairy tale.

Jane is beautiful, talented and accomplished, while Rochester is kind and paternal. Those who like the story of Jane Eyre But wish it was more upbeat and less gothic could enjoy this particular version. Virginia Bruce stars as Jane while Dr. Frankenstein himself, Colin Clive, stars as Edward Rochester. Film critic Leonard Maltin said the movie isn’t really worth seeking out for anything more than a curiosity to see the first tacky version of ​The novel Charlotte Brontë (by TCM).

13

Jane Eyre (1949)

Starring Mary Sinclair and Charlton Heston

The made-for-TV version, which aired on CBS, was limited by time constraints and filmed on one set. This was part of the US Studio One American TV series. The series began on radio before moving to television in 1948, which was one of the first versions of the story to reach the small screen. Studio One took several books and transported them to the small screen in TV show-sized adaptations. That is what happened with the 1949 version of Jane Eyre.

This inevitably led to The removal of several major plot points from the book, Such as Jane’s time at Gateshead and Moor House. The only time anyone sees Lowood is during a brief scene at the beginning of the film where Jane rages that she has been mistreated and will never return. The most enjoyable elements of this adaptation are Charlton Heston as Rochester and the woman in the attic. This was not the only time either Studio One Adapted Jane Eyre.

12

Jane Eyre (1957)

Starring Joan Allen and Patrick McNee

Another television adaptation arrived in 1957, this time from NBC. This was part of NBC Matinee Theatrewhich ran daily and offered live dramas with minimal sets and costumes. That means that a lot of that makes Jane Eyre Special is not shown in this series. The adaptation leaves out any plot points that do not take place in Thornfield. Much of the plot was shifted around, probably due to time constraints.

For example, rather than being interrupted at the altar, Rochester is in the middle of his proposal when Mason storms in and demands he tell Jane about Bertha. in this Jane EyreRochester is a creepy alcoholic who follows Jane, and Jane is much less clear than she is described in the novel. Mrs. Fairfax plays a larger role here, serving as Rochester’s confidant about Bertha and helping him keep his secret. Some of the choices may seem a little strange to fans of the novel, but they are still entertaining.

11

Sangdil (1952)

Starring Madhubala & Dilip Kumar

The First known Hindi-language adaptation of Jane EyreThe movie took some liberties with the source material but stayed true to the bones of the story. It featured the beloved Indian star Madhubala in the lead role opposite Dilip Kumar, with whom she had a real relationship with for many years. This helped in their chemistry on screen. Shankar and Kamla are childhood sweethearts separated at a young age, but who later reunite and enjoy a romance, albeit one with dark secrets.

While some critics said the particular adaptation was boring, Sandgil formed the basis for several other Indian adaptations of Jane Eyre What would follow. It also paved the way for many other adaptations in different languages ​​in India, such as a Tamil and a Telugu adaptation in the 1970s. The film received mixed reviews when it came out, but that didn’t matter because It was a huge success when released in theaters, the seventh highest-grossing movie of 1952 for India.

10

SCTV’s Jane Eyrehead (1982)

Starring Andrea Martin and Joe Flaherty

Although neither a movie nor a full-length TV adaptation, “Jane Yearhead” deserves a place among the best Jane Eyre Adaptations for his creativity alone. Created by the Second City comedy troupe for television, The Sketch Parodies Jane Eyre At a time when the BBC was adapting one classic after another for TV movies and miniseries.

In addition to Andrea Martin and Joe Flaherty as the leads, the sketch features John Candy, Eugene Levy and Martin Short. It also takes the story of Jane Eyre from her usual manor home to the setting of Benny HillA popular series at the time. of course, This is nothing more than a fake, but it does not make fun Jane Eyre. Instead, it pokes fun at the BBC’s efforts to release countless adaptations of older novelsOften spawning more than one adaptation of each novel in short order over the years.

9

Jane Eyre (1970)

Starring Susannah York and George C. Scott

Skipping Gateshead and going straight to Lowood, this version still manages to show the harsh beginnings of Jane’s childhood, although many other elements of the plot are condensed. This is the first version to show Jane’s time at Moor HouseAnd it includes the offering of St. John, both of which are important story elements that often get left out by other adaptations. However, the image of the central romance between Jane and Rochester is not brimming with passion.

Still, Susannah York and George C. Scott capture some of the most central elements of their characters. Perhaps the greatest feature of this adaptation is John Williams’ instantly memorable score. Williams scored the film just one year after picking up two Oscar nominations (Goodbye, Mr. Chips And The rivers) and one year before he scored fiddler on the roof. Williams won an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for Jane Eyre.

8

Jane Eyre (1997)

Starring Samantha Morton and Ciaran Hinds

Everything but Jane’s trip to Gateshead to visit her dying aunt is included in this ITV romance adaptation. Ciarán Hinds’ take on Rochester certainly stands out among the others, and fans of the novel either love or hate this particular portrayal. Hinds often chooses to play Rochester as aggressive and abrasiveRaising his voice often to convey Rochester’s passionate nature.

Both Jane (played by Samantha Morton) and Rochester certainly fit their physical descriptions in the book, both in terms of age and physical features. The adaptation also included appearances by Gemma Jones, David Gant and Abigail Cruttenden and was part of the massive production of classic adaptations in 1990s Britain, which also includes 1995s. Pride and Prejudice1996s Emma and 1997s Ivanhoe. While the movie isn’t as good as some of those, it remains a solid outing.

7

I Walked With a Zombie (1943)

Starring Betsy Connell & Tom Conway

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This horror movie for RKO Pictures is a very loose adaptation of Jane Eyre. It is based on an article by Inez Wallace but uses her story to reinterpret the events of Charlotte Brontë’s novel, and is one of the more unique takes on the story. I went with a zombie Follows a nurse as she takes a job caring for the sick wife of a sugar plantation owner in the Caribbean. Although it initially received mixed reviews when it was released, film scholars have changed their tune in the modern day.

Critics cite it as one of the earliest movies to have A thoughtful approach to his depiction of voodoo practices On the screen and highlighting the African diaspora more authentic. This is also a very important movie in horror cinema. Produced by Val Lewton, this was one of the movies Lewton wanted to show horror in a serious manner compared to the Universal Monsters releases. The movie is also one of the earliest depictions of zombies before they became The Walking Dead.

6

Jane Eyre (1983)

Starring Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton

of all Jane Eyre films, The 1983 version is by far the most faithful to the source material. Technically a limited television series, this version spans 11 episodes and details the events of each chapter of the novel. It features the most detail of the Jane Eyre Adaptations, which fans will surely appreciate. Because of the length of this adaptation, Jane and Rochester’s relationship is given a lot of time to grow.

For novel purists who want to see an adaptation that is the novel translated to the screen, this is the version for them. However, it’s also extremely long, clocking in at a total of 239 minutes, which is just under four hours. Timothy Dalton (formerly James Bond) stars as Edward while Zelah Clarke takes on the role of Jane Eyre. It originally aired on BBC1 and was a weekly show from October to December 1983.

5

Jane Eyre (1996)

Starring Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt

Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, this version offers a slightly muted take on the classic tale. Anna Paquin plays young JaneExquisitely capturing her defying passion and temper. Charlotte Gainsbourg plays Jane as an adult. She is still passionate, but that side of her nature has been tempered by her experiences at Lowood and she knows that, as a single young woman with no fortune, the world will not respond kindly to strong displays of emotion on her part. .

This was only Paquin’s second movie role after her Oscar-winning performance in 1993 The piano. At 14, she was still four years away from her true breakout as Rogue in The X-Men Franchise. As for Gainsbourg, this was one of her biggest roles at the time, the movie when she was 25. With Elliam Hurt as Edward, the cast was top notch, and critics loved what they saw, giving it a 75% Positive rating on rotten tomatoes.

4

National Theater Live: Jane Eyre (2015)

With Madeleine Worrall and Felix Hayes

One of the great things about UK National Theater productions is that occasionally productions are recorded for broadcast. In the case of Jane EyreA 2015 version of the stage show was recorded and broadcast in theaters, but it was also saved and made available for streaming as part of the National Theater at Home program.

It’s more than most Jane Eyre Movie adaptations in 3 hours and 20 minutesBut shorter than most miniseries would be, meaning that it has enough details that could be removed from the shorter adaptations. It makes clever use of the theater stage, including ladders and equipment to make scenes work that other productions might have tried to hide away. This is the best bet for anyone who wants to see Jane Eyre Like a stage, but can not see it in a real theater.

3

Jane Eyre (1943)

Starring Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles

Jane Eyre is a gothic romance, but many adaptations treat it as a classical period piece and ignore the gothic elements. However, this movie offers the best of both worlds. With long shadows and stark black-and-white contrast, the locations feel like they were described in the book in the 1943 Jane Eyre Movie. Lowood feels lonely and oppressive, while Thornfield feels truly haunted by secrets bordering on the supernatural.

Orson Welles gives a fantastic performance as Rochester, commanding every scene he’s in. The actor’s larger-than-life screen presence is perfect for the character and the story. He is One of the best Rochesters of any adaptation. It’s impressive to consider that Welles starred in this movie just two years after his masterpiece performance in Citizen no And one year after serving as the narrator for Journey in fear. He proved during that time that he is just as good an actor as he is a director.

2

Jane Eyre (2006)

With Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens

The 2006 Jane Eyre Movie is another version that aired as a TV miniseries on BBC. The four episodes cover everything in the novel, from Gateshead to Moor House. Scenes with Jane and Rochester pulse with romance and mystery, and The chemistry between Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens is undeniable. Certain changes were made to the dialogue in an attempt to modernize the story for new audiences, and these changes may not work for everyone.

However, between Wilson’s wonderful performance and the strength of the central love story, this version certainly does justice to Brontë’s story. Stephens, who went on to star in the TV show Black sailsWas also a great Mr. Rochester, playing perfectly off Wilson. The four episodes total 240 minutes, which is only four hours in running time, allowing for this Jane Eyre To tell every part of this sprawling epic story. It won three Primetime Emmy Awards and one BAFTA Television Award.

1

Jane Eyre (2011)

With Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender

Each version of a Jane Eyre Movie has its strengths, but no other has captured the essence of the novel like the 2011 version. Director Cary Fukunaga and screenwriter Moira Buffini make these Brilliant decision to start the movie with Jane flying Thornfield. The rest of the story—Jane’s childhood, her romance with Rochester, and her attempted marriage—is told through flashbacks. This improves the pacing of the film and keeps the audience engaged.

Although many actors put their spin on the characters, this cast cannot be matched. Michael Fassbender is a perfect Rochester. Meanwhile, Judi Dench and Jamie Bell, as well as the rest of the supporting cast, give great performances. Mia Wasikowska is the star, and perhaps the greatest strength of the adaptation is the way it is so clearly meant to be Jane’s story. Wasikowska’s performance is perfect in every scene, capturing the nuances and contradictions of the iconic character. The 2011 adaptation is the best Jane Eyre Movie.