I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will
– Jane Eyre, Volume 2, Chapter 23
This day, on October 16 in 1847, the quintessential Victorian novel “Jane Eyre” was published in London. It was originally published in 3 volumes – divided into chapters: 1 to 15; 16 to 27; and 28 to 38.
This work of Gothic literature written under the pseudonym “Currer Bell,” by Yorkshire/England-born novelist Charlotte Brontë (1816-55) is widely considered a classic that emphasise love and passion, love versus autonomy, religion, social class…
As for me, it is a love story between the reader in Me and Jane Eyre, a woman so poor and plain but with an indomitable spirit.
Of the various movie and TV adaptations of Jane Eyre, versions in our collection are:
Jane Eyre (20th Century Fox, 1944, Dir: Robert Stevenson) – Screenplay by Aldous Huxley-Robert Stevenson and John Houseman, Starring: Joan Fontaine, Orson Welles, Margaret O’Brien, etc.
Jane Eyre (BBC TV Mini-Series, 10-12/1983, Dir: Julian Amyes) – Dramatised by Alexander Baron, Starring: Zelah Clarke, Timothy Dalton, Carol Gillies, etc.
Jane Eyre (BBC One, 2006, Dir: Susanna White) – Scripted by Sand Welch and Starring: Ruth Wilson, Toby Stephens, Lorraine Ashbourne, etc.
Jane Eyre (BBC Films, 2010, Dir: Cary Joji Fukunaga) – Scripted by Moira Buffini and Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, etc.
Notes:
- Image 6 above: From Jane Eyre starring: Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens.
- The Books and DVD/Blu-ray of the movies referred are available with amazon.com, amazon.co.uk and other leading dealers.
- Book sleeves credit: amazon.com, amazon.in
(© Joseph Sébastine/Manningtree Archive)
Manningtree Archive 
I’ve seen several “Jane Eyre” movie adaptations–but I can’t remember which ones the were!
Thank you, Liz. So lovely to see you here. Yes, with different adaptations that can happen. Enjoy your weekend.
You’re welcome, Jo.
Thanks for the inspiration. I am watching ‘Jane Eyre’ this afternoon on Netflix. 🤗
Thanks, Sally. I hope you enjoyed your afternoon with Jane Eyre on Netflix.
I did enjoy it very much !
And yesterday it was very foggy here in Newfoundland, and the scenery at the beginning of the movie was foggy too. 🤗
What a wonderful post! Thanks a lot for sharing 🙏
Thank you. You are most welcome, Luisa.
🙏💜🙏💜🙏
I’ve seen several of these adaptations, and always go back to the ’83 BBC version with Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton. Except for the fact that Timothy Dalton is much too handsome for the role of Mr. Rochester (not that I’m complaining), that version really captures the mood and tone of the novel and the characters. And it stays pretty true to the plot. This was a most enjoyable post.
Thank you, Donna. Each adaptation has its strengths. The Ruth Wilson as well as Mia Wasikowska versions are also impressive. I am yet to catch up with the Mary Sinclair/Charlton Heston and Susannah York/George C.Scott versions. Maybe they are available on Amazon Prime Video.
I had no idea there were so many different versions. I only saw the Timothy Dalton one. I remember liking it.
Thank you, Betsy. I think there are no fewer than 20 radio, film, television, and stage adaptations of Jane Eyre. Have a lovely weekend.
Amazing. Happy Sunday! 🙂
This is the second time around for me, Jo. I had to think back to a Jane Eyre movie that I saw many years ago, which I very much appreciated for the starkness. Susannah York was Jane Eyre and George C. Scott was Edward Rochester. I found a short video clip that I hope you can access. https://youtu.be/Sg7kpUEwQQ4. Your posts are always excellent, Jo. Thank you!
I appreciate your comments. As I commented to Ms.Donna, I haven’t watched the adaptation featuring Samantha York. The link you sent me has certainly triggered the choice to obtain a copy of that movie adaptation soon. Thank you, Rebecca.
I had forgotten all about that movie until I read your post. I appreciated its darkness. Although I kept thinking of the movie Patton. Wasn’t George C Scott amazing as Paton!