Jane Austen's classics have been adapted for both the big and the small screens numerous times since the early 20th century. Her works, understandably, have a cult following among women who can't get enough of the lavish period settings, the beautiful men and women, the sweet romances, and the inevitable happy endings.
Austen's heroines are generally one of a kind--always of pleasant disposition although not necessarily beautiful, invariably on the verge of poverty if not poor, and somehow in the vicinity of some exceptionally handsome and wealthy young (and sometimes older) man. Here are some of the best heroines in the various TV and film adaptations of Jane Austen's novels and short stories over the years.
Anne Elliot: Persuasion (1995)
Critically acclaimed for its visually authentic take where the actors went before the camera with minimal makeup, Amanda Root's Anne Elliot was patient, gentle, and mature.
Published posthumously, Persuasion's Anne Elliot is widely considered one of Austen's older, more experienced heroines. Root's portrayal was empathetic although the film itself was a bit drab, and the protagonists appeared much older than the characters were supposed to be.
Elizabeth: Pride & Prejudice (1940)
One of the earliest adaptations of Austen's iconic "Pride & Prejudice", this film starred the legendary Laurence Olivier and the very elegant Greer Garson as Darcy and Elizabeth respectively.
However, stunning though the cast was, the film failed to impress, and Garson's Lizzy, although distinguished, was neither as charming as some of the other renditions of the beloved character that followed later, nor particularly memorable.
Elizabeth: Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen's most beloved novel was perhaps not the best rendition of the timeless classic. But actress Keira Knightley did a competent job as the sprightly, sensible Elizabeth Bennet, and Rosamund Pike was quite lovely as the beautiful, introverted Jane.
There was a time when Knightley was almost a go-to choice for directors of historical dramas--the actress landed the lead in film after film like Anna Karenina, Atonement and The Duchess. Pride & Prejudice became a landmark role in her career.
Lalita: Bride & Prejudice (2004)
Gurinder Chadha's Bride & Prejudice was an amusing Bollywood style adaptation of the Darcy-Elizabeth saga. Starring Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai and the handsome Martin Henderson, the film follows Lalita Bakshi's journey as she falls in love with the rather snobbish, wealthy Mr. Darcy.
Rai is admirable as the always reasonable Lalita whose older sister Jaya is deeply in love with the cheerful Balraj. She exudes a rich Indian sensibility and unlike other Elizabeth Bennets, this one knows her Bollywood moves.
Fanny Price: Mansfield Park (1999)
Francis O'Connor's Fanny Price is witty, mature, and a woman of many dimensions. O'Connor made quite a name for herself in a repertoire of period films including The Importance of Being Earnest and Madame Bovary.
The actress imbues the role with her characteristic dignity, and while Johnny Lee Miller (who plays Edmund Bertram) looks way too young to be cast opposite the more experienced actress at the time, O'Connor manages to carry the film solely on her able shoulders.
Catherine Morland: Northanger Abbey (2007)
Catherine Morland gets somewhat overshadowed by her more famous counterparts, but that does not take away from the fact that she is probably Austen's most fanciful heroine. Unlike the sensible Elizabeth or the meddlesome Emma, Catherine is highly imaginative and relies heavily on novels, particularly Gothic literature, to support her often incorrect theories about society and people.
Centered in Bath, which was the hub of glamour during Austen's lifetime, the story follows young Catherine who grapples with the goings-on in the so-called elite society. The charming Felicity Jones conveys just the right amount of wide-eyed naivité as she lets her imagination run wild about murders and conspiracies, all of which turn out to be the fantastic musings of an over-enthusiastic mind.
Emma: Emma (1996)
The matchmaking busybody Emma is yet another one of Austen's most endearing heroines, and has been brought to life at different times in both television and films.
Before being catapulted to fame and picking up her first Oscar for her role in Shakespeare in Love, Gwyneth Paltrow made her presence felt in this period drama as Emma Woodhouse. Emma's endeavors to bring together couples who she feels are right for each other often lead to hysterically awkward situations, and Paltrow is admirable as the young, over-eager woman who does not know her own heart.
Emma: Emma (2020)
The recently released film got a thumbs up from critics for capturing the social satire that was a major backdrop of most of Austen's works, as well as the hilarious comedy surrounding Emma Woodhouse and her disastrous matchmaking attempts.
Supremely unaware of her own condescension, Emma floats around interfering with everyone she thinks is in desperate need of her help. Actress Anya Taylor-Joy puts her heart and soul into the role and leaves her mark among Austen's screen heroines.
Elinor & Marianne: Sense & Sensibility (1995)
Ang Lee's Sense & Sensibility released in 1995 with a star-studded cast, comprising Emma Thompson who also wrote the screenplay for the film, a young Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, and more.
The film remains one of the most celebrated versions of Austen's novels. Thompson, dignified as ever, played the sensible older sister, Elinor, who is her family's pillar of strength, forced to bear every hardship thrown their way with a smile. On the other hand, the gorgeous Winslet was cast perfectly as the wildly passionate Marianne.
Elizabeth: Pride & Prejudice (1995)
Twenty-five years on, and yet the BBC adaptation of this Austenian classic remains the best. One of the best things about any literary work being translated onto celluloid is the characters coming alive from the pages of the book. The BBC Pride & Prejudice did absolute justice in that respect, as every character was portrayed exactly the way the reader would imagine them.
The adaptation also stayed very true to the original, and Jennifer Ehle who played Elizabeth rose to fame overnight. The actress did fade somewhat from the public imagination ever since due to her lack of visibility. Yet the clever, witty, sensible Eliza Bennet "with the fine eyes" who made Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy look sheepishly in love has gone on to become something of a legend.