This query sprang forth after reading some of the related points in the thread: "Col. Brandon & Elinor: Did Austen get the ending of Sense & Sensibility wrong?" I have the four DVD major adaptions to S&S, P&P, and
Emma. I have read the books, but not as often as I have watched an adaption, so I confess that an adaption's imagery may obtrude on what I had read. Also, a listing by story, by adaption, by character, would fit a grid. However, the prose format tool almost require a "dream cast" and explain why the others who did that character were discounted. So, "Hi ho! Hi ho, its off to the funny farm I go..."
S&S:
Elinor Dashwood; a tie between Irene Richards (S&S1) and Hattie Morahan (S&S3). Both have the "plain" look which is Not ugly, but with a little makeup can sparkle. Joanna David (S&S0) is exactly wrong, at her age then and a brown eyed blonde, was too pretty.
Marianne Dashwood; Tracy Childs (S&S1) is attractive for the character, irked me enough to dust her bustle by her impulsiveness ("sensibility?"), and admire her sage after her near death experience at Cleveland. The others are not pretty enough, and the ugly mole evident on Charity Wakefield's back, while wearing a low back gown, is pathetic.
Margaret Dashwood; cast in only the two later adaptions, with the same principle defects, I favor Lucy Boynton (S&S3). She brought a sweet endearing little sister who may be the best of both sense and sensibility when she come of age to be out in society.
Mary, Mrs. Henry Dashwood; Janet McTeer (S&S3) has the youth and poise, and yet enough birthdays to be the mother to a near 20 year old daughter. Diana Fairfax (S&S1) is a good runner-up. Gemma Jones (S&S2) is too wrong! She seem old enough to be a grandmother.
Henry Dashwood, as in only the last two adaptions; Simon Williams (S&S3) looked like a dying man. Tom Wilkinson (S&S2) looked like a man who should get off his backside and punt his useless son's posterior.
John Dashwood; pick one. They are all equal doormats to the greedy Fanny.
Fanny Dashwood; Claire Skinner (S&S3) I think is closest to the book. Harriet Walker (S&S2) almost convinced me she had a valid point about Edward's diligence to family honor. Kay Gallie (S&S0) was so oily that she could give Dracula the jym-jams.
Edward Ferrars; Dan Stevens (S&S3) depicted the awkwardness of a shy guy. Hugh Grant (S&S2) come across as the actor who forgot his lines.
-
John Willoughby; Edward Woodward (S&S1) fit the part. He is also the Technomage "Galen" in the later part of the
Babylon 5 saga. Woodward is second only to David Bamber as the most divergent characters actor. Dominic Cooper (S&S3) is a good picture of a real bad guy, the pinch of his eyes, eyebrows, and nose is quite revolting.
-
Sir John Middleton; some swoose between Robert Hardy's (S&S2) vigor and Mark Williams (S&S3) affability and good sense. The previous were too far over -the- top.
Col. Christopher Brandon; all shown the dignity of his service and situation, but Alan Rickman (S&S2) or David Morrissey (S&S3) are tied for the needed edge.
Mrs. Jennings; Linda Basset (S&S3) showed the chubby without excess corpulence. I was surprised that Patricia Routledge of (S&S0) was very fitting.
Lucy Steele; only Anna Madely (S&S3) was cute enough to hook a young guy, just away from a domineering mother. The others were "Yoogly" -to- two bag ugly. (Want to know more about "the degrees of ugly?")
-
Robert Ferrars; Richard Lumsden (S&S2) could only get a girl after his brother's inheretance got bodged over.
Mrs. Ferrars; Jean Marsh (S&S3) had a dignity that put the edge to the cruel arrogance of the book's character.
Sophia Grey; Lone Vidahl (S&S2) is pretty enough without her 50,000 pounds.
P&P:
Jane Bennet; Rosamund Pike (P&P3) is a pretty blonde who is sweet, but Suzanne Harkness (P&P2) may be a better character fit.
Elizabeth B.; Elizabeth Garvie (P&P1) is trim, like a girl who go walking a lot. Jennifer Ehle (P&P2) reflect her wit and may be a better likeness.
Mary B.; Tessa Peake-Jones (P&P1) look the part, not pretty, but not ugly.
Catherine "Kitty" B. ?
Lydia B. Julia Sawalha (P&P2) has to reflect a girl with the morals that would embarrass a fornicaterer.
Mr. Bennet; Benjamin Whitrow (P&P2) obtrude on P&P readings. Moray Watson (P&P1) is exactly wrong because he played him too prickley.
Mrs. Bennet; Allison Steadman (P&P2) is close to the book, but I think Brenda Blethyn (P&P3) may be more historical.
Aunt Philips; ?
Sir William Lucas; ?
Lady Lucas; ?
Charlotte Lucas; Irene Richards (P&P1 and S&S1)
William Collins; David Bamber (P&P2) is closest to the book, but Malcolm Rennie (P&P1) is more fun to watch, especially with the Collins' theme music.
-
Lady Catherine; Judy Parfitt (P&P1) is more likeable, but Barbara Leigh-Hunt (P&P2) is probably closer to the book. Dame Judy Dench (P&P3) may have been in contention, if the script was closer to the book, especially about the midnight raid on Longbourn.
Anne de Bourge; Rosamund Stephen (P&P3) is attractive enough to make her poor physical condition the more pitiful.
EmmaEmma Woodhouse; Kate Beckinsale (E3). Not Doran Godwin (E1) because she is too ugly and too haughty, although that may be the right poise for a Regency Era upper crust young woman.
Mr. Henry Woodhouse; Sir Michael Gambon (E4) is closer to the book, but Denys Hawthorne (E2) seem a more agreeable, fun character.
Isabella nee Woodhouse Knightley; (E4)
George Knightley; Johnny Lee Miller (E4). Mark Strong (E3) is too wrong, because he come off more like a Drill Sergeant.
John Knightley; ?
Harriet Smith; Louise Dylan (E4) is a pretty blonde, as required. Toni Collette (E2) is pudgy, with some wit, but a redhead. Debbie Bowen (E1) is exactly wrong! She is two-bag ugly and about 90% of her lines is; "yes, Miss Woodhouse."
Mrs. Goddard; ?
Mrs. Bates; ?
Miss Bates; Tamsin Greig (E4) has the idiotic prattle about fitting, and look like a woman who would be sister to Jane Fairfax's mother.
Jane Fairfax; Ania Marson (E1) has poise without pretense, or any but Laura Pyper (E4) whose brown eyes is exactly Wrong.
Mr. Weston; any seem okay.
Mrs. Anna nee Taylor Weston; Jodhi May (E4)
Frank (Weston) Churchill; any seem okay.
-
Mr. Elton; (E3) meet the "handsome" requirement, but (E4) look like a weasel and "jumped Emma's bones."
Mrs. Augusta nee Hawkins Elton; Fiona Walker (E1) has some dignity. Christina Cole (E4) play her parts with too much tart, as she did "Letice Protheroe" in the 200x adaption of Agatha Christie's
Murder in the Vicarage.
Am sure enough holes for characters remain. Thoughts? Anyone.
"The avalanche has started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote." -Ambassador Kosh Naranek
