Jane Austen
Born in Hampshire, December 1775 to the local reverend and his wife, Jane was the 7th of 8 children. Most of her education was done at home and she learned to play piano and draw and write. Acceptable womanly pursuits at the time, though when it came to publishing her novels, all her works were published anonymously. She never married though many of her fans believe 'Persuasion' is based on a tragic love affair from her late teens. Her health began to decline early in 1817 and she died in July of that year in the arms of her beloved older sister, Cassandra at just 41 years of age. Her humourous and intelligent insights into Georgian life are as popular today, if not more so, than they were more than 200 years ago when first penned. The only known image of Jane is from a sketch by Cassandra, pictured right.
"I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal." - Jane Austen
Becoming Jane (2007)
7.1/10
Director: Julian Jarrold
Starring: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell, Maggie Smith, Joe An...
A romantic historical drama that speculates on events from Jane Austen's life and suggests there was a man in her life that may have been an inspriati... Read more
Bride and Prejudice (2004)
6.5/10
Director: Gurinder Chadha
Starring: Aishwarya Rai, Martin Henderson, Daniel Gillies, Anupam Kher, Nadira Babbar, Nav...
Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" gets the Bollywood treatment in this spectacular fusion of East meets West. Director Gurinder Chadha ("Bend It Lik... Read more
Clueless (1995)
6.8/10
Director: Amy Heckerling
Starring: Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd, Donald Faison, Brec...
A sparkling youth comedy about sex, clothes, popularity and day-glow satire; with the delightful presence of star Alicia Silverstone. Believe it or no... Read more
Emma (BBC) (2009)
6.7/10
Director: Jim O'Hanlon
Starring: Jodhi May, Jonny Lee Miller, Michael Gambon, Tamsin Greig, Romola Garai
The Jane Austen comedic classic is given new life in this sunny BBC production, which follows young, pretty 19th-century heroine Emma Woodhouse (Romol... Read more
Emma (BBC) (1972)
6.7/10
Director: John Glenister
Starring: Raymond Adamson, John Alkin, Doran Godwin
This BBC production of Jane Austen's novel, is set in the small provincial town of Highbury, depicting the often hilarious attempts of Miss Emma to fi... Read more
Emma (Paltrow) (1996)
6.7/10
Director: Douglas McGrath
Starring: Alan Cumming, Ewan McGregor, Greta Scacchi, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northam, Jul...
The course of true love runs hilariously askew once would-be Cupid Emma Woodhouse (Gwyneth Paltrow) gets her hands on it in this grand adaptation of t... Read more
Emma (Paltrow) ( Blu-ray ) (1996)
6.7/10
Director: Douglas McGrath
Starring: Alan Cumming, Ewan McGregor, Greta Scacchi, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northam, Jul...
The course of true love runs hilariously askew once would-be Cupid Emma Woodhouse (Gwyneth Paltrow) gets her hands on it in this grand adaptation of t... Read more
Emma (TV) (1996)
6.7/10
Director: Diarmuid Lawrence
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Mark Strong, Samantha Morton
This lavish adaptation brings to life all the glorious wit and sharp humour of arguably Jane Austen's finest novel, recreating her most irritatingly e... Read more
Jane Austen's Works (2005)
Though she hasn't written a word in 190 years, Jane Austen is one of the world's most famous authors and her works are still hugely popular today, bot... Read more
Love and Friendship (2016)
Director: Whit Stillman
Starring: Chloe Sevigny, Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Fry, Xavier Samuel
Beautiful young widow Lady Susan Vernon visits the estate of her in-laws to wait out the colourful rumours about her dalliances circulating through po... Read more