Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

The acting was quite good. All the principle characters were well represented. The problem was, Jane Austen's dialogue is perfect, as are all her set pieces. No updates are required, no new wives, older sisters, or children she did not herself see fit to place in her story. Duels, characters showing up where they are not meant to be. And all of it pointless, adding nothing to the story, the plotting or the characters. How is the story improved by Sir John Middleton suddenly having a wife, and Lucy Steele an older sister? Watch the 1995 version.

This television dramatisation was broadcast in three one hour episodes on BBC1 between Tuesday 1st January 2008 and Sunday 13th January 2008. In the interview featurette on this DVD, Andrew Davies explained that he wanted to avoid this television serial being a longer version of the film and so he attempted to give this adaptation a fresh slant. Therefore, he dramatised a number of scenes that are referred to in the novel, but are not directly described by Jane Austen. So, at the start of the first episode we have Mr Willoughby's seduction of Miss Williams, in the second part we are shown Marianne's visit to Allenham with Mr Willoughby, and in episode three, there is Colonel Brandon's scene with Miss Williams and her new born baby. Furthermore, in the same interview Ann Pivcevic, the producer, stated that the production team had deliberately sought out a young cast for the major roles in order to reflect the age of the characters in the book. Elinor Dashwood, for instance, is only nineteen years old. Consequently, a couple of relative newcomers were cast in the two central roles, but fortunately both Hattie Morahan (Elinor) and Charity Wakefield (Marianne) gave excellent performances as the two Dashwood sisters, and they were ably supported by the likes of Janet McTeer as Mrs Dashwood, Dan Stevens as Edward Ferrars and David Morrissey as Colonel Brandon. Interestingly, Marianne becomes engaged to Colonel Brandon before Elinor is betrothed to Edward Ferrars in this adaptation, whereas in the novel, Marianne does not become engaged until after Edward and Elinor are married.The DVD includes a picture gallery. Another bonus feature is an interview, which last approximately half an hour, in which Ann Pivcevic, the producer, and Andrew Davies, the screenwriter, talk about the making of the television series. This short film is interspersed with clips from the TV dramatisation chosen to illustrate a number of the points made in the interview. The DVD also includes an audio commentary recorded by Ann Pivcevic, the producer, John Alexander, the director, Hattie Morahan, who plays Elinor, and Dan Stevens, who plays Edward. Charity Wakefield (Marianne) and Dominic Cooper (Willoughby) also take part in the commentary for Episode 2. The commentary was recorded with them together as a group, and they clearly got on well because it is very chatty and good humoured.

(Spoilers included with this post.) Two "behind the scenes" events from the novel are included in this film version. One "works", the other severely damages the film. The duel scene "works" because it provides another insight into the passionate nature of Col. Brandon, and to his disdain for Willoughby. Holding the swordblade to Willoughby's throat long enough to "make the point" that the cad lost the duel, then walking away from the duelling field is SUCH an effective, humiliating put-down to that snake ! On the other hand, the error of using swords instead of pistols (as in the book) surprised me.The opening clips of Willoughby with Eliza Williams anger me. It is "hallmark Davies" pure and simple. Austen's text made perfectly clear what happened "off-screen". There is NO need for Davies to add what now is his "signature sleaze". I cannot have my young daughter watch the complete film with me, nor can I send the film as a gift to any friends. Granted the clips are reasonably brief; however, I do not need to hear loud "sexual panting" in a movie. . . . The tawdry inclusion reminds me vividly of another idiotic and annoying film adaptation: "Washington Square", with the horrible howler of having Catherine urinate publicly, on-screen (with a close-up shot, to boot !).Restraint displays far, far more power than does blatant exhibitionism. True verbally, and true graphically.I can't sufficiently praise the actresses for the three daughters. Even though Margaret's dialogue is "made up", she is trenchant and very sharp ! "Eleanor" and "Marianne" both win my vote for the best interpretations yet see on screen of these characters.Marianne perfectly captures the self-centered, teenaged "twit" element of the original character. The weakness, to me, was that consistently throughout this adaptation, Marianne openly speaks of her strongly favorable opinion of Col. Brandon. The result is the misrepresentation that Marianne truly has liked Col. Brandon all along. (which is not true in the novel) Fanny Dashwood gives me the creepy-crawlies ! Congrats to the actress on her interpretation ! This version's Lucy Steele, too, deftly played the smiling viper.The actor playing Willoughby is far from attractive, although such opinions always are subjective, of course. Agreeing with others who note that his despicable character is more clear in this version.The actor playing Col. Brandon probably ranks lower than in the 1995 version. He also presented a stumbling block for me, because his performance as "Bradley Headstone" in "Our Mutual Friend" was so powerful, I never could eject the earlier role from my head while watching him in this newest "S&S".Edward's sloppy, floppy hairstyle annoyed me.Very pleasant surprise in the actress playing Mrs. Dashwood. She is a pretty woman, and also betrayed the immaturity which (as per novel) she shares with Marianne.

this 2008 movie of sense and sensibility is a very pleasing one. i really enjoyed the characters, especially Elinor's. Hattie morahan is a more believable Elinor in manner and age. it seems as if she had taken on the mother role of her family and was the voice of reason leaving the other characters to dwell in their fanasties, with Marianne's romantic ideals and the mother's inability to accept their position upon the father's death. i loved this portrayal of Edward Farris much better altrhough i could still see a lot of Hugh grant's mannerisms in Dan Stevens version of Edward. Dan Stevens does an excellent job of making you believe his character and liking him and admire his morals while all the time hoping he unites with Elinor. although i really liked the role of col. Brandon in this version i still like Alan rickman's portrayal..he speaks so beautifully and so much like the men of education of that era. i love the way he speaks.i really liked this movie and after listening to Andrew Davies explanations or comments on this version you come to appreciate even more, such as the comments of the choice of the cottage the dashwoods come to live in.overall i loved the ending to this version much better.it was nice to see that the girls found what they were looking for especially Marianne. the 1995 version left you feeling there was something missing from Edward's declaration of love for Elinor..watching the deleted scenes at least gives you better closure with their romance.i loved this movie version that i ordered it before it was released--well here in Canada anyway. i heartily invite people to watch this movie