Well, now that we're off the subject --and on to Penquins, I thought the film was absolutely beautifully photographed and wonderful to watch. But as a "documentary" I just wish they would have answered so many more of my questions. They kept saying it was over 70 miles, but never once did they indicate how long it took for that walk each time -- a few days? a week? how long? And how long did the mothers stay away when they went to feed? When the mothers or the fathers returned and didn't find their baby because it had died, and when a baby never found his father or mother returning, what happened? Do the "orphans" ever get "adopted" by childless parents? Since they showed a mother trying to steal another's baby it seemed likely, but they never talked about those "cross over" relationships. It was "pretty", but I wish it had actually been even more informative.

Sorry to go back on subject for a moment (then you all can go back to the penguins-haha:0), but thanks to all who chimed in to give their opinion about my very "serious" problem. I guess I'm just going to have to break down and "re-buy" it from a real store.
BTW, I enjoyed reading everyone's takes on Jane's movies and books. Tuscanlife, I'll bite about the "Emma" movies contrast. I agree completely that the BBC one with Beckinsale is superior to the Gwyneth version (although I do like Gwyneth). (Ironically, I also acquired a pirated copy of the BBC Emma off of...Ebay! Not on purpose of course!)
As for the new P&P with Keira Knightly, the preview I saw gave me a definite impression that it would not stick with the story, that it would be modernized and vastly feminized. I'll see it just for fun, but doubt it will be anything too special. The A&E version is my all-time favorite.

I just had to chime in, but about a&e p&p, not the penquins. I love it too and can not understand why they never have it on. Its not like they have a ton of other good stuff on that channel. I had a taped copy and don't know where it went, so its nice to know I can get a DVD.

and I apologize for the name-mangling earlier, it's Jeremy Northam

Patrick, I'm pretty sure I heard in the film that the mothers go away to feed for 3 months, and the fathers are egg-sitting and not eating for those 3 months.

Penguins, that is.

Dear Patrick,

I agree with you that "Penguins" left as many questions as it answered. It was beautiful, as you said.

I have to disagree with you about another remake of P & P. I take from your name that you are of the male persuation. No female of my aqaintance would feel there are too many versions of P & P! LOL!

I believe elaine is of the female persuasion and here is what she said above:

"As far as I'm concerned, the Ehle/Firth version is definitive, and recent, can't see why they're remaking it again so soon."

Yes, once I have determined which is the best, I see no need for additional attempts, especially so soon after the last, which to my mind will either suffer by comparison, or worse, give those not familiar with the book, the wrong ideas of what it's about. "Wrong" meaning contrary to Austen's view and intent, not mine.

I love Judi Dench, but can't see her as Lady Catherine, Lady Catherine should be tall and spare, in my mind's eye.

About the penquins, elaine. I thought the three months was how long the males went without food, but that included their first march there (however long that took), the courtship time until the laying of the egg (and how long did that all take?), etc. It was just so hard to get a clear idea of the time sequence of all the "events".

With Keira Knightley as the lead, I'm guessing that the production company is going for a young demographic, trying to bring the teens in. The new film is listed on the Internet Movie Database, and there are some links to the official site, if you want to know more. http://www.imdb.com
There's one user comment that is mixed. I'm sure I will like Dame Judi!

Judi Dench is such a great actress, I bet she'll make you believe she's tall and spare.

Sorry that I have nothing for the OP, but as Jane Austen is being discussed, then I "must have my share in the conversation"!

I absolutely agree with tuscanlifeedit that the film version of Mansfield Park was hideous! Smarmy double entendres, just a coy, cloying attitude throughout! Gaa!

But I thought Persuasion was just right. The kiss was indeed a distraction, but was only a jarring moment to me. Amanda Root was perfect.

And the Kate Beckinsale version of Emma was indeed truer to Jane Austen that the Gwyneth Paltrow one, but the frothy feel of the latter was quite appealing. Mr. Knightley in the former (Mark Strong?) was just all wrong, to me.

My favorite of the Jane Austen adaptations is the Jennifer Ehle P&P. Well produced, faithful to the book, and also a happy film! I agree that it's definitive, but then it's one of those stories, like Romeo & Juliet, for which every generation of paying moviegoers must have its own film version. The A&E version does seem recent to me, but to Keira Knightley fans it must seem of roughly the same vintage as the Greer Garson version!

I am indeed a fellow Janeite, elaine, though not a scholarly one. But I did recently join JASNA.

BTW, does anyone here also go to pemberley.com?

Sorry to seem thick here, but what's A&E? The Colin Firth/Ehle production was made by the BBC?

Kate--

A&E stands for Arts & Entertainment, a cable TV network in the US. It broadcasts a fair number of made-for-BBC films, repackaged as "A&E productions," and is the only venue for many US viewers to see them.

aha! Now I understand.

Anyway, to add my tuppence worth. I hold the Firth/Ehle BBC production up as the finest yet made. Being 6 hours long, they really didn't need to alter/chop down the story at all, and I just can't see a 2 hour film doing the book justice.

Although I think Knightley has the right amount of feistyness for the role, and there's been a lot of press in The UK about how the production will be a lot more 'real' in historical detail (muck and grime and scruffy clothes) than we're used to, which should be interesting.

I do wish people wouldn't keep going on about that handbag incident.
A three volume novel is about the same weight as a baby after all.
It all turned out very happily and I have been married to Canon Chasuble for nearly 40 years.

Pemberley in P and P is supposed to be based on Chatsworth.
If you've ever been there you can see that Elizabeth did very well for herself.

Do you know, it's the supposed resemblance of Pemberley to Chatworth that is a major reason for my very much wanting to see Chatsworth, which I haven't managed yet.
That, and the Duchess of Devonshire's own interesting history.

Smallti, not familiar with JASNA, will look it up, thanks. By the way, BBC-America is another channel that shows lots of UK tv productions.

Speaking of tall and spare, in that Rintoul P & P production, I thought that Judy Parfitt was a wonderful Lady Catherine, still young (as Lady C might very well be) and a fashion horse herself, though haughty as all get-out.