God bless Jane Austen. Not only did she enliven our English lit lessons, she taught us that a good woman has a strong spirit (Pride & Prejudice), a big mouth (Sense & Sensibility), and nice manners (Mansfield Park). That its OK to be a bit irritating (Emma) and that if you dont marry the man you love, dont marry anyone (Persuasion)!
So, with the anniversary of her death on 18 July, and in honour of a truly excellent social satirist, we are celebrating the great Austen heroines as they have been immortalised in film, by some truly great actresses
Keira Knightley gave arguable her best performance yet as the mouthy, mischievous Elizabeth Bennett in Joe Wright’s adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.
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Alicia Silverstone starred in the modern-day adaptation of Emma, Clueless. It proved just how timeless Austen’s world is… and introduced us to the concept of a Baldwin.
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A young Kate Winslet was glorious in Emma Thompson’s adaptation of Sense & Sensibility.
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And a young(ish) Hugh Grant also made an appearance.
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Kate Beckinsale played Emma in the ITV adaptation back in 1996!
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Rosamund Pike managed to make Jane Bennett good fun opposite Keira Knightley in Pride & Prejudice.