Jane Eyre 1973 - Clip 4 (Sorcha Cusack, Michael Jayston)

[hannahlily11]

Awesome i havent seen this version yet, and will as soon as i can.. it seem to be so true the book in dialogue, i havent seen this particular scene in any ive watched yet.

[missaprile]

When I was nine my mother let me stay up on Tuesday nights to see this on PBS. I fell madly in love with Mr. Rochester and longed to read Jane Eyre. Since we lived in a small town with no library, I remember standing in the library of a neighboring town, staring at the book and aching for a library card for which I was not eligible. Santa came to my rescue that year and I wore the cover off. I now own 3 copies so I always have one nearby. This Rochester and this scence, remain my favorite.

[dtunlimiteda]

i love this Rochester. In every Jane Eyre movie, the Rochester always has a quality that sticks out beyond the rest.

1949- Orson Welles emphasized rochester's brooding character.

1970- Rochester's age and wit

1983-Rochester's temper

1996- Rochester's emotion

1997- Rochester's authority

2006- Rochester's passion.

I think Michael Jaysten emphasized Rochester's attachment to Jane. He truly makes you feel like he cant live without her, like she's a part of him.

[Aiglea]

Wow, dtunlimiteda, because of your discriptions, I want to re-watch those versions...

You've done a very good job: a very short discription, but to the point.

[Lindsey282010]

@dtunlimiteda how many JE's have there been? I did not realise there had been so many! I will av2 watch them all now iv only just finished watching the 2006 and I really liked it and I cant wait to read the book and I usually hate romances so it has to be good for me to like it, however I will research some other Charlotte Brontes too can u reccomend another book of hers to read? be very greatful indeed TY :)

[domramalaja]

What do you think of Jane Eyre then, TheCycloneof07?

[domramalaja]

After seeing your Channel, I suppose you liked him in "Nicholas & Alexandra" too, 'TheCycloneof07'? :-)

[Catalina1485]

You got that right! :)

[domramalaja]

And you too, Catalina1485, is a fan of N&A from what I can see :-) Or is it the Romanovs overall, not just the film from 1971?

[Catalina1485]

The Romanovs overall, and the movie from 1971.

[Catalina1485]

He's sexy lol

[katiats]

Thank you!

[katiats]

Could anyone post the whole series or at least some clips of it? I've watched all the other adptations of JE and I find this version quite interesting and the dialogs very close to the book.

[domramalaja]

There used to be a lot more, but the account was closed. I recommend you to buy the DVD, it is worth the 10€ (at play*dot*com).

[rubytuesday17]

ahaha we have settled that already haven't we?well, i have settled that! you see, i'm an obeying girl, i discover it now:D

[domramalaja]

You mean that you have ordered a DVD?!?! Good for you!! I am sure you will not regret it.

[rubytuesday17]

eva..if you promise me to remain calm and not to jump everywhere, then i'll tell you:"im must admit this scene is incredibly cute and very lovely!" and i do indeed think it..i'm melting!this 4:36 passage is so cute!thanks sweetie!i still love toby, yet!but i like this one more and more!i have to watch it again:D but as in the 2006 version her "cheek and forehead" are kinda in another place of her face, aren't they?lol

[domramalaja]

[trying to remain seated] Yes, this entire scene is heartbreaking and cute at the same time. But you lost me in the last sentence. I do not understand what you mean, rubytuesday17.

[ksotikoula]

I think rubytuesday17 means that he kisses her on her lips here, as Toby does, and not in "cheek and forehead" as in book. She sure made me laugh with her comment because this scene being so close to the book surpised me too with those kisses. I expected too "cheek and forehead".

[domramalaja]

Ahhhh, I see! It is different, that is true. On the other hand, there is a lot of kissing in this adaptation that is not explicitly mentioned in the novel.

As for the kissing in this scene, I see this and the equivalent ones in JE06 (the bed-scene) differently. I interpret this as kisses of despair, the ones in JE06 as Mr. Rochester is trying to seduce Jane. Which, BTW, makes the "brother and sister" thing ridiculous and unbelievable in my eyes.

[ksotikoula]

I agree about the different nature of kisses in 73 and 2006 version. I have also created the topic "moral issues and love scenes" in the imdb board of 2006 version, where I say that they have totally destroyed the separation scene. (If you write in imdb as domra then you already know me as e_spanou). You can write your opinion about it on my topic if you like. I'm all alone there defending the superiority of the book to the film. Lol!

[domramalaja]

Yes, ksotikoula/e_spanou, I have figured that out already. :-D Happy to "see" you here too, BTW. Have you got hold of this adaptation on DVD yet?

I am admiring your comments on the 2006 IMDb board and I am still trying to find out how to express my opinion (I am not so good with words as you are) of the topic you created. (And I know I still owe you some replies on the JE73 IMDb Board. There has not been enough time ... )

[ksotikoula]

I haven't got a copy of the movie yet. My work doesn't pay regularly (they owe me 6 months pay-checks already), so I have to postpone it.

Take your time with the imdb answers. We are not in a hurry. Nice to see you too.

[rubytuesday17]

hum, eva, i need you help! you're the person i know who knows most about classical, and i'd like you to explain me clearly(if you can)what's the difference between a bass and a tenor(i know they don't sing the same way, but who's the highest?is there any famous i could listen to, just to understand?)thanks a lot

[domramalaja]

rubytuesday17, I will go and look for some fine video's to give you examples of bass (low), tenors (high) &c. Meanwhile, I can recommend you to checkout mendoncacorreia's Playlist with Hermann Prey, one of the finest baritones (middle) I have ever heard.

[rubytuesday17]

thanks..sorry for asking help, thanks for giving it:D i'll certainly go then:D

[mendoncacorreia]

As for tenors, I highly recommend the collection being made here by 'kraustrujillo' on the great Spanish tenor Alfredo Kraus: it's superb!

[rubytuesday17]

thanks:D my dear domramalaja shared some very good stuff, so now i know better!

[domramalaja]

Looking for a fine bass, rubytuesday17? Search YT for 'Se vuol ballare signor Contino - René Pape'. (And, yes, Mr. Rochester in JE72 radio serial is a bass.)

[rubytuesday17]

thank you..gonna make it now!oh btw thanks so much for this opera's piece you shared...to crown the whole, they sang in french;P

[domramalaja]

Yes, I did send you 'Faust' on purpose. I IS easier to get aquainted with opera if one understands what they are going on about (if one can HEAR it, that is ;-) ).

My first full opera was Ingmar Bergman's (translated) adaptation of Mozart's 'The Magic Flute'. I have loved opera ever since.

Now, the film I send you only USES the music from 'Faust' (the story is from a novel by Leroux), but it is very well chosen for the scene, in my opinion. (I have read a translation, my French, you know ...)

[rubytuesday17]

thank! i must say opera is not exactly what i would listen to in the morning to begin a new day, but i think little by little i could begin to like it! i have to listen to some purcell(is that a good one?)coz i saw lyrics by it, and loved it! didon et enée, i think, or something of that kind!

[rubytuesday17]

i see i'm not alone then!

[rubytuesday17]

yes, do remain seated:D it made me laugh that here too, he kissed her on the mouth while in the book, it is her cheek and forehead!about the audio one, this is the scene after the proposal:D

[Lcplsexiiiking]

Rite I know this is off the mark and has nuttin 2 do wid the Film (I will get to it in a bit)...but u see the actor who plays rochester...I swear he is in Emmerdale at the mo...I maybe mistaken, but it does look alot like him...

ANYWAYZ...I have to say that this has to be one of my fav versions of Jane eyre (that and the 83 and 2006 version)...this film seens the most truest adaptations to the book, plus this rochester is very gd and is very much like the one in the book...oh and so is Jane X

[domramalaja]

Lcplsexiiiking,

Yes, that is correct. Michael Jayston is currently in 'Emmerdale' as Donald de Souza. I have seen a few clips which are available on his fan site and I still find him charming even at 72.

[abemoni]

I have to admit that I was initially sceptical about the casting. But heavens, he's a VERY, VERY GOOD ROCHESTER. Blimey, he is perfect! And the whole production is such a rare gem coz it's so close to the book. I'm going to trawl all over the place to find all of this.

[domramalaja]

Yes, Robin Chapman's script is excellent.

The only "main" character missing is Rosamond Oliver, but a very good St. John makes up for that. The whole cast is superb, IMO, except for the Reeds.

[JenHenShaw]

Fantastic version, so close to the book.

[15987631]

Bad casting here. This Rochester is so far from the Rochester in the book! He is too sweet, too kind, too thin... The Rochester in the book is gruff and tough and rough and physically massive and strong!

[galinaqt]

I agree with you on looks. I like 73 because it is close to the book and keeps Bronte's English not modern substitution as every other version except 83. I think that M. Jayston's performance is very talented although he is not as fully shows Mr. Rochester character as T. Dalton.

[15987631]

Yes, I must admit that this adaptation is very true to the book. :-)

[domramalaja]

Every time I watch Sorcha at 4:09-4:16 I almost start crying myself. It is so very well acted with those eyes filled with tears.

[mendoncacorreia]

It is very, very poignant - one of the most poignant looks I have ever seen on screen. And it is so simple and natural...

This whole scene is one of the reasons why I think the 1973 version is much more than just another TV adaptation of the novel...

[BelovedCaptain]

Ooh, that was very good! Not as dramatic and tense as the part in the '83 one, but this man playing Rochester is very good! :D

[Africana3789]

The '83 one kicked ASS there is none other better than that one, IMO. The passion is unmistakeable in that one.

[galinaqt]

This Jane looks even bigger than him. M. Jayston gives very talented performance, but T.Dalton fits the character better.

This is my second favorite version after T.Dalton's. As far as I concern these two versions are the only versions. Other versions allow itself too much liberties.

[domramalaja]

Well, I agree that TD fits better in length (or is it that Zelah Clark is so tiny?). Mr. Rochester is not supposted to be tall, but I see what you mean. I love the scene in the JE83 adaption when he carries her down the stairs.

MJ is a far better actor though (IMHO) and that is - for me at least - more important.

[galinaqt]

Mr.R should be athletic and threatens J.E with violence along with trying pity in this scene. Since these Jane is a big musculane woman and Mr. R thin intelligent guy, he can only use pity. In my opinion T. Dalton is talented enough and match character better. I understand that every version has its fans. Anyway this is very descent adaptation. I even plan to get it.

[mendoncacorreia]

In my humble opinion, of all the actors whom have performed the role on screen, Michael Jayston is the only one who fits - both physically and psychologically - Jane's description of Rochester in chapter XIV of the novel ("[...] he rose from his chair, and stood, leaning his arm on the marble mantelpiece [...]").

[domramalaja]

"[...] Jane suits me: do I suit her?"

"To the finest fibre of my nature, sir."

I could not agree more with her (and you).

[llwta]

I agree totally w/you! Zelah is about 5' even and T.D. is 6'2". Jane is suppose to be tiny.

[domramalaja]

Yes, Jane is supposed to be "little", but Mr. Rochester is not supposed to be tall.

[llwta]

I don't know how tall Mr.R is suppose to be. I DO know that he is "big" enough to call Jane a "mere reed in my hand". She is tiny by his teling.

[mendoncacorreia]

From chapter XII of the novel: "[...] but I [Jane] traced [in him] the general points of MIDDLE HEIGHT [...]".

Rochester's model was Arthur Nicholls, Charlotte's future husband: you may find some of photos him in 'internet'.

Please, believe me: of all the actors who ever performed the role, Michael Jayston is the one who looks more (much more) like Nicholls...

[ksotikoula]

Rochester's model wasn't Arthur Bell Nicholls. When Charlotte was writting Jane Eyre he had just come to Haworth and she didn't notice, nor liked him much. She wasn't in love with him. She accepted to marry him only after 6 years when she was lonely (her sisters being dead) and she was touched be his loving her. She had started to appreciate him and thought it a destiny that Providence offered her, and therefore she should better follow it.

[mendoncacorreia]

[1/5]

I'm interested in knowing where you got this information you are giving here.

The information I have is based on several reliable sources, namely a good and serious historical essay published as a preface to one Portuguese translation I own.

I will try to sum it up to you in the following...

[mendoncacorreia]

[2/5]

Arthur Bell Nicholls took up the curacy of Haworth in May 1845. Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë began writing "Jane Eyre", "Wuthering Heights" and "Agnes Grey" shortly after the publication of their "Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell" in May 1846, that is, one full year after Nicholls' arrival to Haworth.

[mendoncacorreia]

[3/5]

Charlotte Brontë did fall in love with Arthur Bell Nicholls when she became acquainted with him; so did her sister, Emily, as their brother, Patrick Branwell, would find out. After reading the manuscripts of "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights", Patrick shouted to both his sisters: "You are in love with the same man!"

Ironically, Charlotte thought that Nicholls was in love with Emily; and Emily thought that Nicholls was in love with Charlotte...

[ksotikoula]

[3]

[ksotikoula]

Sorry! No[3]. She later changed opinion about him because he laughted so much when he recognized himself in Shirley. He was

a minor character in the end of the book but fortunatelly she had writen good things about him (mostly that he is a conscientious man).

[mendoncacorreia]

No problem! I suppose that's why I couldn't locate your reply directly from my e-mail...

The fact that Nicholls laughed his head off when he recognized himself in "Shirley" is explicitly mentioned in that essay I've been telling you about here.

[mendoncacorreia]

[4/5]

Although she did fall in love with him, Charlotte never hoped that Arthur would love her, not even after Emily's death. That's why the proposal he made to her in 1852, six years after his arrival to Haworth, came up as a complete surprise to her. Eventually, they would get married in June 1854 but that's another story...

[ksotikoula]

She wrote to Ellen near 1847: "Mr Nicholls is returned just the same. I cannot for my life see those interesting germs of goodness in him you discovered; his narrowness of mind always strikes me chiefly. I fear he is indebted to your imagination for his hidden treasures."

[mendoncacorreia]

Since that letter was written near 1847, and since Emily died in December 1848, it would surprise me Charlotte saying otherwise if it was true she sincerely thought Nicholls was in love with Emily.

In passing, this raises another question which I have seen treated here and there: how really happy was the Nicholls/Brontë marriage? Do you agree with those who state that it was rather unhappy?

[ksotikoula]

The marriage was a happy one. Charlotte found out they had a common love for nature&she started feeling from the beginning a "ceaseless protection" that did not bothered her. Her last words for him were words of love. Suggestively,she had made a settlement before marriage that if she died her property would go to her children or her father.She took back that settlement&bequeathed him all her possessions before dying because she knew he would hold true to his promise of taking care of her father.

[mendoncacorreia]

That was the information I had; but since it was a 'second-hand' information, I thought it better to have it confirmed by someone like you, who is an expert on the matter. Thank you!

[mendoncacorreia]

[5/5]

This information I'm summing up now corroborates the idea that Arthur Bell Nicholls was indeed the model which Charlotte Brontë had in mind when she imagined the character of Edward Rochester.

I have been in possession of this information since the 70s, and I have been checking it ever since. But, of course, I'm not a true expert on the matter; and I will have no problem in admitting that I have been wrong: after all, this is not a matter of life and death at least to me...

[ksotikoula]

What you describe seems like the script of "devotion" which was a first totally inaccurate movie about the Brontes-check it out on imdb.I know all this because I have read Charlotte's letter's to Ellen Nussey from the department of English literature when was in university.

[mendoncacorreia]

I don't have at hand right now the essay I've mentioned; but, knowing its author's reputation, I doubt that very much...

Be that as it may, it leaves without satisfactory explanation the fact that the physical description made by Charlotte Brontë of Edward Rochester largely matches with the photos of Arthur Bell Nicholls we can observe, for instance, in "Charlottes Verheiratung mit Arthur Bell Nicholls".

[mendoncacorreia]

From chapter XXVII of the novel: "[...] A mere reed she feels in my hand!" (And he shook me with the force of his hold) [...]".

In this scene, Jane is (not 'tiny' but) 'weak', 'frail': a 'reed', a 'cane' in Rochester's hands.

Anyway, if you look closer, you will see that Michael Jayston is at least a good palm taller than Sorcha Cusack...

[llwta]

Can't find this version and am reluctant to pay 35.00 w/o seeing it through first. It's growing on me though...

[domramalaja]

If you want to read more about it and see loads of screen caps; google on "1973 BBC miniseries starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston" (include the "") and you will get the URL the Jane Eyre 1973 site (I was not allowed to paste the URL in here).

[llwta]

I'll try that later today. Thanks a lot!

[Listentoyourheart07]

i find the 2006 version alot better than this one.. i don't feel chemistry between them like i do between ruth wilson/ toby stephens in the 2006 version

[domramalaja]

Well, it is difficult to compare this particular scene in JE73 to the one in JE06 as the latter has almost the whole thing cut out. (And the part that is kept is so very much altered.)

Considering the whole mini, there is - IMHO -a lot of chemistry between Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston.

[BillyBooshea]

This is the very first adaptation I ever saw when I was 14 and I fell in love with the book . however when I saw the one with Toby and ruth I totally changed my mind . this is still goog but toby brings a softness to the rochester man

[lilysasaki]

BBC's 2006 one is the BEST. Toby Stephens is the best Mr. R. and Jane is simply amazing in there.

[ksotikoula]

Well Ruth is awesome,Toby not so near as the book character, but the separation scene is totally screwed up. nothing like the conflict of the book, let alone that "living tofether as brother and sister". Rochester wasn't a liar. Why make him appear so?

[lilysasaki]

lol Man I guess this Jane is the ugliest of them all.

[domramalaja]

Ugly?! Well that is a matter of taste I suppose, but there are a lot of scenes in this version where she is not ugly at all, quite the contrary.

[annwags]

Compare this version of this scene with the 1983 version. Dalton nails the sorrow and desperation. And despair. Jayston does very well, it just is too melodramatic. Unreal.

[Elisabetta611]

PLEASE, oh God, PLEASE post the entire thing! PLEASE!

[annead]

Out of all the versions I have seen this is very close to being my fave. But I have not seen one where the characters and plot match the book.

[Prancuzishkai]

I'd never seen the realy good adaptation. Timothy Dalton was realy exelent, bu Zelah not. Samantha good too. For god sakes, do something. Make a realy good J.E. For God sakes!

[stardappledgreen]

the 2006 one is probably the best - a really good Jane in that

[domramalaja]

Yes, Ruth Wilson did a good job. But the scriptwriter did NOT.

[ksotikoula]

I couldn't agree more with that. There are 20 versions and not one good enough to be compared with the feelings created by the book.

[dearland]

Just one thought: no matter how many adaptations there are. this is the best of all!

[JediXManSerenaKenobi]

Okay... just HOW many versions of Jane Eyre ARE THERE??? Has anybody counted? This is like the tenth version I've found... I think Jane Eyre is probably the most re-adapted book ever to be on film.

[ksotikoula]

There are 20 if you search in imdb without counting the musicals.

[JaneAustenRules]

can you post more clips from this movie please

[desertann]

They reproduce the book very faithfully, the words are all here. But this is a case where you can't always take the book to film and have the same effect. I just feel there is lack of chemistry between the two, despite the intense emotions they are acting out. Seems like something's missing.

[YulieAna]

I agree. Probably because they spend a lot of time talking when the dialogue should have been shortened and they don't really have any physical connection.

[mendoncacorreia]

I don't want to be rude, but I'm quite puzzled with both these comments. "Chemistry between the two"? "Physical connection"? Wouldn't that be a little bit out of place in this particular scene?...

[YulieAna]

They spend most of the time talking. I saw this adaptation and i was not convinced that Rochester is madly in love with her and she is in love with him. The 2006 film is a little too modernized but at least the actors really show the love between the characters.

[mendoncacorreia]

In my humble opinion, the love between Jane and Rochester is not to be shown: it is to be HINTED. A director, wanting to follow as faithfully as possible the book, can SHOW their love only at two instances: the "love scene" and the "return scene".

[YulieAna]

I guess different people develop it differently. In my opinion there is such strong chemistry between Jane and Rochester in the book that the characters almost jump out of the pages.

[mendoncacorreia]

Furthermore, "Jane Eyre" (as written by Charlotte Brontë) is a story told by Jane's own point of view, with a balance of both suspense and surprise: (1) suspense: is Jane's love to be met by Rochester? (2) surprise: it is, but... he is married; (3) suspense: is Rochester's love to be met by Jane? (4) surprise: it is, but... he is crippled. To SHOW this love in other scenes besides the two I have pointed out would (I believe) simply ruin that balance.

[YulieAna]

I really did not see any mystery or suspence in the book except the crazy wife episode. The whole romance between Jane and Rochester is pretty obvious leading to the breaking point when he proposes to her. I read it 3 times, and just finished studying it in college.

[YulieAna]

They constantly flirt with each other, have long conversations late at night and alone. Then the little incident between them in Rochester's room after Bertha sets it on fire. I don't really see how the romance is "hinted", when Bronte is pretty obvious about it.

[mendoncacorreia]

I see we have different readings of the novel. Mind you, my conception of suspense and surprise is the same as Hitchcock's: Jane is longing for Rochester's love (suspense), but his proposal comes out of the blue (surprise: "I thought he mocked me!"); Rochester is longing for Jane's love (suspense), but her return is a gift from Heaven (surprise: "... but I cannot be so blest...").

[mendoncacorreia]

Flirt, if there is such in the book, in my opinion happens just twice: right after Rochester's proposal (chap. XXIV: "Come, and bid me good morning...") and Jane's return (chap. XXXVII: "Am I hideous, Jane?").

[mendoncacorreia]

For those who have never seen this particular version of "Jane Eyre": it's simply PERFECT!

[brushgang4]

Thanks very much for this - Michael Jayston is very good indeed as Rochester, making him human and understandable, very subtle, have bought the dvd to see more, thanks for introducing me to this version! Brushgang4