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Jane Austen's Emma

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Jane Austen's Emma

TV-PG

1996

1h 47m

Drama

Romance

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

89%

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9 Reviews

73%

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5,000+ Ratings

While matchmaking for friends and neighbors, a young 19th-century Englishwoman (Kate Beckinsale) nearly misses her own chance at love.

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Megan Rosenfeld

Washington Post

[Kate] Beckinsale is well supported by the rest of the cast, especially Mark Strong as Knightley and Prunella Scales as the chattering spinster Emma unkindly insults.

Nov 19, 2019

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Steve Johnson

Chicago Tribune

Perhaps it is a function of a television budget, but [Andrew] Davies and [Sue] Birtwistle, with director Diarmuid Lawrence, opt not for postcard lavishness but for simple clarity of presentation.

Nov 19, 2019

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Howard Rosenberg

Los Angeles Times

Although [Kate] Beckinsale hasn't much romantic chemistry with [Mark] Strong at a point late in the story when she should have, she is irresistible.

Nov 19, 2019

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Casey Cipriani

Bustle

If the Paltrow version is a bit too bubbly and modern for your sensibilities, you might find this one a bit more true to Austen's writing.

Nov 17, 2020

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David Zurawik

Baltimore Sun

2 1/2 hours of that [Kate] Beckinsale smirk is just too, too much of a bad thing.

Nov 19, 2019

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Tom Gliatto

People Magazine

Emma, as adapted by Andrew Davies, captures not just Austen's light charm but the pinpricks of her social criticism.

Rated: A

Nov 19, 2019

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Summer V

There is something so disconcerting about Mark Strong’s receding hairline and the director’s inclination to make him treat Emma as a child the entire film. I know that’s how it’s written, but he just looks SO old and she looks SO young that their kiss at the end actually made my stomach clench. Ugh… I like both actors, but together in this movie, they win first place for the most grotesque Austen couple ever depicted. If they had given him a really good hairpiece and said a little less about how he held her as a baby right before they kissed… maybe it would have been fine, but ew ew ew eeeewwwww!!! I don’t even mind any of the Jane Eyre and Rochester depictions compared to this… for some reason this couple isn’t supposed to be like that, ha.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/01/25

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Jiny S

This film is both delightful and comforting, with the cast delivering outstanding performances. It’s a quintessential Jane Austen adaptation, filled with unexpected twists and turns, yet it all culminates in a satisfying and heartwarming conclusion.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

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steve d

Personally this is my favorite version and I have seen them all.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

This version of Emma captures all the warmth an romance of the novel, but also has a very easy and realistic style without appearing pretentious.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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sanja s

I mean, the acting is good, but I don't like the script, it didn't allow any development of the friendship between Emma and Harriet, it all seems so jumpy and rushed. I do like the final scene where Emma speaks to Harriet and Martin. The chemistry between the main couple isn't there for me. I think that if they recasted everyone to be another character in the film, it would have been much better and fitting to the film, the only fitting portrayal for me was Frank Churchil, Mrs Elton, Miss Bates (for me, one of the best portraxyals of this character) and Mr. Woodhouse. I would cast Samantha Morton as Emma, Olivia Williams as Harriet, Kate Beckingsdale as Jane, switch actors for Mr. Elton and Mr. Knightley, switch Mrs. Elton and Mrs. Weston, the rest can stay for the matter being :D. So, not a bad movie, but could have been soo much better. Still, it's Austen, so grateful for any adaptation.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

An interpretation as charming as Ms. Woodhouse herself.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

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Diarmuid Lawrence

Director

Kate Beckinsale

Emma Woodhouse

Mark Strong

Mr. Knightley

Samantha Morton

Mrs. Weston

Bernard Hepton

Mr. Woodhouse

Prunella Scales

Miss Bates

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84%

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Synopsis

While matchmaking for friends and neighbors, a young 19th-century Englishwoman (Kate Beckinsale) nearly misses her own chance at love.

Director: Diarmuid Lawrence
Producer: Sue Birtwistle
Screenwriter: Andrew Davies
Production Co: Chestermead, Meridian Broadcasting, A&E Television Networks
Rating: TV-PG
Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 14, 2017
Runtime: 1h 47m

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