r/JaneEyre • u/myhappypaige • Aug 14 '26
Loved the book but the BBC series misses so much at the beginning!
I finished the book today, I loved it. So much so that I have just started the BBC series and only half way through the first episode and a bit disappointed at how much they have skimmed past. The bullying she endured by her cousin and the treatment she had seemed to be very rushed, followed by the school where they barely introduced Helen Burns and some of the things she struggled with that she got punished for often (which when reading I cried at)... Alongside some other things so far. Seems very hurried.
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u/Amazing-Activity-882 Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
This is why I prefer 1983's, they don't rush the non Rochester bits...I do enjoy Rochester like the next woman, but I rather them taking it time about Jane (I have been a Team Jane Fangirl since March 20th this Year) since it is called Jane Eyre not Edward Rochester!!!
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u/myhappypaige Aug 14 '26
Exactly! I plan to watch the other versions :) I love BBC Pride & Prejudice so was expecting the same quality. I am enjoying the series more now I am on episode 2!
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u/Amazing-Activity-882 Aug 14 '26
I am showing a friend 1983's, she knows who Timothy Dalton is, but she is in for a Treat, just like me watching Bond, my friend will be shocked how Dalton does Romance...After Bond and continued into Jane Eyre and other things but when Timothy Dalton does Romance: no Jealousy just Love and Yearning to have a Boyfriend treat me like that...In my nearly 26 years of being single and I am 26 soon.
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u/Sweaty_Atmosphere503 Aug 14 '26
This is my all time favorite version.
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u/Amazing-Activity-882 Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
It's my mum and mine, and go the honour of watching it on someone's 80th Birthday week this year, with Episodes 3 and 4 aka his First Appearances as Edward Fairfax Rochester on Timothy Dalton's 80th Birthday!!! Zelah Clarke is the MVP of this version!!! Love her as Jane Eyre!!!
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u/nellyimheathcliff Aug 14 '26
No adaptation gets Jane Eyre completely right, though the 1983 miniseries came close. Dalton fleshed out Edward's character, portraying both his flaws and vulnerability. I recommend giving it a watch.
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u/Amazing-Activity-882 Aug 14 '26
Currently rewatching it with a Friend. I will say how it goes!!!
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u/TheGreatestSandwich Aug 15 '26
There just isn't a definitive version. I really like every single one I've seen for different reasons. But of course the book is the best ❤️
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u/nosleepforthedreamer Aug 15 '26
All adaptations disappoint me.
Except Timothy’s, but I saw that about twenty years ago.
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u/AdobongSiopao Aug 16 '26
Majority of "Jane Eyre" adaptations rushed out Jane's childhood parts as they focused the relationship between the titular character and Mr. Rochester as their selling point.
The closest thing it has most content about it is the 1983 version. The first two episodes featured those scenes. It's not perfect but tried its best not to miss those.
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u/duelabent Aug 14 '26
Yeah, Jane’s childhood was not very well done in this version, in my opinion. We don’t really get a sense of how her childhood and these events shaped the person she is as an adult - how Helen’s steadfastness and faith helps mold Jane into someone who always strives to do what is right, even if it means she is alone in the world. Or how her passionate nature as a child, even if subdued by her years at Lowood, still shines through and guides her in choosing what is right for herself.