Sense & Sensibility (BBC) ~ DVD

Jane Austen's romantic novel, Sense and Sensibility centres around two devoted sisters, Elinor, whose dignity and restraint represents 'sense' and the excitable and impetuous Marianne, representing 'sensibility'. The story arises from the death of Mr Dashwood who, because of legal constraints must leave his entire estate to his son, and thereby leave his second wife and their three daughters penniless and without dowries. Given the times, the women cannot inherit wealth nor are they allowed to earn money and are forced to set about the delicate task of finding suitable husbands. Filmed on location in the stately homes of picturesque Dorset and Somerset, this superb BBC production portrays the young womens' dilemma with all the wit and humour of Austen's celebrated novel while capturing beautifully the spirit and atmosphere of life in rural Georgian England.