Project Detail

Mansfield Park

Synopsis

Jane Austen's novel, Mansfield Park, is combined with some of her comically surreal teenage writings, her letters and various biographical and historical details to construct the passionate story of a decadent, aristocratic family as seen through the eyes of one of their playthings: a young cousin, Fanny Price, dropped into their midst but always reminded she will never be their class equal.

When a highly desirable and well-established young man, Henry Crawford, seeks her hand in marriage, the family is overjoyed. But she refuses him and is consequently sent back to her achingly poor and overcrowded "home" in Portsmouth. She longs for the one person who is forbidden to her: Edmund, the idealistic second son who has been her ally and soulmate since she first arrived at Mansfield Park as a little girl. But he is on the verge of marriage to Henry's teasingly enticing sister, Mary. Henry follows Fanny to Portsmouth. If she continues to refuse her wealthy and not unattractive suitor, she risks certain poverty and isolation.

The ensuing ardent entanglements are played out against the subtle backdrop of the slave trade which we are reminded is "paying for the party" at Mansfield Park.

Details

Year: 1999
Type of film: Features
Format: 35mm
Director: Patricia Rozema
Producer: David Aukin, Trea Hoving, Colin Leventhal, David M. Thompson, Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein
Director of Photography: Michael Coulter BSc
Principal cast: Frances O'Connor, Jonny Lee Miller, Alesandro Nivola, Embeth Davidtz, Harold Pinter
Executive Screen Writer: Patricia Rozema

Genre

Woman Director Drama

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Miramax/Hal and BBC Films c/o Miramax International Elsley House 24-30 Great Titchfield Street London W1P 7AD Tel: 020 7735 8333 Fax: 020 7735 8334

Sales Company

Miramax International as Production Company

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