The Most Unique Jane Austen Adaptations

By Anita Tai. 21 Feb 2020 7:20 AM

Adaptations of Jane Austen’s famous novels have run the gamut, from zombies to plastic surgery. In celebration of the release of the film “Emma” on Friday, Feb. 21, here are some of the most creative Austen adaptations that have bewitched us.

Photo: Paramount Pictures

Photo: Pemberly Digital

Photo: Image Entertainment

Photo: Giles Keyte/Sony Pictures Classics

Photo: Sony Pictures Classics

Photo: Jay Maidment/CTMG

Photo: Miramax

Photo: Miramax Films

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'Clueless'
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Ugh, as if we could forget this iconic adaptation of Austen’s 'Emma'. The classic '90s film stars Alicia Silverstone as the Beverly Hills counterpart to the Regency-era character. The ridiculous aristocratic airs translate perfectly into teenage Hollywood hijinks – and the movie is so quotable, too.
'Emma Approved'
Photo: Pemberly Digital
This web series comes from the same minds behind “The Lizzie Bennet Diaries” but adapts 'Emma' this time. The modern story unfolds through a series of vlogs. Emma Woodhouse is an ambitious entrepreneur who turns to life-coaching and matchmaking as her latest pursuit. In typical "Emma" fashion this leads to a world of comedy and trouble.
'Lost In Austen'
Photo: Image Entertainment
In the vein of wishful fan-fulfilment, this British miniseries has modern-day Austen fan Amanda transported magically into her favourite novel 'Pride and Prejudice' in the place of the sassy heroine Elizabeth Bennet.
'Austenland'
Photo: Giles Keyte/Sony Pictures Classics
What Jane Austen fan doesn’t wish they could go through their very own novel experience? In 2013’s “Austenland”, Keri Russell’s obsessive character Jane Hayes does. She pays for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of living as a Jane Austen heroine in an Austen theme park. This romantic comedy both pokes fun at all the tropes of Austen’s novels while being a loving tribute to all the things fans love about her stories.
'The Jane Austen Book Club'
Photo: Sony Pictures Classics
While “The Jane Austen Book Club” is more a loose adaptation of all of Austen’s novels, as opposed to one particular work. The 2007 movie stars Emily Blunt in an ensemble cast of Austen book fans who form a book club to read the author’s works. The club members, however, slowly come to find their lives resembling the stories they’re reading.
‘Pride And Prejudice And Zombies’
Photo: Jay Maidment/CTMG
It is a truth universally acknowledged that all movies could do with a little more zombie action – at least that’s the idea behind this adaptation of the classic novel 'Pride and Prejudice'. The 2016 film stars Lily James opposite Sam Riley as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. This time, however, they have to fight through the battlefields of the living dead, as well as the battlefield of social etiquette.
‘Becoming Jane’
Photo: Miramax
While not strictly an adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, this 2007 film imagines the life of the famous author. It is more embellishment than accurate, but with the steamy romance between Anne Hathaway’s Jane and James McAvoy’s Tom, it’s forgivable.
‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’
Photo: Miramax Films
This 2001 film is loosely based on Austen’s 'Pride and Prejudice'. It imagines the novel’s characters in a modern setting with the titular character Bridget, played by Renée Zellweger, as an employee of a publishing company. The dreamy Mr. Darcy is re-imagined as a standoffish lawyer. “Bridget Jones” earned Zellweger wide critical acclaim.

The Most Unique Jane Austen Adaptations

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