Based on Jane Austen’s novel, Mansfield Park, written by her in 1814, the film script of the 1999 production is written by Patricia Rozema – who is also the director.

 

Cinematography is by Michael Coulter, music is by Lesley Barber, and the editor is Martin Walsh. Miramax Films, BBC Films and HAL Films have produced Mansfield Park.

 

Though by the general consensus, the 1983 production of Mansfield Park is considered by far the best and truest adaptation, the one being reviewed now is also a fair piece of creativity. Fanny Price, played by Francis O’Connor does a worthy performance for her role. Harold Pinter as Sir Thomas Bertram plays his part well. Similarly, Johnny Lee Miller as the likable son of Sir Thomas Bertram, and dearly loved by Fanny Price is impressive. The part of Henry Crawford played by Alessandro Nivola as the frivolous, flirty type needs credit for his performance.

 

In Portsmouth, the poverty-ridden-scenes where Fanny Price was born and lived with her large family till the age of ten are heart wrenchingly real. Cinematography and music lend strength to the film.

 

The story cuts into the subjects of that time (around 1806) when men did not want to accept capable and intelligent women as their equals; Fanny Price was capable and intelligent, and was being ordered by her uncle Sir Thomas Bertrand to marry Henry Crawford – who she sees (rightly) as an accomplished and relentless flirt by nature.

 

The second aspect on which the film dwells is on the “black cargo…” meaning slavery – when abolishment movement was really getting the momentum.

 

The 112-minutes film is engrossing; it has conflict, romance, wit and it also shows the contrasting statuses of Fanny Price’s mother and her mother’s two sisters – Lady Bertram and Mrs Norris. Because of Price’s family poverty, Fanny is “given away…” sent to the estate of Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram.

 

The film transports the audience to the times of Jane Austin.  It keeps us thoroughly engrossed with the content of the story.

Geeta Chhabra