Anne Elliot was once in love with Frederick Wentworth, a commander in the Royal Navy who was rejected by her snobby parents eight years ago. When the family hits hard times and are forced to rent out their mansion to his brother-in-law, Frederick returns as a captain - but will he remember Anne?
Acting
Hawkins' silent suffering could teach masterclasses
Cinematography
Gritty Bath locations reject BBC prettiness
Writing
The letter scene restored with devastating restraint
Director
Adrian Shergold
Sally Hawkins
Anne Elliot
Rupert Penry-Jones
Captain Wentworth
Alice Krige
Lady Russell
Tobias Menzies
William Elliot
Anthony Stewart Head
Sir Walter Elliot
Julia Davis
Elizabeth Elliot
Michael Fenton Stevens
Mr. Shepherd
Mary Stockley
Mrs. Clay
Peter Wight
Admiral Croft
Marion Bailey
Mrs. Croft
Amanda Hale
Mary Musgrove
Jennifer Higham
Louisa Musgrove
Stella Gonet
Mrs. Musgrove
Sam Hazeldine
Charles Musgrove
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This adaptation controversially had characters kiss on screen—a first for Persuasion on film, scandalizing purists.
Hawkins based Anne's physicality on her own experience of social anxiety, making her the most embodied Austen heroine on screen.
GB
