16. Persuasion

In this episode we turn our attention to a 1995 adaptation (and for
Andy’s money the best adaptation) of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. It
stars Amanda Root, best known for the reboot of The Forsyte Saga,
as Anne Elliot who is apparently already an ‘old maid’ at 27!
Ciaran HInds (Game of Thrones’ Mance Rayder) plays dashing Captain
Wentworth, whose marriage proposal Anne previously turned down due
to the interference of Susan Fleetwood’s Lady Russell. Also among
the sterling cast are Killing Eve’s Fiona Shaw as Mrs Croft,
everyone’s favourite Marshal of Atrios, John Woodvine as Admiral
Croft, Sophie Thompson as Mary Musgrove, Corin Redgrave as Sir
Walter Elliot, Phoebe Nicholls as Elizabeth Elliot, and Samuel West
as Mr Elliot. There are also some lovely roles for Judy Cornwell,
David Collings, and Robert Glenister, and there’s not a duff
performance anywhere. Andy gives the production a ‘6’ on a new
scale he has created to judge Austen adaptations: The Bonnet Scale.
This by the way is good score on said scale. A 6 means its not too
bonnety - not too chocolate box and hearts and flowers, it having
something valuable and realistic to say about the historical period
as well as being a heartwarming story of unrequited love. It’s
Martin’s first watch of this adaptation or even much of 'crisis in
corsets' TV but he likes what he sees. In fact he watched it twice
in preparation for this podcast. Andy is reminded of his A-Levels
and studying the novel for English, but thankfully he does not read
out his lengthy essay from 1989 about Louisa’s all important
accident at the Cobb! Andy also reveals the reason for his lifelong
hatred of Bath, where it always rains. Talking of rain, ee also
consider the importance of umbrellas in period drama. And after 31
years Andy finally discovers why the name Captain Wentworth has
always sounded vaguely familiar to him. TV fans will not be
disappointed. We hope you continue to enjoy our little journey
through the British television archives and to almost quote Mary
Musgrove: “We’re very sorry if our podcast is insufficiently grand
for you!” Next Time: A Question of Attribution (by Alan Bennett)