Charlotte Brontë Movies

Screen newcomer Ruth Wilson assumes the role of Charlotte Brontë's eponymous heroine in director Susanna White and screenwriter Sandy Welch's adaptation of the classic 1847 novel. Jane Eyre is a plain but spirited woman who leaves behind the cruel confines of a charity home to work as a governess for the enigmatic Edward Rochester (Toby Stephens). The master of Thornfield Hall, Rochester hires Jane to watch over the young Adele. As a series of increasingly strange occurrences begin to unfold in Thornfield Hall's North Tower, the young governess attempts to maintain her virtue while entering into a soulful relationship with her unrepentantly lecherous employer. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director Franco Zeffirelli stresses emotional realism over gothic chills in this restrained adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic. The screenplay, by Zeffirelli and Hugh Whitmore, remains relatively faithful to the original story, beginning with a condensed look at the troubled childhood of young Jane (Anna Paquin) and her mistreatment by a cruel aunt (Fiona Shaw). The bulk of the film centers on Jane as an adult (Charlotte Gainsbourg), a prim governess who accepts a position at Thornfield Hall caring for the young Adele (Josephine Serre). There Jane also must deal with the estate's head, Edward Rochester (William Hurt), a mysteriously brooding yet oddly alluring older man. She finds herself drawn to Rochester, but their potential romance is threatened by Jane's fears and Rochester's internal torment. Rather than the spooky visuals of earlier adaptations, Zeffirelli and cinematographer David Watkins opt for a subdued gloominess, placing emphasis on Gainsbourg's and Hurt's wounded portrayals. Fans of the gothic will likely find Zeffirelli's interpretation anemic in comparison to the passionate 1944 version with Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles, though others may appreciate the more naturalistic and faithful approach. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

This 1973 production of the renowned novel by Charlotte Brontë features Sorcha Cusack as the title character, a young woman who goes to work for the mysterious Mr. Rochester (Michael Jayston). She notices that something strange is going on in the house, but since he does not allow her to enter certain areas, it is difficult for her to uncover the truth. As her feelings toward Rocheser begin to change into something more serious, she fears what secrets he is keeping from her. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

This filmed stage play of Charlotte Bronte's novel features an orphaned governess who begins to love her married employer in 19th century England. ~ Rovi

Director Robert Stevenson collaborated with novelist Aldous Huxley and theatrical-producer John Houseman on the screenplay for this 1944 adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's gothic romance Jane Eyre. After several harrowing years in an orphanage, where she was placed by a supercilious relative for exhibiting the forbidden trait of "willfulness," Jane Eyre (Joan Fontaine) secures work as a governess. Her little charge, French-accented Adele (Margaret O'Brien), is pleasant enough. But Jane's employer, the brooding, tormented Edward Rochester (Orson Welles), terrifies the prim young governess. Under Jane's gentle influence, Rochester drops his forbidding veneer, going so far as to propose marriage to Jane. But they are forbidden connubial happiness when it is revealed that Rochester is still married to a gibbering lunatic whom he is forced to keep locked in his attic. Rochester reluctantly sends Jane away, but she returns, only to find that the insane wife has burned down the mansion and rendered Rochester sightless. In the tradition of Victorian romances, this purges Rochester of any previous sins, making him a worthy mate for the loving Jane. The presence of Orson Welles in the cast (he receives top billing), coupled with the dark, Germanic style of the direction and photography, has led some impressionable cineasts to conclude that Welles, and not Stevenson, was the director. To be sure, Welles contributed ideas throughout the filming; also, the script was heavily influenced by the Mercury Theater on the Air radio version of Jane Eyre, on which Welles, John Houseman and musical director Bernard Herrmann all collaborated. But Jane Eyre was made at 20th Century-Fox, a studio disinclined to promote the auteur theory; like most Fox productions, this is a work by committee rather than the product of one man. This in no way detracts from the overall excellence of the film; of all adaptations of Jane Eyre (it had previously been filmed in 1913, 1915 and 1921, and has been remade several times since), this 1943 version is one of the best. Keep an eye out for an uncredited Elizabeth Taylor as the consumptive orphanage friend of young Jane Eyre (played as child by Peggy Ann Gardner). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hugo Ballin directed his wife Mabel Ballin in this slow and unmoving adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's oft-filmed novel. Jane Eyre (Mabel Ballin) is sent to an orphanage because her aunt hates her willful nature. Now that she is a young woman, she is sent to the home of Fairfax Rochester (Norman Trevor) to become governess to his ward, Adele (June Ellen Terry). At first the moody Rochester is cool towards Jane, but eventually he falls deeply in love with her. They plan to marry, but at the church, Mason (John Webb Dillon) appears and reveals that Rochester is already married to his sister (Elizabeth Meriens). Because Mrs. Rochester has become hopelessly insane, she has been hidden away for many years. Jane leaves Rochester, and not long after, his wife burns down the house. Mrs. Rochester dies in the fire, and Rochester is blinded. When Jane hears the news, she goes to him. The couple make up and are reunited. Eventually Rochester's sight returns. This silent film doesn't come close to the 1944 Orson Wells/Joan Fontaine version of the novel. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi