MovieChat Forums > Jane Eyre (1971) Discussion > Which version of the DVD do I buy? Help!

Which version of the DVD do I buy? Help!

posted 18 years ago by Kathrynethegreat
13 replies | jump to latest

From what I have read on the boards here and at amazon, this version of Jane Eyre is in very poor condition, and due to the film actually being discarded, that any hope of getting a good quality DVD of this version is probably not ever going to happen.

Here is what I would like to know...I am looking to purchase this version despite its poor quality, but Amazon has several different releases of the 70 version available, all of them released from different studios, and some having different running times. Reviews on them are really quite hard to compare against one another. So - which version do I purchase? Are they all essentially the same despite their claims? Are some longer than others? I know all will be of poor quality, but is there a particular version that is not as bad as the others? Any input would be greatly appreciated! I have never seen this version of Jane Eyre, and am really looking forward to it, but don't want to make a mistake and buy it when there could be one of better quality out there.

In case anyone is interested in the different releases of this version, here they are. There are EIGHT of them! Talk about confusing!

This one, which is called the Platinum Edition

http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre-George-C-Scott/dp/B00005Q4ED/sr=1-12/qid=1169668679/ref=sr_1_12/102-1295325-2730569?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

This one, which is called the Critics Choice Edition, and claims to be digitally remastered.

http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre-1970/dp/B0009O9LWK/sr=1-9/qid=1169668565/ref=sr_1_9/102-1295325-2730569?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

And this one, which looks to be the same as the Platinum edition, but was released from a different studio, and claims to have a different running time.

http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre-George-C-Scott/dp/B00003ETOW/sr=1-31/qid=1169668924/ref=sr_1_31/102-1295325-2730569?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre/dp/B0007R4TAS/sr=1-7/qid=1169668226/ref=sr_1_7/102-1295325-2730569?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre/dp/B00005RHF8/sr=1-11/qid=1169668565/ref=sr_1_11/102-1295325-2730569?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre-George-C-Scott/dp/B0000YEE7Q/sr=1-14/qid=1169668738/ref=sr_1_14/102-1295325-2730569?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre/dp/B000296P2G/sr=1-17/qid=1169668738/ref=sr_1_17/102-1295325-2730569?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre-Delbert-Mann/dp/B000EG74FY/sr=1-21/qid=1169668858/ref=sr_1_21/102-1295325-2730569?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

[–] denisatoronto 18 years ago

Kathryn,

I saw this production on television when I was just a young kid. I was so impressed with it that I managed to record the voice track on my audio cassette recorder (consumer video tape hadn't yet been conceived) and I purchased the music score as a vinyl LP).

As an adult, I later searched for years to find a video version of this production, but I eventually gave up. I'd been told by a studio rep that the print had been lost.

I've seen most of the other productions of Jane Eyre, but none has impressed me as much as the 1971 version.

I was very excited by stumbling onto your message which listed all the various versions currently available. I'm also appreciative of the fact that you've also made me aware that many of these have been pulled together from damaged, salvaged film remnances. Because of this I became aware that many of the DVDs are of terrible quality.

I was wondering if you'd managed to find a satisfactory copy – or perhaps been able to narrow your choice down to the least damaged version.

In any case, thank you for all your footwork in gathering up all the possible choices. I for one, am very appreciative.

[–] pierce-mn1 12 years ago

Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books. I share a birthday with Charlotte Bronte. If you're going to get the story on film, this one isn't terrible. Scott is just fine as Rochester and York is a feisty Jane. However, having said that, the Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles version is terrific, and very faithful to the book.

I think, though, the mini-series, with Toby Stephens as Rochester is the best. It covers the book so well and is beautifully presented. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, bother with the most recent version. It is not faithful to the story and throws in some ridiculous moments.

The casting of the 1943 is intriguing, too. Elizabeth Taylor is Helen Burns and Margaret O'Brien is Adele.

You decide,but those are my recommendations.

[–] BrentReid 11 years ago

Way to be irrelevant, pierce-mn1. The OP is asking for advice on sourcing a decent copy of the 1970 version & others have responded appropriately.

If you want to weigh in with your unasked-for opinions of the relative merits & otherwise, of the various versions, either start a new thread or visit one of the innumerable other sites & forums discussing just that...

I too would love to find a decent copy of the version at hand, but folk like you always seem to crop up when I ask specific questions on other boards.
Think about it: if someone asked you for directions to a specific place, would you reply "I don't know where that is, but instead, here are directions to some other places I know!"?

[–] lostwillyum 18 years ago

I got the Guillotine Films version and it's a pretty crisp fullscreen version with no extras but for the price of 3 for $5.00 It was a pretty sweet deal.

[–] YoPec 17 years ago

The DVD I have is awful. Several scenes have been cut and the video quality is "dirty". I understand that the original film has been lost which is a damn shame as this is one of my favorite versions of Jane Eyre. (Scott is the perfect Mr Rochester!) If anyone fines a decent copy--prefer DVD but will settle for VHS--please let me know the manufacturer, etc so I can get it!!!!

When all else fails, read the instructions!

[–] jgwmbw 17 years ago

Where did you find the Guillotine studio dvd?
Thank you.

[–] zimmermanel 17 years ago

I found a DVD at the Dollar Store made by Movie Classics and digitally remastered. It is very dark and somewhat difficult to see.Some scenes are missing like the scene where Adele opens her "cadeau" from Rochester when he first returns, but they don't impair the overall feel of the film.

[–] cookiela2001 14 years ago

<< Some scenes are missing like the scene where Adele opens her "cadeau" from Rochester when he first returns >>

In the version I have, she begins to untie the box, and Rochester interupts her to send her upstairs. The scene then continues between him and Jane.

Do you mean there's a later scene where Adele is shown opening the present?

[–] domra 17 years ago

I am looking for a decent edition of this DVD, but in Region 2. Is there anyone out there who can recommend one to buy?
/E 8-)

[–] Madyas 13 years ago

I have the same problem....totally confused as to which DVD to buy, since all of them are horrible. My VHS (which took me forever to originally find) is finally giving out. The characters' faces are 'mirrored' or white and you can't even make out human faces. The sound is also getting garbled, and that is one of my favorite pieces of music. This is one of my most favorite versions of JE and has been ever since it came out. I am SO bummed out to hear the original was lost. I wonder if a company like Criterion could use old copies of VHS, etc. and put together some kind of restoration and if so, how could we get them to consider it? Also, I too wonder which of all the 'bad' DVDs would be the best to get, just so I can have something instead of nothing.

Thank you! peggy

[–] yuanxinck1 11 years ago

Apparently there are 2 kinds of DVD of this movie:

1. the one with runtime of 99 mins: very bad quality! Far too dark, 6 scenes are missing or cut short

2. the one with runtime of 107/108 mins: good quality, clear, all the missing scenes are there (not like the rumor goes, fortunately!!)

Attention: the DVD of only 99 mins runtime may not say so on the package!

[–] whoanelly (1592) 4 years ago

Good to know! I picked up the 108-minute one today from the free box at the library. This is my first time viewing this version.

[–] fa7999 8 years ago

This is really my personal favorite Jane Eyre. The two lead performances are fantastic. The John Williams sound track is absolutely perfect.

This was an extremely popular film in China. I am pretty sure that you can find a film copy there. Maybe someone can make an effort and do a full restoration of this marvelous film?

Scott is the best Rochester and I have seen at least 5-6 versions of Jane Eyre.