MovieChat Forums > Sense and Sensibility (1981) Discussion > Willoughby or Brandon

Willoughby or Brandon

posted 16 years ago by maytloo
12 replies | jump to latest

I've been reading the board for the 1995 Emma Thompson version, and one of the more interesting threads was who would you prefer: Willoughby or Colonel Brandon? I found Willoughby's confession scene touching, but what he did to Colonel Brandon's daughter was really despicable. That said, Marianne seemed to really love him (?) and it did seem she was 'settling' for Colonel Brandon. My choice: neither-despite the fact that he was openly engaged to one woman, secretly engaged to a second woman-Lucy Steele, and he ends up falling in love and marrying a third woman-Elinor, my choice would would be Edward. What says the board?

[–] Julie-30 16 years ago

Brandon was Elizabeth's guardian, not her father.

I did not find Willoughby's confession scene touching. The man wishes his wife dead. I don't find that touching or romantic or anything pleasant.

She does not 'settle' for Brandon. She doesn't marry him on the rebound. She marries him a couple of years later -- several years after Elinor and Edward marry.

Who is the first woman Edward is "openly" engaged to? His mother wants him to be engaged to Miss Morton, but I don't believe there is ever anything official between them, and can't think of anyone else you might be referring to.

[–] maytloo 16 years ago

First, there was a line in the mini about the girl (sorry I forgot her name) being Colonel Brandon's 'natural daughter'. I inferred from that he was her real father.

Second, I don't think that the part about Willoughby wishing his wife dead was in his confession in this mini although I've read elsewhere that it was in the book.

Third, the mini-series ended rather abruptly in Barton House (?). Since I haven't a chance to read the book yet, I didn't know when Marianne married Col. Brandon.

Last, I thought the Ferrars family expected Edward to marry Miss Morton, and that's why Mrs. Ferrars disinherited him after they heard about his secret engagement to Miss Steele.

[–] Julie-30 16 years ago

Mrs. Jennings says that Elizabeth is Brandon's natural daughter. But Mrs. Jennings' saying it doesn't make it so. It's not. Brandon is her guardian.

Willoughby wishes his wife dead in the book:

"I must rub through the world as well as I can. Domestic happiness is out of the question. If, however, I am allowed to think that you and yours feel an interest in my fate and actions, it may be the means -- it may put me on my guard -- at least, it will be something to live for. Marianne, to be sure, is lost to me for ever. Were I even, by any blessed chance, at liberty again -- "

This "blessed chance" would, of course, be the death of his wife. Nothing else (except his wife's adultery) would ever allow him to be "at liberty again."

Yes, the mini-series did end at Barton but, as we see a few seconds later, Elinor and Edward are already married and established in the parsonage.

We agree that the Ferrars family "expected" Edward to marry Miss Morton, but that does not mean they were ever officially engaged (they were not). Edward would never have made a public engagement while still having a secret one. In that time, engagements were almost as hard to get out of as a marriage, so no sane man would get himself entangled in 2 engagements.

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[–] Sofistali 12 years ago

No-no-no-no... Willoughby does indeed indicate that "if I were ever again to be at liberty" and Elinor cuts him off reprovingly.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Sofistali 14 years ago

I found this Colonel Brandon far more appealing than Alan Rickman's version. I think he's a great actor with a great voice, I just don't find him physically appealing in any way, whereas this fellow had a bit more going for him. And this Willoughby (unlike the very sexy Greg Wise version) is rather an effete little vampire. Funny, the actor who played him looks better now that he's 50s and bald. More manly.

[–] BaronessFC-209-740835 11 years ago

Robert Swann would have suited me, very well. Everyone praises his voice which is lush. But I also thought him handsome. The way he moved caught me as well.

[–] BaronessFC-209-740835 11 years ago

Here come a more experienced voice to the settling for Colonel Brandon...not at all! The Colonel was a kindred sole of Marianne Dagwood. A man on love with romance and allowing a young woman to indulge all her feminine senses as being perfectly normal. That takes a man with a generous heart, a throughly understanding soul, strong in his masculinity to let her be soft.

[–] whoanelly (1592) 4 years ago

Definitely Brandon! Willoughby is such a snake!