Penry-Jones' Wentworth

I found him to be quite stirring, suitable in this role - "magnificent" is a word that comes to mind (tho' perhaps a bit 'too much'). On satellite I can set up to a week ahead, and have all the showings programmed to come on - despite the fact that I ordered a copy through Amazon dot com and it came several days ago !
Sadly, probably won't see the other versions - scanned through the cast lists & saw the advertisements - and this version moves me too much to possibly dilute it with the others !

She has a bit of an "overbite" but it is endearing - and the mannerisms of the time portrayed by all very well - it is easy to dislike (hate) the selfish, self-centered ones - several I'd like to take and shake soundly !

KB in central Florida, USA

You said it much better ^^. It's true, Wentworth is supposed to be charming... Everyvody loves him! And RPJ's looks weren't enough... at least for me.

I thought it was only because I don't like blonde men :P

Annie, from Argentina

Do you think one has to be charming to be in command of a ship?

I agree with you that it is easier to imagine Ciarán Hinds commanding a ship than Rupert Penry-Jones (who looks even younger than he is), but for me it is easier to imagine Rupert Penry-Jones reading books and loving music. Penry-Jones gives the impression of a refined man, whereas IMO Hinds comes across as a rather down-to-earth character.

Yet, Capt. Wentworth has to be highly educated and to be interested in literature, for the narrator tells us about Anne and him: there could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved

And, after all, a down-to-earth character would hardly be so romantic as to be hopelessely in love with the same woman for more than eight years.

In Ciarán Hinds' case I found it hard to understand why he doesn't propose to Louisa Musgrove. He is exactly the kind of man who would be most happy to marry a Louisa Musgrove: a pretty young girl with a lively temper who laughs heartily about his Navy anecdotes. Why should he be looking for something more, for a bookish woman?

It is a pity that neither of the two screenplays gave Capt. Wentworth the chance to show this aspect of his personality, that he is an educated man who enjoys reading and who is able to have a conversation about subjects that could interest Anne:

"My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company."

So did I! Absolutely loved him!

He was only cold and bitter with Anne and her relatives who had convinced her to reject him. With everyone else, he was cheerful, unreserved and friendly--he's frequently described as such, and the Musgroves are quite taken with his friendly manner and good nature when they first meet him.

Come, we must press against the tide of naughtiness. Mind your step.

Your review is dead on, Marspeach.

I agree.

Ok, RPJ is less obviously robust looking, but he looked healthy and reasonably strong. I could imagine him working wonders with a quadrant and maps, and he'd keep reasonably calm in battle. You could rely on him through a storm. I could see him as a naval officer in the style of a Hornblower movie, for example, which is more about a battle of wits and applying the rulebook than battling pirates and smugglers, more CH version's department it would seem. And yes, it was more believable that Wentworth had other interests, books, music etc.

As for his supposed coldness, Anne remembers this confident, happy young chap, with an open mind and temper, but he is obviously more reserved now as an older and more mature person. He no longer clicks with a younger girl like Louisa - the scene at the Cobb shows how dangerous a relationship like that would be. He is also, as he freely admits later, angry and resentful with Anne, so tries to ignore her. He can't hide his actual kind and proactive nature though, such as when he arranges a ride for her etc. He is still thinking about her.

Sally Hawkins is theoretically good casting, but she does make her Anne a little gaspy and the costume departments perhaps don't quite succeed.

I've never seen the 1971 version so can't comment on that, but I loved RPJ as Wentworth. I can see why someone like Anne Elliot would fall for him. I can totally see him commanding a ship and leading in a battle. Perhaps he doesn't have the hardened look of someone who's been exposed to every weather-like CH, but on the other hand he's more believable as a man who likes books/music...
I like both RPJ and CH in the role, for different reasons, but I think I prefer RPJ overall: considering he had a worse script to work with, he did ok.