Jane Eyre Adaptation Comparison #3: The Second Conversation

"You examine me, Miss Eyre. Do you think me handsome?"
"No, sir."

[@anitaswedberg8895]

This scene establishes the intellectual flirtation between Jane and Rochester before the conversation bogs down into the mire of Rochester’s sullied past. So, I like the movie versions that bring out the smiles between them. Despite all its deviations from the book, the 2006 version probably interprets this feeling the best. In fact, even though I’m a purist at heart, I must admit that the deviations in this script definitely contribute to the atmosphere and the character development. For example, it starts the conversation with the line, “Sit!” “Not you, Pilot!”, which I think is hilarious. And, as a bonus, it takes a minute to begin the scene in the library where Jane is borrowing a book and so contrast the selfish, bully, John Reed (who had beaten Jane rather than allow her to read the books in the library) with Rochester who, underneath the gruff exterior, is considerate and liberal.

[@TexasRoadTrip123]

Jerome - you did a lot of work on this comparison. Thank you!

[@annnee6818]

I love love love these scene comparisons. I'm only missing the 1970 and 1934 adaptations in my brain library so I can follow everything which is nice.

[@valkyriesardo278]

I think you miss a more important point to the question "Do you think me handsome?" Rochester is forcing the conversation to a level of intimacy. It is wildly inappropriate for that culture and their station. He is a man of wealth and position. Jane is a menial without either. They live in a class conscious society where people do not marry outside their class. One does not make remarks about personal appearance even within one's own circle. Rochester speaks to Jane as though she is his peer and even a potential mate. His question is more shocking than her reply and he is suitably rebuffed.

[@carybaxter274]

A very good observation.

[@michelledickson8058]

I am so happy to have found your videos. Someone who loves Jane Eyre as much as I do! 1973 is my favorite version, followed by 2006, but I find aspects to enjoy in most of them. Thank you for sharing your insights. Very well done, and entertaining too!

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you!

[@GoGreen1977]

Speaking of handsome, Timothy Dalton melted and broke my heart in the 1970 version of "Wuthering Heights". He was gorgeous.

[@cellowali2865]

Forgive me but Timothy Dalton seriously had way too girlish facial features in wuthering heights, he was young and his features were developing but yes his looks were exotic. I think he looks handsome and dashing in Jane Eyre and also in his first bond movie ' The living daylights', he aged gracefully.

[@Icetor01]

These comparisons are great, and I love how they highlight different acting/directing/thematic choices among the different versions.

[@Weiselberry]

Thanks!

[@ConstanzeWeber]

Love your reviews!! Can't believe though that in 1983 and 1997 Rochester has the EXACT SAME CHAIR!!!! (Did someone notice that already and I'm just being slow??) I think Timothy filled it best though, sorry Ciaran!!

[@Weiselberry]

I DID NOT NOTICE! :o

[@CarlB_1962]

I really like Michael Jayston's Rochester. He portrays Rochester's combination of arrogance and likeability so well imo.

[@annnee6818]

I like him too. He nails the humorous exchanges they have so well

[@winterburden]

Your Jane Eyre adaptation comparisons are the best! Including an explanation of the difference between conventionally handsome and smoking hot was especially helpful :)

[@Weiselberry]

Haha, thanks! Glad you found that beneficial. :D

[@supergran1000]

I agree. St John, with his fair hair and skin, blue eyes, Grecian profile and tall, slender build is held up as the 1830s ideal of male beauty. We would probably think him a bit effeminate now. Rochester is the opposite - but today we would consider him to be rugged and all-male (well, I would)! I think it might be an indicator of "breeding". Tanned skin and muscles would signify that one was a member of the working class - to be avoided at all costs! :)

[@Weiselberry]

Excellent point! Thanks for pointing that out.

[@natsch578]

My two favorite versions of Jane Eyre are the 1973 and 2006 so I'm really happy they were some of your favorites! In 1973 my favorite part in the whole movie is this scene specifically the chair 😂

[@Weiselberry]

Ha, that's great! :D

[@cellowali2865]

My favorite line in the book " Dread remorse when you attempted to err, remorse is the poison of life Repentance is said to be it's cure, no it's not reformation maybe." Here " remorse" and " repentance" are synonyms of each other, so that's the reason Rochester corrects jane and says it's not repentance, reformation maybe. I translated this whole conversation in my own language to understand the meaning and it's really beautifully written line. Instead of regretting over past mistakes, we should improve and reform ourself. That's the reason why I love when any adaptation actually use lines from the novel instead of inventing new ones as all these conversations and lines have deep meaning. ❤️💞 Though I don't have problem with new lines or newly invented scene.

[@barbarabrown7974]

I love the 1973 version when she moves the chair back a second time when he turns away, and then has to move it back again.

[@scott09g96]

These reviews are fun to watch. Interesting to see the bits that remain consistent with the book, as well as variations between the film adaptations. I found myself doing something similar with Les Miserables (book vs movie/ movie vs movie.) Though I've seen (and enjoyed) a couple of the Jane Eyre movies, I'll sheepishly admit I haven't read the book yet. Might have to so that my comments can hold water.

[@Weiselberry]

Glad to hear you're liking them, even though you haven't read the book. I'm actually impressed: these are pretty long in-depth videos to sit through if you're not as familiar with or interested in the material! Now I'm curious: which versions have you seen?

[@scott09g96]

Jerome Weiselberry I've seen the 1970 adaptation with George C. Scott and the 1997 with Samantha Morton. I also went and saw the 2011 version with Michael Fassbender in at a local theater that usually plays foreign or independent films. I've enjoyed each of them. Didn't realize that Orson Wells or Timothy Dalton were also in other versions until watching these reviews; would like to see them as well. Of all that you have reviewed though, which would you recommend most?

[@rocren6246]

Among the 3 versions I have on my HDD (1943, 1996, 2011), I'd rec the 1996's.

[@Weiselberry]

Wellllll, I'm of the opinion that each one has some merit and deserves to be checked out at least once. :D But I usually recommend 1983 or 2006 as the most faithful, satisfying adaptations of the story. They're both four hours long, though, as is 1973, so they do require a time commitment. Hey, if you watch one of those, then you'll have seen half the adaptations! (Not including 1934, which I often forget about.)

[@scott09g96]

Jerome Weiselberry I can see your point in giving every version their respective merrit. Thats fair. Thanks for the recommedation to the two that are most true to the source material. Ill have to see if one of the libraries around here has one of these copies. I've got time to commit at least three evenings a week. Ill see what I can find :)

[@kaylanash3588]

Like many I suppose, the second conversation is my favorite of Jane and Mr. Rochester's first three conversations. What Jane Eyre fan doesn't like Mr. Rochester's "Do you think me handsome?" line and Jane's knee jerk reaction. I love how it plays out in 2006 the best with Mr. Rochester's sense of humor showing through and Jane's honesty and willingness to sit there and talk and listen. Another thing I especially loved is when Jane tried to apologize for looking at his books without his permission and he brushes her off with the comment saying she is an independent and intelligent woman who shouldn't need to ask to look at the books. In this instance 2006 just hits all the right notes for me. Most of the others played this scene well too, but 2006 wil always hold a special place in my heart.

[@Weiselberry]

Yes, I think you're right about it being the universal favorite of the three. And I agree, the book thing was a nice extra touch.

[@happierabroad]

The Orson Wells version of Jane Eyre was the best I think, most emotional and touching.

[@rocren6246]

I like your description lines 😄

[@rosasutubechannel]

You should make a( v )or (/ )for half credit. For people who would more interested in the shoter movies after picking your favorite (Almost always a mini series for ovious reasons) instead of the next one you like (ushually another mini series ) you should mention your favoritish out of the movies. You do a really great job with these by the way. I had actually tried to do spmething simmilar for myself... but it was just WAY TO MUCH. Thank you for all the work.

[@pamelahall517]

I always look forward to this scene in any adaptation and I actually like all of them for different reasons. 1944 was my intro to Jane Eyre and I do like the exchange between them here. It had plenty of good dialog and playfulness. 1970 was nice except for the broken glass thing. I even enjoyed the 1997 one as its kind of interesting and Rochester is talking normally and not bombastically as usual! For pure beauty the 1996 movie was wonderful. I liked the shadow and light talk and I really like Hurt and Gainsbourg very much in this whole version. I give the movies more slack because they 'can't take the time the ministries can. 2011 was sort of dark to me but I too liked the pieces of dialog they incorporated. Normally, I like to hear Bronte speak in adaptations and 1973 and 1983 excel in this. Though I feel 1973 is more faithful , I enjoy the actors more in 1983. And in spite of the altered dialog of 2006 it was really nice and I love the altered dialog a lot. They are an endearing pair for sure. Thanks for all your hard work on this though at this time I'm talking to future you!

[@annnee6818]

Timothy Dalton not conventionally handsome?! Ooookaaaayyy...😆

[@ditsashihurkar4913]

Actually he is conventionally handsome but not in Jane Eyre, the horrible make-up and weird hairstyles do make him some what ugly, but still there are some scenes in which he looks absolutely gorgeous despite the pathetic makeup.

[@maryannangros7538]

Timothy Dalton is both conventional handsomeAND smoking hot

[@valkyriesardo278]

It is difficult to dislike any film adaptation of the Jane Eyre novel. I love Welles, Scott, and Dalton as Rochester. William Hurt rubs me the wrong way no matter what he does. My only quibble with York's effort is that she is too beautiful to look the part, no matter how well she might play it.

[@annnee6818]

Same goes for drop dead gorgeous Fontaine.

[@TheStarflight41]

Samantha Morton does such a fine portrayal of Jane Eyre I'm stuck with the 1997 version despite its flaws. And it's too condensed. Deserved a bigger budget. Maybe Rochester warming his butt by the fire was his excuse to get closer to her. What I do like is at the the end of the scene you can tell Rochester, who has known many women, is already smitten with her, and how she comports herself... with much dignity. She is a survivor. This Jane Eyre already see's herself as an equal before the eyes of God. She is smart and well spoken. Not meek and mild yet still (am I allowed to say this?) feminine. That's right... I said feminine. It's actually Bronte's very spiritual nature coming out here. I think this is very important... it is so obvious in the book. 'You are a rare breed Miss Eyre" says Rochester. "Thank you Mr. Rochester... I will take that as a complement" as she wryly smiles. nods her head politely, and looks away. There is movement in the direction of love in this all too short scene... so it works for me. First rate acting all around.. even Timia (Adelle) is perfect in this fine adaptation. The final scene is again, condensed, but it is peerless when it comes to unadulterated passion. It has real impact. So from a mans point of view I can picture wanting to marry Jane myself... and that's what it really comes down to. Just my 2 cents..

[@SibyllaCumana]

Well said!

[@rachelport3723]

I was wondering how you were going to do these next conversations, since the adaptations don't all have them and sometimes combine parts of 1 and 2 or 2 and 3 into one scene. But I'm glad you're sticking with the way the book goes. I think Timothy Dalton and Toby Stephens far to good looking (even conventionally handsome) for that bit to work, fond as I am of the 1983 version. At least Stephens has the long hair and slightly Byronic look. The two from the 1990's are just too unlike the book for me. I'm a musician and I like opera. In some styles of opera the singers are allowed/expected to embellish and improvise what was written. There's a story about Rossini attending a rehearsal of one of his operas. After the diva delivers her very ornamented killer aria she asks him, Maestro, did you like that? He answered "Very much - who wrote it?" In some of these versions I find myself feeling the same way.

[@Weiselberry]

I wasn't sure either! But I'm using the book as my guide, so everything gets compared against that standard. It just will get a little confusing in the next one when I'm trying to remember which version covered which parts of the conversation in a previous--or a subsequent--scene! Interesting to hear your thoughts! I feel the same way about a couple of them, but I'm trying to find merit in each, in spite of occasional mind-boggling changes.

[@rachelport3723]

Well, as you know by now, I compare everything always to the book. :) What bothers me most in some adaptations is that they actually change Jane's and Rochester's personalities, and I feel like, if you do that, what's the point? Just call it something else! I put 1970 and the two from the 1990's in that category. By the way, I just read Juliet Barker's biography of the whole Bronte family, and it's fascinating and very well done.

[@supergran1000]

I've just bought that biography from a second-hand bookstall, Rachel! Haven't got round to reading it, though. I HAVE read Claire Harman's biography of Charlotte. It's very good. I saw Claire Harman two years ago in London. I attended a BBC World Service broadcast of "World Book Club" discussing Jane Eyre, and the writers Harman and Tracy Chevalier were there. It's available to listen to on the BBC World Service website if you want to hear it. :)

[@rachelport3723]

I read Mrs. Gaskell, and parts of Guerin's biographies of Charlotte and Emily. Barker makes a strong case against much of Gaskell's basic premise. And it reads like a novel. She shows a Patrick so different from the myth.

[@carybaxter274]

I enjoy most of the adaptations because I am a passionate fan of the original story, but I definitely prefer the 1997 version to all others because Samantha Morton is the finest actress alive. In 1997, they squeezed the classic into 108 minutes, but they did so with utmost brilliance. I like Mr. Rochester in 1997 just fine, and the housekeeper's part is some of the best acting on screen. I also enjoy the 2006 version, especially Ruth Wilson. Most actors will flub passages and make them dull and boring, but Samantha Morton infuses emotion, power and meaning into all her scenes. She touches me repeatedly.

[@barbarabrown7974]

A couple of the creepiest lines are the "I have a right to get pleasure out of life: and I will get it, cost what it may." And, " If I can get sweet, fresh pleasure." Umm, Jane, I think you're going to be the "pleasure."