Bronte's JANE EYRE

Charlotte Bronte was born in 1816. She was the third daughter of an Anglican minister, the Rev. Patrick Bronte. Her mother, Maria, died when Charlotte was only four years old. Her father was a strict disciplinarian. She, her sisters Ann and Emily, and her Byronic-like brother, were raised in Yorkshire at the Haworth Parsonage. They wrote poetry and short stories as children, and lived rich fantasy lives. They all dreamed of becoming writers, and their dreams came to fruition.

In 1847 Charlotte published JANE EYRE. That same year Emily published WUTHERING HEIGHTS, and Emily published AGNES GREY. Initially, Charlotte and her sisters had to use male pseudonyms. Charlotte's was Currer Bell. It was mostly unheard of, at that time, for women authors to be very successful; but in 1848 they admitted their gender. Ironically, both Emily and Ann died the next year. Charlotte did marry, but tragically in 1855, pregnant and fighting pneumonia she died. She was 39 years old.

Like most classic literature, JANE EYRE has been filmed numerous time. The BBC has redone it often. There are nine movies, four TV movies, two mini-series, and one TV series.

The first film came out of Italy in 1910. A silent film, directed by Mario Caserini. Marie Eline was Jane, and Frank Hall Crane was Mr. Rochester; with Gloria Gallop.

In 1914, in America, director Frank Hall Crane produced a short silent version with Ethel Grandin as Jane, and Irving Cumming as Mr. Rochester.

Also in 1914, in the U.S.A., director Martin Faust did a full-length silent version. This one had Lisbeth Blackstone as Jane, and John Charles as Mr. Rochester; with Alan Hale Sr.

In 1921, director Hugo Ballin presented his silent version with Mable Ballin as Jane, and Norman Trevorar as Mr. Rochester.In 1934, from America, one could watch <>. It featured Virginia Bruce as Jane, and Colin Clive as Mr. Rochester; with Beryl Mercer and David Torrence.

In 1944, from America, came one of the definitive versions, and it featured Joan Fontaine as Jane, and Orson Welles as Mr. Rochester; with Margaret O'Brien, Peggy Ann Garner, John Sutton, and Agnes Moorehead.In 1955, JANE EYRE was a TV series in Brazil.

In 1956, on American TV, director Campbell Logue presented us with Stanley Baker as Mr. Rochester, and Daphne Slater as Jane.

In 1961, on American TV, director Marc Daniels presented us with Sally Ann Howes as Jane, and Fritz Weaver as Mr. Rochester; with Zachery Scott.

1n 1971, there appeared a lush color version, <>. It featured Susannah York as Jane, and George C. Scott as Mr. Rochester; with Ian Bannen and Jack Hawkins.

In 1973, there was a British mini-series done by director Joan Craft. It featured Sorcha Cusack as Jane, and Michael Jayston as Mr. Rochester; with Stephanie Beachim and Susan Brodrick.

In 1983 there was another film version. It featured Zelah Clarke as Jane, and Timothy Dalton as Mr. Rochester; with Sian Pattenden and Judy Cornwell.

In 1996, in theatres we discovered JANE EYRE. It was directed by the flashy Franco Zeffirelli. It featured Charlotte Gainsburg as Jane, and William Hurt as Mr. Rochester; with Anna Paquin, Fiona Shaw, Geraldine Chaplin, Amanda Root, Joan Plowright, and Billie Whitelaw.

In 1997, on the A&E network, we discovered JANE EYRE. It featured Samantha Morton as Jane, and Ciaran Hinds as Mr. Rochester; with Gemma Jones, Richard Hawley, and Abigail Cruttenden.

Amazon stocks several wonderful books that allow us to immerse ourselves in the classic literature, as well as CD's, tapes, and movie soundtracks.1. Jane Eyre (Dover Thrift Editions); a paperback by Charlotte Bronte, at 448 pages.2. Jane Eyre (Penguin Classics); a paperback by Charlotte Bronte, with Michael Mason as editor, at 533 pages.3. Can Jane Eyre Be Happy?: More Puzzles in Classic Fiction (Oxford World's Classics); a paperback by John Sutherland; witty, provocative essay; at 256 pages.4. Jane Eyre, the Musical (Original 2000 Broadway Cast); Marla Schaffel as Jane Eyre, and James Barbour as Mr. Rochester. This opened in 2000 at the Brook Atkinson Theatre.5. Jane Eyre: Original Soundtrack Recording; From the wonderful 1996 Zeffirelli film; very well done.6. Jane Rochester: A Novel Inspired by Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre; a paperback by Kimberly Bennett; a respectful continuation of the Jane Eyre saga; at 256 pages.7. Charlotte Bronte Revelations : The Final Journey of Jane Eyre; a hard cover edition by D.M.Thomas; a very racy novel that borrows heavily from the classic, but adds little; at 288 pages.8. The Life of Charlotte Bronte (Penguin Classics); a paperback by Elizabeth Jay; an Everyman classic, with wonderful biographical and historical information; at 544 pages.9. Jane Eyre; read by Juliet Mills; Charlotte's life as one of three sisters.10. Charlotte Bronte: A Passionate Life; By Lyndall Gordon.11. Jane Eyre: An Autobiography (Signature Classics); High quality edition, leather bound Signature classic, at 436 pages. 12. Jane Eyre; a paperback at 400 pages.13. Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre; a Viking children's book by Stewart Ross, at 48 pages.14. Headwork Classics; a children's book by Chris Culshaw, at 96 pages.15. Jane Eyre (BBC Radio Collection); Juliet Stevenson is the reader.

Glenn Buttkus 2004