(TV Series)

(1949)

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7/10
Quite enjoyable even if a bit too rushed.
planktonrules11 July 2012
While Studio One's "Jane Eyre" is far from perfect, neither are most versions. Although British, Rochester is played by an American without a British accent (Charlton Heston)---but this is also the case with two very famous versions which starred Orson Welles and George C. Scott. Also, like almost every version I have seen, the most important subplot involving the missionary is completely omitted--making Jane's return to Rochester seem a bit confusing. My advice is to read the book...and watch a movie or TV version. Despite its limitations, the live teleplay manages to cram the story into only about an hour--and considering it was done LIVE, it is a wonderful look into the insane world of live programming in the early days of television. Overall, not bad at all and quite enjoyable...and a bit touching at the end.

If you want to see this one, you can download it from archive.org for free--a site that is often linked to IMDb.
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5/10
Charlton Heston makes this adaptation worth it.
cheilith11 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
My very first thought was, "Charlton Heston!? Are they serious!?" I never expected to see him playing this role. I watched, and it turns out I was quite happy with his feet filling Rochester boots. After getting over my shock, I realized he did fit the role using his own charm not so unlike what Ciaran Hinds did. His only flaw however, was his strange taste in women.

It didn't make sense that he would marry Bertha; she was an unattractive old hag in this. As for Jane, what was so special about her? Let's face it, she was dull. Instead of being unique, she was more like a typical American actress of the time. Perky with her head in the clouds, and when she was sad it was Hollywood sad. All this made her so boring. I couldn't see why Rochester was drawn to Jane, so his romance with her felt forced. And on top, there wasn't any chemistry. However I did like this adaptation more than I anticipated, for a short BW 1940's production. (Heston's performance pretty much stole the show). Bertha was also seen early on which was an interesting change. As for length, this was like a Coles notes version of Jane Eyre. But it did it well; I didn't think the story could be shortened this much and still be true. --- Aired on "Studio One"- an American drama anthology program. Mary Sinclair also played Cathy, with Charlton Heston as Heathcliff in a "Studio One" production of "Wuthering Heights".
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5/10
Pretty much what you would expect
MissSimonetta20 March 2020
This hour-long TV production of JANE EYRE pretty much strips the story of everything that makes it interesting-- Jane's moral development, the feminist themes, the religious angle-- and turns it into a rushed soap opera. There are a few interesting cinematic touches here and there: Rochester's first scene only showing his hands fingering a phallic cane while Jane stands before him, or Bertha Mason's crazed eyes revealed in the upper story window. Charlton Heston also makes a better Rochester than you might expect: his arrogance and rough manner make him suited to the part. He comes off better than the actress playing Jane, who makes the woman far more passive and cheerful than the original book's quiet rebel. You'll know if you want to see this (you'll probably be a diehard JANE EYRE fan, someone with an interest in early television, or a fan of Charlton Heston); otherwise, I can't really recommend it to a general viewership.
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5/10
All the Britishness drained out
bkoganbing12 October 2020
This Jane Eyre adaption for Studio One is a special treat for Charlton Heston fans as it was broadcast a year before Heston made his feature film debut in Dark City. He's also teamed with Mary Sinclair in the title role with whom he co-starred on the big screen in Arrowhead a few years later.

All the Britishness of the story is drained out of this production though. With Heston as Rochester, Mary Sinclair and Ethel Remmey playing Mrs. Fairfax the housekeeper all Americans this might as well have been set on Long Island. The famous Moors so prominent in Bronte work are not given a mention. As another reviewer said this was reduced to a soap opera.

Still Heston is fine as Rochester and too bad he didn't do it in a big money big screen production.
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8/10
not bad at all for a 50 minute production
didi-531 January 2009
Charlton Heston made a number of TV productions before he attained movie stardom, including several entries in the Westinghouse Studio One series. This time, he's Edward Rochester in 'Jane Eyre', and although a little too young for the role, he puts the part across with the right mix of sardonic charm and arrogance. Jane herself, played by an actress I hadn't seen before, was also very good, and the production itself has some chills and some surprises - a glimpse of the mad wife from a window, for example.

This production is fairly easy to find and view online and is worth the effort. I've seen and liked many Jane Eyre versions, and this one is a welcome addition to those titles.
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10/10
A wonderful surprise
dancaroleshealy7 July 2017
OK I just had to give it a 10 simply because - HELLO! Charlton Heston before age 30, my gosh, his face still shows the baby fat of youth. The melodrama, the sets and the fact that I believe this was aired LIVE and probably with no commercials make this a wonderful 50 minutes of viewing. Hard for young people to believe but at this time, the ONE sponsor (instead of 10) would come on in the beginning and end. No multiple breaks. This production has some clever camera angles and freaky shots of the crazy wife's face in a window. Very interesting how it was filmed to appear as if it was being done on a stage in some theatre. You Jane Eyre fans can't miss this one. I totally enjoyed the professional archaic-ness of it.
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Jane Eyre in 50 minutes
Kirpianuscus5 December 2022
A decent work for an adaptation in rush , sustained by the beautiful job of Charlton Heston , proposing fair portrait of Edward Rochester and for few good crafted details, suggesting part of events.

Many parts ignored, little confused, a decent Jane Eyre and the inspired option for end are the virtues of this short adaptation , not bad, not great but obvious, more than good intentioned .

Sure, significant part of atention is concentrated to Edward Rochester and , not real surprising, Charlton Heston got the honest tone to propose a bitter, lonely, arrogant master of Thornfield, conquered, step by step by a real nice Mary Sinclair , building in reasonable way her Jane Eyre.

So, surprising, just decent.
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