Emma (1996)

69% of users liked it
(5,830 ratings)

In this made-for-TV adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel, Emma Woodhouse (Kate Beckinsale) is a clever young woman from a wealthy family who fancies herself a matchmaker and tries to find a husband for her shy friend Harriet (Samantha Morton). However, Emma's skills in bringing romances… More In this made-for-TV adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel, Emma Woodhouse (Kate Beckinsale) is a clever young woman from a wealthy family who fancies herself a matchmaker and tries to find a husband for her shy friend Harriet (Samantha Morton). However, Emma's skills in bringing romances together are not all she imagines them to be, which causes no small annoyance for Harriet. What's more, Emma's interest in the affairs of others nearly causes her to miss out on the love of her life. This adaptation of Emma was first shown in the U.S. on the A&E cable network; it followed both Douglas McGrath's acclaimed film version starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and Amy Heckerling's considerably updated variation on the story, Clueless. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Diarmuid Lawrence
Genres: Drama, Television, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 24, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Nov 2, 1999

Critic Reviews

Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
If you're a big fan of the A&E Jane Austen films, then you're going to want this as part of your DVD collection.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

A mere patch on the Gwyneth Paltrow version of the story, where that take on the story got everything right this one gets it all pretty much wrong. This Emma is more of a blank slate and churlish, none of the other characters are as vivid either although Mark Strong is an interesting… More
A mere patch on the Gwyneth Paltrow version of the story, where that take on the story got everything right this one gets it all pretty much wrong. This Emma is more of a blank slate and churlish, none of the other characters are as vivid either although Mark Strong is an interesting Mr. Knightly but not enough to make up for the other shortcomings. Regrettably flat.
Wildaly M

This one is the Kate Beckinsale version which was released the same year in the one Paltrow starred in. I must say that this is a much better version of the story though clearly with a lower-budget. The other version has a more modern-ish look to it that would've made this one… More
This one is the Kate Beckinsale version which was released the same year in the one Paltrow starred in. I must say that this is a much better version of the story though clearly with a lower-budget. The other version has a more modern-ish look to it that would've made this one the perfect adaptation of the novel.