William Hurt, Joan Plowright, Charlotte Gainsbourg

Jane Eyre is an orphan cast out as a young girl by her aunt, Mrs. Reed, and sent to be raised in a harsh charity school for girls. There she learns to be come a teacher and eventually seeks employment...( read more  read more... ) outside the school. Her advertisement is answered by the housekeeper of Thornfield Hall, Mrs. Fairfax.

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67% liked it

8,818 ratings

Critics

68% liked it

22 critics

PG, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Franco Zeffirelli

Release Date: April 12, 1996

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Flixster Reviews (441)


  • March 14, 2009
    Based on Charlotte Bronte's book, this is a story of a young girl who has a terrible unbringing in a home. She goes to work as a governess for a little girl and falls for the master.
  • December 26, 2007
    A personal favorite.
  • November 14, 2009
    A bit wierd in a few places, but otherwise really good!
  • November 10, 2009
    Adore the 2006 series with Toby and Ruth, I have watch them so many times, can't seem to get enough.
  • November 3, 2009
    I strongly recommend to avoid this movie if you enjoyed the original text. It left me feeling devastated that people could disrespect such a brilliant novel in so many ways. A true disappointment. Jane Eyre is one of my favourite texts, making it that much more unbearable to watc...( read more)h this movie fall short nearly every time. The acting was abysmal (especially the Jane Eyres), the soundtrack was very dull and poorly used, character and relationship developments left much to be desired and the plot was unashamedly untruthful to the original text. The only saving grace was the choice to cast William Hurt as Mr Rochester. He worked hard to portray the passion within his character but often fell short of succeeding due to the lack of talent in his supporting cast. The very interesting and original character of Jane Eyre created by Bronte was completely lost in this movie. There was no depth to her and no passion, which also affected how the relationship between her and Mr Rochester was developed and perceived. This connection was very unconvincing, seeming to arise from nowhere, a feeling only enhanced by the fact that there was no chemistry between the leads.

    Very upsetting that it's called 'Charlotte Bronte's' Jane Eyre after they confused the original plot so terribly and completely removed the passions and emotions that made the text and the characters so original and fascinating
  • July 27, 2009
    I am in deeply in love with this heart touching film (Jane Eyre)!!!! This is a must see film that all ages would probably Enjoy for ages to come!!!! Peace out TTFN!!!!

    _Matt Burden
  • June 27, 2009
    A great adaptation of a wonderful novel. There were certain parts which I felt were left out when shouldn't have been, but which weren't essentially needed to enjoy the story.
  • June 20, 2009
    This film adaptation does absolutely no justice for Charlotte Brontė's novel. I dislike the idea of screenwriters taking the liberty to change so much of a bestselling novel to suit their own tastes. I believe that part of the reason why a bestselling novel is a bestseller is bec...( read more)ause of what happens inside the book; to change that would be ill-advised.

    Charlotte Gainsbourg as Jane Eyre was a solid choice for an outward appearance; she portrayed the idea of Jane being very plain and homely, but this movie changes everything around that a watcher is deprived of all the emotions, destitution, and defiance that was the basis of Jane Eyre's character.

    To watch this movie fall short of the novel's standards is heartbreaking. I would recommend just reading the novel. Charlotte Brontė's ability to describe scenes and emotions so beautifully and in-depth creates no need for voices and movies; it will trump this film any day.
  • June 9, 2009
    Very romantic in a dark way, but it did the job
  • May 29, 2009
    I first read this book in high school in Zimbabwe. I fell in love. This is a human story. Its depth is erotic. One of my absolute favorites.

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Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre Trivia


  • Which of the following actresses has NOT played Jane Eyre in a film version of Charlotte Bronte's novel?  Answer »
  • Who played Jane Eyre in the 1944 version of Charlotte Bronte's novel? (Orson Welles played Mr. Rochester.)   Answer »

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