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Persuasion is a BBC Screen Two 1995 period drama film directed by Roger Michell and based on Jane Austen's 1817 novel of the same name. In her theatrical film debut, Amanda Root stars as protagonist Anne Elliot, while Ciarán Hinds plays her romantic interest, Captain Frederick Wentworth. The film is set in early 19th-century England, eight years after Anne was persuaded by others to reject Wentworth's proposal of marriage. Persuasion follows the two as they become reacquainted with each other while supporting characters threaten to interfere. The novel was adapted by Nick Dear, who considered the story more mature than Austen's other novels, characterising it as one of realism and truthfulness, particularly in telling the story of two people separated and then reunited. As Austen's style conveys Anne's thoughts internally, Dear and Root felt compelled to express the character's emotions using less dialogue. Director Roger Michell avoided what he felt was the polished, artificial feel of other 19th-century depictions, and discouraged his actors from wearing make-up or appearing too hygienic. Costume designer Alexandra Byrne produced clothing that appeared "lived-in", which won her a BAFTA. Persuasion was shot in chronological order, allowing Root to portray more easily Anne's development from being downtrodden to happy and blossoming. It was filmed during a period of popularity for Austen's works. Originally the BBC was the sole production company of Persuasion until it partnered with the American WGBH Boston and the French Millesime. This gave the production a larger budget and allowed it to be filmed at locations featured in the novel, including Lyme Regis and Bath. Persuasion originally aired on 16 April 1995, when it was broadcast on BBC Two. Sony Pictures Classics released the film in American cinemas on 27 September 1995, as Austen's increasing popularity became apparent to Hollywood. Persuasion's cinematic release attracted the attention of film critics, and it received generally positive reviews, with many praising Root's performance. Film scholars have observed significant changes from the source material, as well as class and gender themes. Plot The film opens by cross-cutting between scenes of a Royal Navy ship carrying Admiral Croft, and a carriage carrying Mr. Shepherd and his widowed daughter Mrs. Clay to Kellynch Hall. Shepherd and Clay are accosted by creditors due to the debts owed by the Hall's owner, Sir Walter Elliot, while Croft discusses the end of the Napoleonic Wars with fellow officers of the navy. Sir Walter, a vain foppish baronet, is faced with financial ruin. Though he initially opposes the idea, he eventually agrees to move temporarily to Bath while the Hall is let; the idea came from Shepherd, family friend Lady Russell, and his second daughter, the intelligent Anne Elliot. Anne is visibly shaken upon learning that the new tenant of Kellynch Hall will be Admiral Croft, who is the brother-in-law of Captain Frederick Wentworth. Wentworth is the naval officer whom Anne was persuaded to reject in marriage eight years previously because of his uncertain prospects. Captain Wentworth has now become wealthy from taking prize ships in the Napoleonic Wars and has returned to England, presumably to find a wife. Later, Anne expresses to Lady Russell her unhappiness at her once wealthy family's current predicament, and at her past decision to reject the captain's marriage proposal. She visits her younger sister Mary, a hypochondriac who has married into a local gentry family, the Musgroves, and lives at nearby Uppercross near her in-laws. Anne patiently listens to the various complaints made to her by the members of the Musgrove family about the others, including Mary, Mary's husband Charles, sisters-in-law Louisa and Henrietta, and mother-in-law Mrs. Musgrove. Captain Wentworth comes to stay with Admiral Croft and Mrs. Croft, and one evening dines at the great house at Uppercross. Anne, however, misses the dinner party, taking the responsibility of nursing Mary's injured son while Mary and Charles leave to attend the dinner. The following morning at breakfast, Anne and Mary are met briefly by Wentworth, the first time he and Anne have seen each other since she rejected him. Anne later hears that Wentworth thought her so altered that he “would not have known [her] again". Louisa and Henrietta begin to pursue marriage with Wentworth; the family is unaware of his and Anne's past relationship. Visibly hurt by Anne's refusal years before, he appears to court Louisa, much to Anne's chagrin. Wentworth is told by Louisa that Anne had refused Charles' offer of marriage - a refusal which the Musgroves believed to be at the instigation of Lady Russell. After that, Charles had then proposed to Mary. Anne, Wentworth, Mary, and the younger Musgroves go to Lyme Regis and visit two of Wentworth's old naval friends, Captain Harville and Captain Benwick. While there, Louisa rashly jumps off some high steps expecting Wentworth to catch her; he is unable to do so, and she sustains a serious head injury. Afterwards, Anne goes to Bath to stay with her father and sister. Sir Walter and his eldest daughter Elizabeth reveal they have repaired their relationship with a previously disreputable cousin, Mr. Elliot, the heir to the Elliot baronetcy and estate. Anne is introduced to him, and they acknowledge that they briefly saw each other in Lyme. Much to Lady Russell's pleasure, Mr. Elliot begins pursuing Anne, who remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Louisa has recovered and become engaged to Captain Benwick. Wentworth arrives in Bath and encounters Anne on several occasions, though their conversations are brief. Anne learns from an old friend, Mrs. Smith, that Mr. Elliot is bankrupt and only interested in marrying Anne to help ensure his inheritance from her father. Mr. Elliot wishes to gain influence in the family and keep the baronet from marrying Mrs. Clay and fathering a male heir who would inherit instead of Mr. Elliot. After Wentworth overhears Anne talking about the constancy of a woman's love, he writes her a passionate letter revealing that he has never stopped loving her. Anne quickly finds him outside and the two kiss and walk off, arm in arm. That night at a party, Wentworth announces his engagement to Anne, much to her father's shock and both Lady Russell's and Mr. Elliot's visible consternation. The final scene shows Wentworth and Anne on a naval ship, happy to be together. Cast Production Conception and adaptation The filming of Persuasion coincided with a sudden resurgence of Jane Austen adaptations, as it was one of six such productions released during the mid-1990s. The media dubbed the phenomenon "Austenmania". While it was common for a successful adaptation to lead to the production of others, this surge in Austen's popularity involved many simultaneous projects—Persuasion's production, for instance, coincided with the TV serial Pride and Prejudi.... Discover the Jonathan Pidduck popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Jonathan Pidduck books.