| Persuasion | |
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Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones on location |
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| Directed by | Adrian Shergold |
| Based on | Persuasion by Jane Austen |
| Starring | Sally Hawkins Rupert Penry-Jones |
| Language | English |
Persuasion is an adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel of the same name published in 1818. The TV-film premiered on 1 April 2007 on the UK channel ITV at 9pm, as part of their Jane Austen Season. It was filmed at Bath, Lyme, and Dorset, UK, in September 2006.
The film is directed by Adrian Shergold. The lead roles are played by Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Fredrick Wentworth.
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Persuasion tells the story of Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth. Eight years prior to the film's beginning, Anne – at the age of 19 – was engaged to Wentworth. However, her father Sir Walter Elliot and especially the family friend Lady Russell persuaded Anne to break off the engagement. Despite their strong mutual affections, Wentworth was not considered rich or important enough to marry an Elliot.
Eight years later, due to the lavish spending of Sir Walter and his eldest daughter Elizabeth, the family is in financial difficulties. The Elliot family residence, Kellynch Hall in Somersetshire, has to be let out. Suitable tenants are soon found in Admiral Croft and his wife. Mrs Croft is the sister of Frederick Wentworth, who has risen to Captain in the meantime and has become rich while serving in the Royal Navy.
Elizabeth and Sir Walter set off for their new residence in Bath. At first, Anne stays behind, visiting her sister Mary Musgrove who is married to Charles Musgrove, indisposed(pregnant) and living in the nearby estate Uppercross.
Anne then meets Frederick Wentworth again when he comes to visit his sister. Staying with the Musgroves, Anne meets Captain Wentworth several times and has to witness Captain Wentworth's, what she perceives to be, advances towards Charles Musgrove's young and lively sisters, especially Louisa, and is convinced that he will never forgive her, let alone love her again.
Eventually Anne goes to Bath, and becomes subject to the attentions of Mr. Elliot, a distant cousin who will inherit her father's wealth and title. Mr. Elliot proposes to Anne, who declines, as she is still in love with Wentworth. Upon hearing news of the proposal, Wentworth decides to leave town. Admiral Croft sends Wentworth to ask Anne if she and her new husband require them to quit Kellynch Hall. Anne informs Wentworth of the mistake, but Wentworth leaves and Anne runs to find him. On her way, her good friend informs her that the young man who wants her hand only wants the title he will get when her father dies, and is currently courting the young lady whom it seemed Anne's father might marry. Anne eventually finds Wentworth, and they kiss on the street. The movie skips to Anne and Wentworth in a carriage, Anne blindfolded. When he takes it off she is standing in front of Kellynch Hall. Wentworth tells her that it is an early wedding present. The film ends with Wentworth and Anne standing in front of their new home, dancing.