Sense and Sensibility 2008

Overview

Sense and Sensibility is a 2008 British television drama based on the 1811 novel by Jane Austen. The series follows two sisters as they attempt to find happiness while navigating the tightly structured society of 18th century England. The screenplay was written by Andrew Davies, who intended for this adaptation to distinguish itself from the 1995 feature film directed by Ang Lee. To achieve this, the series presents a more overtly sexual tone than previous Austen adaptations. Davies incorporated specific scenes into the narrative, including a seduction and a duel, which are only suggested in the original novel and were absent from the 1995 film version. The story focuses on the contrasting personalities of the two sisters, specifically highlighting the character of Elinor, who is described as disciplined and restrained. The production serves as an interpretation of Austen's work, utilizing the source material to explore themes of social expectation and personal fulfillment within a historical setting.