Which 'Jane Eyre' Reigns Supreme? All 8 Adaptations of Charlotte Brontë's Novel, Ranked by IMDb
Among the many adaptations, there are both recognized masterpieces and lesser-known works that offer unexpected interpretations.
Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre is no longer just a literary classic, it has become an inexhaustible source of inspiration for filmmakers.
From silent movies to modern TV productions, each era has offered its own interpretation of the story in an attempt to capture the timeless essence of its characters.
8. 'Jane Eyre', 1910
IMDb Score: 5.4/10
The 1910 adaptation of Jane Eyre is considered the first. It's important to note that this version is not only black-and-white, but also silent. Without dialogue, viewers can only guess at the nuances of Jane and Mr. Rochester's relationship.
Unfortunately, the movie is now considered lost. Nevertheless, Jane Eyre enjoyed great popularity among early 20th-century audiences.
7. 'Jane Eyre', 1970
IMDb Score: 6.4/10
Delbert Mann's adaptation is perhaps the darkest yet. Mann delves into the main character's harsh childhood – she grew up deeply unloved and neglected by adults.
This is the first adaptation to include Jane Eyre's time at Moor House and St. John's proposal – two pivotal elements of the Brontë story that other adaptations inexplicably omit.
Unfortunately, the central romantic storyline – the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester – is portrayed rather restrainedly.
6. 'Jane Eyre', 1996
IMDb Score: 6.8/10
This adaptation of Jane Eyre was filmed by Italian director Franco Zeffirelli. He took creative liberties with the story, including scenes that were not in the book.
He paid particular attention to Jane's character, transforming her into a courageous, emotionally independent woman so this adaptation possesses the feminist hallmarks of the mid-1990s film industry.
Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt play the leading roles, and the supporting cast includes Maria Schneider, Anna Paquin, and Fiona Shaw, star of Harry Potter, who plays the formidable guardian of the girl, Mrs. Reed.
5. 'Jane Eyre', 1997
IMDb Score: 7.0/10
The 1997 adaptation divided audiences into two camps. While some profess their love for it, others regret having ever seen it.
The movie managed to capture all the iconic plot elements, with the possible exception of Jane's trip to Gateshead. Ciarán Hinds' portrayal of Mr. Rochester is the most aggressive and cruel in the history of the novel's adaptations.
Samantha Morton was cast as Jane Eyre and unlike other actresses, she perfectly embodied the character's both personality and physical attributes.
4. 'Jane Eyre', 2011
IMDb Score: 7.3/10
Director Cary Joji Fukunaga and screenwriter Moira Buffini brilliantly open the movie with Jane's escape from Thornfield.
The rest of the story, including the main character's childhood, her meeting with Mr. Rochester, and her attempted marriage, is revealed through flashbacks. This unexpected structure helps the movie maintain its pace and the viewer's attention.
Michael Fassbender's Mr. Rochester is abrupt and sullen on the outside but incredibly sensitive on the inside. In contrast, Mia Wasikowska's Jane Eyre is very reserved and inscrutable.
3. 'Jane Eyre', 1943
IMDb Score: 7.4/10
Another adaptation was directed by Robert Stevenson from a screenplay by John Houseman and Aldous Huxley. That screenplay was based on a popular radio play by Orson Welles.
Fans of the book may not enjoy the 1943 movie, as Huxley significantly altered the plot. The radio play is essentially a standalone story that borrows only the characters and a few key events from the book.
Joan Fontaine, the star of Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, played the movie's title character. Orson Welles played the role of Edward Rochester.
2. 'Jane Eyre', 1983
IMDb Score: 8.0/10
The BBC miniseries is arguably one of the most popular adaptations of the novel. This version stars Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton. At the time, Dalton was just gaining popularity in big-screen cinema.
Dalton considers his work in the miniseries to be the best of his career. Thanks to its lengthy runtime, the story of the humble orphan Jane is filled with countless details.
However, showrunner Alexander Baron deliberately leaves off-screen the most subtle and intimate moments of Jane and Mr. Rochester's relationship, giving viewers room to imagine.
1. 'Jane Eyre', 2006
IMDb Score: 8.3/10
The four-hour adaptation covers all the book's major events, from Gateshead to Moor House.
The leads, Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens, are incredibly well-suited to each other, and their on-screen chemistry is undeniable. This is the first modernized version of Jane Eyre with more distinct characters and less subtle dialogue.
Mr. Rochester is a capricious aristocrat who is multifaceted and interesting, and Jane herself is witty and surprisingly caustic for a woman of her time and upbringing.
