Mansfield Park

A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: David Tennant, full cast, Benedict Cumberbatch, Felicity Jones

Length: 2 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

In this BBC radio full-cast dramatisation of one of Jane Austen's most beloved works, Fanny Price finds her life isn't going as she would have wished....

Fanny grows up mostly miserable in Mansfield Park, where she has always been treated as inferior to her vivacious cousins. However, over time, her steadfast and kind character make her an indispensable part of the household. Her cousin Edmund has always been her ally but navigating Mary Crawford and Mrs Norris proves difficult....

Published over 200 years ago, Mansfield Park remains one of the British nation's favourite novels. Among the star cast in this radio production are Felicity Jones, David Tennant and Benedict Cumberbatch.

This title is part of the BBC's Jane Austen collection.

©2014 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2014 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

How On Earth?

can you fit "Mansfield Park" into 2 hours and 18 minutes? This lovely dramatized production answers the question thusly:
1) Get some wonderful A-list British actors;
2) Find a writer or writers who can severely cut Miss Austen to the bone without sacrificing all the dialogue, the essence of the characters, or the dated charm of Jane Austen and Fanny Price;
3) Don't worry if you seriously tick off the purist Janeites out there!

That's what the BBC has done, and here it is done supremely well. Cumberbatch, Tennant, and Jones are three of today's most popular artists - it's a wonder how they were assembled for such a project - and the rest of the cast equals their talent and energy.

I'm not usually a fan of abridged classics, but this is valuable whether or not you are familiar with Jane Austen's perhaps least-favorite novel. Reading "Mansfield Park" can be something of a chore - this listen is a breeze!

(The BBC dramatization may well encourage some to seek out the full version. I'd recommend going with Juliet Stevenson's narration of the unabridged "Mansfield Park" - it's available at Audible.)

Makes This Book Bearable

Would you listen to Mansfield Park (Dramatized) again? Why?

Yes, it was extremely well done and all the actors were a pleasure to listen to. At a bit over two hours, it is something that can be easily listened to multiple times.

Would you recommend Mansfield Park (Dramatized) to your friends? Why or why not?

Definitely. I already had one friend on Facebook that was very excited to listen to it. As I said, it's well done.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Benedict Cumberbatch and David Tennant shine as Edmund and Tom.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to it mostly in one sitting. I put on a few Disney movies for my preschoolers and I listened happily to the book on my headphones.

Any additional comments?

I would totally use this with high school students. It gives you a total sense of the story without overbearing them with a very long book. I think I may go back and read the full book now and thanks to this I already understand the plot.

Too abridged!

Way too short -- yes, a dramatization, but much abridged--just when it was getting good--boom!--over. I was disappointed.

Easy listening

The narration and roles are read perfectly by each actor. I enjoy audible books and hearing multiple talented readers was a treat. In this reading the main character, Fanny, is sympathetic, and that is how I read her character as well. I only wanted more of Fanny and Edmund than Jane Austin chose to give us.

Confusing at times

I enjoyed the book and finished it quickly, but found the recording a bit confusing at times. The voices of the actors were quite similar and the narration didn't acknowledge which character was speaking every time which made it difficult to follow what was happening at times. The story itself was interesting and entertaining, but I found the ending a bit abrupt and the character development lacking at times. Despite these criticisms I found it an enjoyable experience overall!

Surprisingly excellent.

I wasn't sure about a dramatization at first but this was rather well done. I know it's somewhat short but it was amusing and engaging. Bravo.

Radio Adaptation with Engaging Cast

Would you listen to Mansfield Park (Dramatized) again? Why?

I have, in fact, listened to this twice. It's a very skilled adaptation of one of my favorite Austen books. And the performances are wonderful.

What did you like best about this story?

You can't help but love Fanny Price and admire her strength, humor, and resilience.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The cast was universally strong and wonderfully captured the idiosyncrasies of the individual characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Fanny gets sent back to her family and she had to adjust to live away from Mansfield Park.

Beautiful

Of course, the BBC never fails when it comes to sound editing. The quality is as picturesque and nuanced as can be. Acting is superb. Plot is interesting and works well as metaphor for messages about social class, honor, love and morality. I only wish it had lasted longer. Of all dramatizations of Mansfield Park, this may be the best.

Too short

Any additional comments?

While it is always a pleasure to listen to such excellent actors, I was not very pleased with the magnitude of the cuts to the original. There was a great deal left out that, I feel, quite altered the presentation of the characters. I was also somewhat annoyed not to find anywhere a complete list of the players. Irritating.

Pleasure listening

This dramatization with really wonderful actors serves as an introduction or summary to Jane Austen's novel. After listening to this, it is easier to follow the flow of the lengthier novel.