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.

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!

Too abridged!

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

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.

Quite enjoyable

Good to relax to. I often listen to books while I drive or just before I sleep, and this rendition of Mansfield park was most enjoyable.

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.

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.

Story Lacking

I really wasn't a fan. The girl didn't do much to recommend herself and the guy doesn't notice until he rebounds from the previous object of his affections. Ending was anticlimactic.

Enjoyable performances, but...

...the joy of Austen is in the words and minutiae. This version is done with such broad brushstrokes that everything that makes the book so wonderful is completely lost. It's almost like the cliff notes, especially with the narrator constantly chiming in to explain the things that have been left out or couldn't be conveyed through dialogue alone. The unabridged narration by Juliet Stevenson is much, much better.

Too much narrating not enough speech

Too much narrative for a radio drama, needed more skill in the script. Hardly heard the characters, which meant I felt little for their wellbeing. That said it was easy to follow and the actors did a good job. Go for a different version though, or simply listen to the novel in full- which is wonderful.

Disappointing format

It's a great story, great cast, how could they go wrong with this production? By using awkward chapter formatting and short narration summaries to join the chapters. I suppose that's one way of shortening the story but it was a shame overall.

A great story cut short

If you have read the book previously then you will enjoy this as an additional entertainment but do not listen to this and assume you have read the book as much of Austen's original brilliance is missing!

too short

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

dramatization is too short, performances and original story are very good but too much is missed out

perfunctory adaptation

an excellent cast can't make up for a radio play that captures almost none of Austen's subtlety or wit.

Fantastic!

Although short and therefor obviously having to skip parts of the book. This includes the chief points of the story and is very well done. Felicity Jones and David Tennant in particular play their parts well. Definitively worth a listen!

was a predictable listen

if you want a book to listen to that's plodding and predictable this it it

Very enjoyable if a bit short

It was a wonderful dramatisation but I wish I'd gone for the full book. The actors did a great job and I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless.

Lovely dramatisation

I've grown to love Mansfield Park and this dramatisation makes it more colourful. Thank you