despite production received number poor reviews actually holds quite well age note also bbc programme simply licensed granada ventures jane austen collection released dvdbr br so compare adaptations novel wellknown version days  film amanda root anne elliott ciaran hinds captain frederick wentworth film course shorter good snapshot story  earlier version ann firbank bryan marshall roles four hours tell story moved leisurely pacebr br firbank good ten years old role good  marshall excellent wentworth man disappointed love bitter interference hidden cast people also contribute  michael culver later seen cadfael harvill richard vernon later seen hitchhikers guide galaxy admiral croft noel dyson earlier coronation street mrs musgrovebr br one criticism hairstyles bit distracting costumes awful still detract hugely enjoyable austen adaptation