Product Description
Back in print for Jane Austen and film book fans, featuring Emma Thompson's Oscar®-winning shooting script and her "fascinating journal of making the film." —Jack Kroll, Newsweek. The landmark film, nominated for seven Academy Awards®, appearing on more than 100 top-ten lists across America, and grossing more than $125 million worldwide—remains as vibrant and true to Jane Austen as anyone could have imagined. Here is the complete, award-winning script, over 50 photos, the complete credits, and Thompson's unreserved, often hilarious diaries from the earliest meetings in January 1995 to the wrap party in July, detailing the everyday triumphs and setbacks of what it's like to work with a cast and crew of 120, offering a candid self-portrait as well as insightful glimpses of fellow actors Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, and acclaimed director Ang Lee. 50 b/w photos.Amazon.com Review
Emma Thompson spent five years translating Jane Austen's work to the screen.Fans of the film will treasure this beautiful volumethat includes her screenplay, diaries ofthe writing and the filming, and many gorgeous color pictures from thefilm. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

A True Treasure for Sense and Sensibility Fans
Is there enough money and time allotted for a big opening scene to illustrate Mr. Henry Dashwood receiving a fatal hunting wound?How can Colonel Brandon's character be made more three dimensional and effective when he is "quite shadowy" and "absent for long periods" in the novel?Should Willoughby's anguished confession to Elinor be included, or will it "interfere with Brandon's love story?"How can we achieve the perfect balance romance and satire in this film?

These are just several of the questions Emma Thompson pondered when writing the screenplay for Sense and Sensibility, (an undertaking that took five years, a dozen drafts, and hundreds of revisions to accomplish!)In the Sense and Sensibility Screenplay and Diaries readers and admirers of this adaption learn of the many important decisions Emma Thompson had to make when adapting Jane Austen's beloved novel to a two hour feature film.In addition to the original screenplay script, this movie companion includes many still and behind-the-scenes images from the movie and Emma Thompson's informative, entertaining, and at times shockingly candid, diary entires.

Readers familiar with the film will be able to compare it to this screenplay and perceive the alterations made between Emma Thompson's preproduction draft and the film.It is interesting to see what was originally intended and how it is similar and/or dissimilar to what appeared on film.I would have loved it if these alterations were explained in a footnote or some other type of commentary, however.One part I loved was reading the stage directions, I found them humorous and not as formal as expected!"MR. PALMER does indeed have an the air of a man under siege.""MARGARET is starring at Mrs. Jennings as if she were some particularly thrilling form of wildlife." "Additional wealth has evidently encouraged FANNY sartorially and she sprouts as much fruit and feathers as a market stall."

The diary entries by Emma Thompson begin with her first meeting with the director and producers and end with the final day of shooting.These entires range from stating which anti-stress/relaxation remedy she used that day to describing how many takes and cameras were used in a scene.Emma Thompson's admiration and reverence for Jane Austen is very apparent in these diary entires.In addition, her dry wit and self-deprecating sense of humor reminds readers of Jane Austen and little of Bridget Jones too!"Drank far too much last night and woke at 5:30 a.m.Could've gone on drinking all night.Quite grateful for a hangover, it provides a bit of peace."- June 11th.(Warning: she swears like Bridget Jones too).

In addition to her personal feelings and thoughts, Emma Thompson illustrates what it was like to make this movie: What parts were easy?What parts were challenging?What parts were fun? And what disasters transpired?It was quite interesting to discover that factors such as weather (cloudy verses sunny) dictated which scenes were shot that day.Or that it was necessary to fire a shotgun before each take to silence the cawing crows.Or that they had to be supremely cautious while in these historic homes as many National Trust volunteers were watching them like hawks ready to pounce!

My one complaint for this volume is that the image quality for the 91photographs is sometimes a little grainy and fuzzy.But that may be because I have an older (1995) edition.I see that there are two other editions of this book, 2002 and 2007.Perhaps in these later editions the images were improved?I'll have to check it out and get back to you... My advice meanwhile, would be to buy the newest edition.

Admirers of Sense and Sensibility, Emma Thompson, and the 1995 film starring Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, and Alan Rickman will find much to appreciate and adore in this lovely tome.Emma Thompson's Golden Globe acceptance speech (as Jane Austen) and Imogen Stubb's letter penned from Lucy to Elinor only enhance the value of this treasure!A MUST read!

Austenesque Reviews

Sense and Sensibility Diaries
This is a wonderful read for anyone that loves this movie.It is a behind the scene look at the making of the movie by Emma Thompson.She includes many humorous stories involving the different actors that were in the movie.

Emma Thompson's dazzling adaptation of Jane Austen's novel
If you read Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" before or after seeing the 1996 film version then I think it is pretty easy to conclude that Emma Thompson's Oscar for Best Screenplay adaptation was richly deserved.After writing and performing a series of short skits for British television, Thompson was approached by producer Lindsay Doran to write the screenplay.Thompson began by dramatizing every scene in the novel, which resulted in 300 hand written pages to be followed by 14 drafts as the 1811 novel was crafted into the final script.The result was a script that manages to be not only romantic and funny, but also romantic and funny in the best Austen sense of both words.

Be aware that this is the Original Script, not to be confused with the Shooting Script.This should be clear as soon as you beginning reading, because originally Thompson had the scene shifting back and forth between Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor/John and Fanny Dashwood (credit for this revision must go, I believe, to Film Editor Tim Squyres, who recut the scene so that we get all of one side and then the other instead of alternating back and forth as in the original script).Overall the strengths of Thompson's script are in two main directions.First, she manages to convey the scope of the novel in a two-hour screenplay, no mean task.Second, the little details she adds to Austen's story are simply marvelous.For example, her use of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 ("Let me not the marriage of true minds"), which Marianne and Willoughby share to their great mutual delight and which Marianne repeats standing in the rain looking at Willoughby's new estate.In fact, Thompson revised the first scene to make it even better, having Willoughby misquote a key word in an elegant bit of foreshadowing.Thompson also makes one nice little change at the end.While Austen has Elinor bolt from the room to cry outside during the happy ending. Thompson creates a wonderful moment by having her stay in the room and having the rest of her family flee.There are not too many scenes where you are crying and laughing at the same time, but Thompson certainly created one (and has the added virtue of relying on herself as an actress to nail the performance as well).All of these are marvelous examples of playing to the strength of the cinema to bring Austen's novel to the screen.

But we get much more than just the screenplay in this volume, because Thompson includes excerpts from her diaries kept during both the writing of the screenplay and the actual production of the film.It would be nice if there was more insight into what she was thinking when writing the screenplay as I am always interested in how decisions were made and where inspiration comes from, but Thompson makes up for that with her little tales of working with director Ang Lee and the rest of the cast in making the film.Finally, in the Appendices, there is a very choice little treat, namely Imogen Stubbs' Prize-Winning Letter, written to Elinor from Lucy.Do not worry; by the time you read it you will understand why it is so hysterical.There is also a list of the fine homes and estates where "Sense and Sensibility" was filmed if you happen to be roaming around England and are interested in looking for such things.

A look inside the making of the film
Most for-sale screenplays are just that -- screenplays. Emma Thompson, who wrote the screenplay for the delightful Jane Austen film "Sense and Sensibility," chose to include journal entries throughout the filming of the movie as well, in addition to the winning entry of a contest to see who could write the best letter from Fanny to Elinor.

There is wit in the descriptions and the photos, all well-captured. The journal entries are entertaining and a good look into the making of a movie. Although be forewarned -- because they dress like the characters of S&S, they do not talk like them. There is definitely some verbal crudeness in the book, men and women alike, but if you can overlook that (or are used to it) then this book will be a delightful read for any Jane Austen fan.

A fascinating look at a remarkable film.
There are three separate parts to this fine volume; introduction, script and diaries. The producer of the film, Lindsay Doran, opens the door for us with her wonderful introduction. At age 13, she was determined that notonly was "Jane Austen a very stupid writer," but also she would"never, never read one of her stupid books again."

Fortunatelyfor the rest of the world, Ms. Doran changed her mind, and some twenty-fiveyears after that first erroneous conclusion, has brought us thiswonderfully witty, and extremely faithful film version of this first novelby Austen. As producer of the Kenneth Branagh/Emma Thompson film, DEADAGAIN, she became acquainted with the woman who was not only a phenomenalactress, but also a gifted writer-one with a sense of humorand a strongromantic bent.These two qualities had proven to be the stumbling blockover nearly ten years of searching for the right scriptwriter for Sense andSensibility.

It took nearly seven years to come up with something closeto a shooting script, sandwiched as it had to be between Thompson's manyaward-winning acting chores. Serendipity was obviously at work, however,and eventually, a budget was established, and casting accomplished.

Manyof the actors Emma had envisioned in various roles had participated in aread-through the year prior to the filming; they were all in the film, inthose same roles.

While the Dashwood ladies are all suitable beautiful,it is the men who are truly gorgeous.("Repellently so," writesMs. Thompson in the diary portion, referring to Hugh Grant. "He's muchprettier than I am.") With his look-alike Richard Lumsden, they arethe brothers Ferrar, Edward and Richard, with Greg Wise as the fickleWilloughby.Alan Rickman (be still my heart!) brings maturity and virilityto the role of Colonel Brandon. The sets and costumes aresumptuous.

Interspersed with the actual shooting script and the diariesare some 50 photographs, 36 of them in luscious color. One script lookspretty much like another, but this one allows Ms. Thompson's wry wit toshine, especially in some of the non-spoken words. Of course, not everyscene from the book could be included; the movie would have been more thansix hours had they been. But the essentials are here, along with all themajor characters. Providing testimony to just how perspicacious was thechoice of writer is the number of awards garnered by Thompson for this, herfirst film script.

The diaries portion begin with a production meetingon January 15, 1995 and continue through July 9 of that year.A very smallmention is made of Hugh Grant's visit to California, where he'd gone forhis next film project after the completion of filming his scenes inEngland. A final two pages describes the 'location' houses chosen torepresent those lived in by the families in the novel.

It may come assomewhat of a surprise to some readers to discover rather explicit languagein the diaries. In addition to an apparent fascination with the alimentaryprocess, our Emma has a bit of a potty-mouth, as do some of the gentlemaninvolved, and their words are recorded, one presumes unhappily, all tooaccurately. They seem curiously jarring and out of place in a bookotherwise devoted to the pristine words of Jane Austen.

Nevertheless,this is a lovely, hefty book; one which will bring the reader back to ittime and again.There is always a new and enjoyable nugget to be minedfrom its various depths. ... Read more

Product Description
Now in the acclaimed Newmarket Shooting Script® series, the Oscar®-winning screenplay by Emma Thompson based on the beloved classic by Jane Austen, with Thompson's candid and detailed behind-the-scenes diaries.

Bringing Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility to the screen was a labor of love for writer/actress Emma Thompson. The highly acclaimed film, nominated for seven Academy Awards® (winning Best Adapted Screenplay), appeared on more than 100 Top 10 lists across the country.

Featuring the complete award-winning script, Sense and Sensibility: The Screenplay and Diaries also showcases Thompson's unreserved, often hilarious diaries that capture the unique experience of making this landmark film. In addition, the book includes an introduction by producer Lindsay Doran; over fifty photos; cast and crew credits; and Thompson's sparkling Austen-like acceptance speech at the Golden Globe awards ceremony. Thompson's rare and personal perspective makes Sense and Sensibility: The Screenplay and Diaries an irresistible book for students of film and Austen devotees, as well as for everyone who loved this extraordinary movie. More than 50 black-and-white photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Extras
A screenplay is a screenplay as far as post-release documentation goes.But the additional random notes in this version are worth the extra fiver.

Every bit "The Diary of Eve" and perhaps even more so for the anthropology, Thompson plays the dry Austin humor to the hilt - her own voice is apparently just as funny.Classic primer for period drama affectionados even with no interest in screenplays. Wickedly funny and warm at the same time, much like Austin.No accident.

Very fun read
Sense and Sensibility is my favorite film of all time and this book is a wonderful companion piece for any fan of the film as well.Emma Thompson's diary of the production is wonderfully witty and interesting. There are also very high quality portraits of the cast and beautiful production shots included in the book. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Does not do justice to Greatness.
Unlike the fortunate reviewer from New Jersey, I spent a fortune on obtaining my copy of this book. I liked this book in that it filled in a lot of the blanks about her early life and career, as in Australia wereally only got to know this wonderful woman when she burst forth onto ourscreens as the magnificent Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing."However, on the whole I must agree with the other reviewers. I could havepaid $2.80 for the latest Woman's Day magazine and got the same amount ofdepth. If you can get it from the bargain bin do it! But don't be a chumplike myself and pay $45 for it. I suggest all Lady Emma fans out thereshould band together and persuade the magnificent lady to feed ourvoracious appetites and pen her autobiography. Did anyone else sense a verystrong anti-Ken vibe?

A True Emma Thompson Fan
I have read this book and fortunately I purchased it from my local Barnes & Noble store for only $4.95 (Hardback).I found it on the "dud" shelf where it belongs!This book is a compulation of magazine articles previously published about Emma.The author even writeshis references in the back of the book.If you are a true Emma fan andcrave information about her then you probably have already read from othersources the information that is in this book.We'll never know the truestory until Emma writes her autobiography.In the meantime, the closestwe'll get to an autobiography is the Sense and Sensibility diary that Emmawrote.

"Unauthorized" means...
For those of you who don't live on the level of Emma-fandom that I do, anewsflash.This woman will record her life story when she is good andready.This biography is merely a patchwork of what might be true and whatprobably isn't.What we are ment to know of Emma Thompson, we will knowthe truth of, and what we aren't to know are things no person needs to knowof another. If you are an Emma fan, however, you'll appreciate the nicecover shot and picture section inside.Take these, put the whole of thetext aside for bathroom reading, and wait about thirty years until the realstory comes out.

definitely worth buying
This is worth buying for the emma thompson fan.It gives a very good account of her family background, her early childhood,her marriage to Kenneth Branagh,and her rise to stardom.I enjoyed reading it.Kari Guy ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
What an absolute delight!NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS was a very entertaining story for the entire family to listen to!I've not seen either movie or read any books associated with Nanny McPhee, but that didn't hinder me from enjoying this tale.Read by the author and well-known actress Emma Thompson, the listener is transported to the English countryside.

The story introduces the listeners to the Green family.Their mother was born to a wealthy family, but after she falls in love with a poor farmer, she is disowned.That suits her fine, and the family is happy and content.But then Mr. Green has to serve in the military, and the mom and three children are left to run the farm until his return.

Mrs. Green's sister dumps her two children at the farm to protect them from the war, and the five children are at odds from the beginning.Mrs. Green is desperate for money and can't handle all five children, and is worried they will lose the farm.It is at this point that Nanny McPhee enters the picture to save the day.

Throw in the magical presence of Nanny McPhee, an unscrupulous brother-in-law trying to convince Mrs. Green to sell the farm, and adorable little piglets, and you get the enchanting story that is NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS.

The audio book recounts both the story as well as includes a verbal diary by Ms. Thompson of the filming of the movie.The diary entries are as funny, if not sometimes more so, than the actual story being told.

A discretionary note here, though.Though the story itself is suitable for all ages, especially as the main characters are young children, there may be a few objectionable words in the diary.Nothing vulgar, but a few swear words, and a reference to a woman's upper body parts.The usage is quite amusing, but some parents may find it unsuitable.

Reviewed by:Jaglvr

More than a quickie tie-in
What makes a novelization of a children's movie worth reading? It helps if it's a really good movie, like Nanny McPhee Returns. It helps more if it's written by the actual screenwriter. It helps even more if the chapters of the story alternate with the on-set diary of the screenwriter/star, making the book as much a behind-the-scenes tale as an adaptation of the movie. And if it's written by Emma Thompson, that makes it practically perfect.

In this, her first children's novel, Emma Thompson proves that she is every bit as adept at prose as she is screenwriting (for which she has been nominated for an Oscar) and acting. Charming, funny, and moving, this book captures the feel of classic British children's fantasies as easily as the Nanny McPhee movies. She had me laughing out loud in places, and tearing up in others. Adapting her own screenplay, she clearly understands that some things work better on the screen than on the page (and vice versa), and changes things accordingly.

The film diary is a lot of fun as well, and should give budding young filmmakers some insight into life on the movie set. Filled with funny anecdotes and praise for her young (and sometimes non-human) co-stars, the diary is every bit as much fun as the novel. And the self-deprecating humor makes me love Emma Thompson even more (as if such a thing were even possible).

great film, terrific book
I loved the movie and was thrilled to find a field diary about themaking of it.Emma Thompson did something similar withSense and Sensibility.I still reread that film diary(and the book). this time around it is a Nanny McPhee movie.If you liked the movie you will like this book. Emma writes for adults but won't mind if a child reads it too.I am reading it to my middle school class. Those grown up 7th graders are laughing out loud.

A Magical Story & Film Diary -- Not just a lame movie tie in
This book has a completely different feel from the movie.The movie is visual and appealing and told on film as only a good movie could do.

However, the book version comes across in a completely different way.Details are added in, and the telling of the story keeps the tone, but adds a bit more. The story is wonderful and reminds me a lot of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (the line drawings are similar to the style of those as well).

So whether you've seen the movie or not, the book is a great story about kids who learn to work together and solve their own problems, under the scrutiny of Nanny McPhee.

Another very unique feature is Emma Thompson's film diary.Thompson not only stars in the film, but wrote the screenplay, so her notes are from both of those perspectives.Young people (or old ones!) interested in learning more about the film-making process will find this interesting.

The diary entries are interspersed in the text of the story, which might annoy some readers, but I thought the chatty tone of the diary and the story blended well together.Because of this tone, the book would be an excellent story to read aloud.

Content Note:There are some things included in the film diary that definitely seemed to target an older audience, including some mild swear words (d*mn and h*ll), which slightly concerned me and parents of younger children will want to note. ... Read more

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A dual biography of Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson chronicles their separate youths and early theatrical achievements and examines their team efforts that contributed to the success of such productions as Much Ado About Nothing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Really good
As a Kenneth Branagh fan, I fin this book rather interesting but now is antiquated. ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Proverbs, Spanish; Fiction / General; Fiction / Classics; Fiction / Literary; Literary Criticism / European / Spanish ... Read more

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A biography of Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. ... Read more

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Readers witness the life of a Jewish family who move from Russia to New York City to escape persecution and starvation and to make a new life. Fact-filled narrative and historical photos plus fictional letters and journal entries from 12-year-old Emma Markowitz and her family paint a memorable picture of the typical European immigrant experience in the 1890s.

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Emma Thompson has written a screen adaption of Jane Austen's romantic satire of the mores and morals of early 19th-century England. In these diaries, she recounts the daily joys and despairs of working on this film as writer and star, with actors Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman. ... Read more

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An enchanted white cat helps a young prince win his father's kingdom. ... Read more

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Mary mother of four tries to inspire her kids to be the best they can in a life of poverty. She dreams her son Marcus who plays basketball will finish school winding up in the NBA making a high salary so they won't have to struggle any longer. After losing one of her son's to a drive by shooting and having a diabetic attack, Marcus wants to give up.

In this short story does Marcus give up on education and a future NBA contract?

Does his mother finally die from another sugar attack?

Do they blame it all on the opposite race not helping?

Find out in:

Hard Being Black
Copyright © 2010 Steviesha T. Publishing. All rights reserved. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An Inspiring Story
Seeing people go through rather they are white or black hurts me. This short story definitely inspires me and gives me hope when I am doing bad financially or in other areas. Finally Marcus gets inspiration from the woman he gave birth to him along with his brother and this is what we all need. Family!! And this book is a book much needed by all families so they can see how families should stick together. ... Read more

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Emma Thompson Cover ... Read more

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Chapters: Cyrus Edwin Dallin, Henry B. Richardson, George Bryant, William Thompson, Emma Cooke, Robert Williams, Samuel Duvall, Matilda Howell, Jessie Pollock, Louis Maxson, Wallace Bryant, Charles Woodruff, Charles Hubbard, William Clark, Galen Spencer,. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 40. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Cyrus Edwin Dallin (November 22, 1861 - November 14, 1944) was an American sculptor and Olympic archer. He created more than 260 works, including well-known statues of Paul Revere and Native Americans. He also sculpted the statue of the Angel Moroni atop the Salt Lake City Temple, which has become a symbol for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is generally the pattern for further Angel Moroni statues on the spires of subsequent LDS Temples. Dallin, the son of Thomas and Jane (Hamer) Dallin, was born in Springville, Utah, to a family then belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At age 19, he moved to Boston to study sculpture with T. H. Bartlett, and in 1883 entered a competition for an equestrian statue of Paul Revere. No entries were selected at that time, but over the next 58 years Dallin made seven versions of Paul Revere. Dallin was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and turned down the initial offer to sculpt the angel Moroni for the top of the LDS Salt Lake City Temple. Dallin later accepted the job and after finishing the statue said, "My angel Moroni brought me nearer to God than anything I ever did." In Boston, he became a colleague of Augustus St. Gaudens and a close friend of John Singer Sargent. He married Vittoria Colonna Murray in 1891, moved to Arlington, Massachusetts in 1900, where he lived for the rest of his life, and there raised three children. He was a member of the ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=1757989 ... Read more