Synopsis
Rival theater companies compete to produce their own unique versions of Jane Austen’s childhood play Sir Charles Grandison in this delightful film from Merchant Ivory Productions. George Midash (Michael Wager) buys the play’s manuscript at Sotheby’s for Pierre (Robert Powell), the head of an avant-garde theater group. Another troupe, headed by the very traditional Lilianna Zorska (Anne Baxter), strives to produce its own version of the play. In her first film role, Sean Young costars as a young actress being manipulated by Pierre to leave her husband and to dedicate herself to join his financially strapped company. But when Lilianna decides to match wits with Pierre and steal the young woman herself, events begin to mirror those occurring within the play. A brilliant ensemble cast, a witty screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and an inventive score by Richard Robbins all contribute to make Jane Austen in Manhattan elegant entertainment.
Cast
| Lilianna Zorska | Anne Baxter |
| Pierre | Robert Powell |
| George Midash | Michael Wager |
| Jamie | Tim Choate |
| Gregory | John Guerrasio |
| Katya | Katrina Hodiak |
| Victor | Kurt Johnson |
| Ariadne | Sean Young |
Credits
| Director | James Ivory |
| Producer | Ismail Merchant |
| Screenplay | Ruth Prawer Jhabvala |
| Libretto of Sir Charles Grandison | Jane Austen and Samuel Richardson |
| Cinematography | Ernest Vincze |
| Music | Richard Robbins |
| Editing | David E. McKenna |
| Art Direction | Jeremiah Rusconi |
Disc Features
- High-definition digital transfer
- Venice: Theme and Variations, director James Ivory’s first film, a short documentary about the history of Venice presented through works of art about the city
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
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