Sense and Sensibility, the Oscar-winning period drama based on a Jane Austen classic, is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Written and starred by Emma Thompson, the film earned the actress the title of the only person to have ever won Academy Awards for both screenwriting and acting, and is recognised as one of the best Austen adaptations of all time.
Adapted from the 1811 novel by Jane Austen, the plot follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret, who are from a once wealthy English family, but are left with an inheritance of only £500 a year after their father’s passing.
Faced with their new reality, they are forced to seek financial security through marriage. Marianne (Kate Winslet) is torn between the handsome John Willoughby (Greg Wise) and the older Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman).
Meanwhile, Elinor’s (Emma Thompson) romantic hopes with Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant) are hindered due to his prior engagement. Both Elinor and Marianne strive for love while the circumstances in their lives constantly change.
The cast also includes Imelda Staunton, Hugh Laurie, Harriet Walter, and Gemma Jones.
Sense and Sensibility was received with widespread acclaim, and boasts a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Director Ang Lee was also praised for his ability to dramatise social and generational conflicts.
The film got nominated to seven Oscars – and won the Best Adapted Screenplay one – as well as twelve BAFTAs, and is credited with boosting the popularity of other Jane Austen works and inspiring new adaptations in the US.
Sense and Sensibility is now available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
