“Jane Austen wrote: ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’ With apologies to Ms. Austen, it is also a universal truth that such a man -- especially if he happens to be tall, dark and brooding -- makes a great hero for a romantic movie, miniseries or television show,” said Kris Slava, SVP, Programming and Production, Ovation TV.
Beginning with the US Premiere of the four-part Pride and Prejudice inspired fantastical miniseries Lost in Austen starring Jemima Rooper which finds a modern day British woman transported to Elizabeth Bennet's Longborn, the channel continues their dedication to film versions of classic romances throughout the week.
Featuring the cable premiere of screenwriter Andrew Davies' adaptation of Dr. Zhivago starring Keira Knightley and Sam Neill in a two part miniseries, Ovation is also slated to run the Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons version of The French Lieutenant's Woman, Colin Firth and Annette Bening's Valmont (based on the novel Dangerous Liasions) and the magic realism epic Like Water for Chocolate during its "Tall, Dark & Classic" event.
From Ovation TV:
“Tall, Dark & Classic” will include the following titles on these days and times:
-- Lost in Austen (US Premiere) - Parts 1 & 2, Sunday, January 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Parts 3 & 4, Monday, January 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Jemima Rooper stars as Amanda Price - a frustrated romantic who lives for reading and adores the characters in her Jane Austen books. One fateful day she discovers a gateway in her apartment to the world of her favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice. When she trades places with Elizabeth Bennet, the story gets thrown off track by her presence. Unexpected twists and turns will delight fans of Pride and Prejudice as Amanda tries to set the “true” story back to right.
Check Out a Video Clip From Part 1 of the Series Below:
-- Dr. Zhivago (Cable Premiere) – Part 1, Tuesday, January 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Part 2, Wednesday, January 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Boris Pasternak's epic love story set against the turmoil of the Russian Revolution is adapted into a new mini-series by celebrated screenwriter Andrew Davies ("Pride and Prejudice", "Bridget Jones' Diary"). Starring Kiera Knightley, Sam Neill and Hans Matheson ("The Tudors").
-- The French Lieutenant's Woman – Thursday, January 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons star in this sweeping romantic drama about two actors whose lives parallel those of the doomed lovers they play in a film. Streep was nominated for her first Best Actress Oscar for the role.
--Valmont – Friday, January 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Two scheming aristocrats with a penchant for manipulation find themselves victims of their own games when Valmont, a notorious womanizer, falls in love with an honorable, married woman. Stars Colin Firth and Oscar-nominated actress Annette Bening in her first dramatic feature film. This is Milos Forman’s adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons)."
-- Like Water For Chocolate – Saturday, January 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
Based on Laura Esquivel's best-selling book, this is the erotic and magical tale of forbidden love that seduced both critics and audiences nationwide. Lovelorn Tita expresses her feelings for Pedro through delectable dishes where ordinary spices become a recipe for passion.
For in-depth analysis of three of Pride and Prejudice's film adaptations and Like Water for Chocolate, be sure to visit the Film Intuition Articles & Essays Archive.
