Rating: 
Summary: An overshadowed gem
Review: Forget if you can, Gwynneth Paltrow's worthy but stiff Emma, which was so marred by the supporting cast. This is a supberb adaptation of Jane Austen's book, convincing in it period detail, and utterly charming. Every character is, somehow, as one would like to imagine them. Kate Beckinsale makes Emma convincing in her follies, and utterly warm and attractive, as she ought to be. There is a particularly brilliant performance from Mark Strong, who makes the moralizing Mr. Knightly smoulder. In supporting roles, Bernard Hepton as Emma's self-absorbed hypochondriac father turns in a finely tuned performance that is never caricature; and, equally, Prunella Scales as Miss Bates maintains great dignity in her comic turn. Beyond the excellent performances, this is lovely to look at. Even if you are not a "Jane-ite", try this.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent adaptation...
Review: ...which, unfortunately, sets the wrong tone. Much of the original, elegant humor is lost, and some of the characters are miswritten.
Rating:
Summary: Far superior to the Paltrow version!
Review: This version of Emma, the wannabe matchmaker with a gift for wreaking havoc, is far superior to the much-acclaimed Paltrow release. First of all, it explains some of the characters more, giving them more rounded and fuller backgrounds into the story. Second of all, I think that the characters have more interaction and chemistry than in the other version. I love the character of Frank Churchill in this one;he is an absolute jerk, more rounded out in character and position. Also, I love Emma's inability to see what her interference in the matters of the heart does to other people. She almost misses the chance for love herself. Thankfully, it all turns out well at the end of this lovely romantic comedy. You will want to watch it over and over again!
Rating: 
Summary: kate beckinsale version+gwyneth Paltrow version=greatmovie!
Review: every time I watch this or the over version I feel there is something missing.this has a stud muffin of a frank churchill that gynweth lacks, but knightly is certainly not developed enough in character or nearly as handsome as gwyneth's knightly.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful adaptation of the book
Review: One hour and forty six minutes is not nearly enough time for this video to convey the nuances of the Jane Austen book. Too bad A&E et. al. didn't have the courage to develop it further, as they did previously with Pride and Prejudice.That aside, however, everything contained within the 106 minutes of this video is superbly presented and wonderfully true to the book. Superior to the Gwyteth Paltrow version, in my humble opinion, which came out the same year. This film rightly understands that the book is not simply about a self-deluded matchmaker, but about a spoiled yet good hearted rich girl growing into responsibility and womanhood. I loved every page of the book, and aside from its brevity, this movie did not disappoint as an adaptation.
Rating:
Summary: I'd give it six stars if I could.
Review: I'd never particularly cared for the book -- Mr. Knightly seemed so old! (and I'm a real Janeite) All previous adaptations of Emma had a Mr. Knightly in his late 40's - or 50's (while the book says he's 37). Watching this adaptation finally gave me an understanding of the book (I started re-reading the book the day after I saw this.) Mark Strong is wonderful, wonderful -- he brings Knightly to life (and he's a real hunk); Kate B. is Emma -- and she really demonstrates Emma's boredon (which is the trait that gets her in so much trouble); Prunella Scales is a joy as Miss Bates; Harriet was perfect, with the right neediness, etc., etc. The casting is inspired and and I suspect Ms. Austen would approve of the interpretations. I loved it! P.S. I didn't see the Paltrow Emma, but I always hate the way Hollywood butchers literature.
Rating: 
Summary: Paltrow's version is far superior
Review: I saw Gwyteth Paltrows version of Emma first, and this movie did not live up to it at all. Kate Beckinsale was marvoulous as Hero in "Much Ado About Nothing", but in this movie she makes Emma seem nasty. Harriet was a little waif, Frank Churchill was to flirty (Ewan McGregor did a much better job), and Mr. Knightly was constantly angry with Emma. You never got a chance to fall in love with him like you can in Gwyneth Paltrows version. The costumes, sets and music are pretty bad, too.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely well done--one of my favorite movies!
Review: This British (A&E) version of Jane Austen's Emma is so much more skillfully done than the Gwyneth Paltrow (Hollywood) version. Kate Beckinsale is incredible as Emma. She plays the part so realistically and convincingly, while Paltrow almost makes a joke out of the story. The A&E version is also so much more true to the book than the Hollywood version. (I have noticed that it is often this way: the Brits end up outdoing the flashy, but unfortunately shallow Hollywooders.) Along with all that, the music is beautiful, the scenery, unforgettable. This is definitely a must-see for anyone interested in Jane Austen or that time period in history!
Rating:
Summary: Kate Beckinsale captures the essence of Emma.
Review: While Miss Paltrow is acceptable, Ms. Beckinsale truly becomes Emma. This rendition is superior to the glossier Paltrow version largely due to the much superior casting. The Harriets do not even compare...this Harriet is shy, pretty, and reflective. The Harriet in Paltrow's version looks like the dark-haired one of Cagney and Lacey (I don't know, or care, which is Cagney or Lacey); she overacts terribly. Ms. Beckinsale's version is also far superior in the "finer" touches...period behavior, language, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: What's with the Ally McBeal halucinations? Not in book...
Review: This video had many more scenes in it that were in the book than the Gwenyth Paltrow version. However, the halucinations by Emma were much distracting as were the character choices for Mr. Knightley, Miss Bates, and Jane Fairfax. Kate Beckinsale misses the point in Emma's dispair of losing her governess and loses herself in la-la-land to dream up her schemes. Gwenyth at least looked thoughtful when she decided to help Harriet, not some divine intervention scene as displayed in this version. Mr. Knightley was awful looking, as was Miss Bates - she's supposed to be old, but not ancient. Miss Fairfax was too similar in appearance to Kate Beckinsale, looks like they could have done a coin toss to equal each other. Frank Churchill played his part well, but it was hard for me to believe his indifference between the two similar looking women as he claimed Jane was too pale. (What was Emma, then?). Thumbs up to A&E for their efforts to bring the book alive, I wish they'd have done as much for the characters.
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