Wide Sargasso Sea main backdrop
Wide Sargasso Sea main poster

Wide Sargasso Sea

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4.8/10 • 33

1993-04-161h 38m

ThrillerDramaRomance

The sensual film based on the acclaimed novel by Jean Rhys.

In the wake of Jamaican emancipation, French colonist Annette Cosway falls into poverty and marries racist Englishman Paul Mason. But when Annette's young son dies in a fire started by former slaves, Mason flees to England, leaving his grief-stricken wife and her Creole daughter Antoinette behind. Soon Antoinette learns she must marry to claim her inheritance and sets her sights on Rochester, an Englishman eerily similar to Mason.

Directors
John Duigan
Writters
Jan Sharp, Carole Angier
Characters
Jan Sharp, Carole Angier, Charlotte Brontë
Editors
Jan Sharp, Carole Angier, Jimmy Sandoval

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Karina Lombard

    Karina Lombard

    Antoinette Cosway

  2. Nathaniel Parker

    Nathaniel Parker

    Edward Rochester

  3. Rachel Ward

    Rachel Ward

    Annette Cosway

  4. Michael York

    Michael York

    Paul Mason

  5. Martine Beswick

    Martine Beswick

    Aunt Cora

  6. Claudia Robinson

    Claudia Robinson

    Christophene

  7. Paul Campbell

    Paul Campbell

    Young Bull

  8. Naomi Watts

    Naomi Watts

    Fanny Grey

  9. Rowena King

    Rowena King

    Amelie

Reviews1

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Wuchak Avatar

Wuchak

May 30, 2019

6/10

Tragedy, love, hate and madness in 19th century Jamaica A young woman (Karina Lombard) marries an Englishman (Nathaniel Parker) in mid-1800s’ Jamaica to save her plantation. Rachel Ward plays her mother, Michael York her stepfather and Martine Beswick her aunt, all three being small roles. "Wide Sargasso Sea” (1993) is an adult-oriented historical drama that’s a quasi-prequel to “Jane Eyre.” I say “quasi” because the 1966 novel the movie was based on was written by Jean Rhys 119 years after the release of Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre” in 1847. In other words, “Wide Sargasso Sea” is Rhys’ proposed prequel of that famous story, not the official one. The movie works better if you are familiar with “Jane Eyre,” but it’s not absolutely necessary. Naturally, “Wide Sargasso Sea” gives you a better understanding of what’s happening in “Jane Eyre,” which has been made into several movies, e.g. the 1970 version with George C. Scott & Susannah York, which is the only version I’ve seen. The best thing about this movie is the setting, cast and style. It successfully takes you back in time to Jamaica circa early 1850s. The two protagonists are thoroughly convincing, as are Claudia Robinson as Antoinette’s nurse, an obeah (voodoo) witch, and Rowena King as Amelie, an island girl who thinks she’s hotter than she is. Really, the whole cast rises to the challenge. There’s a revolt by ex-slaves in the first act that’s both realistic and harrowing. The story gets brighter with Antoinette & Edward’s honeymoon, but takes a dark turn in the second half. I didn’t feel there was enough cause to justify Edward’s metamorphosis. The filmmakers’ should’ve made this clearer. There’s a measure of ugliness with the last half being downbeat. If you can handle that, it’s worth checking out. It basically mixes Brando’s “Burn!” (1969) with “The Piano” (1993) and “Sirens” (1994), the latter two debuting within a year after this one. The film runs 1 hour and 38 minutes and was shot in Jamaica with a small bit in England. GRADE: B-

Media

  • Wide Sargasso Sea poster
  • Wide Sargasso Sea poster
  • Wide Sargasso Sea poster
  • Wide Sargasso Sea poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
based on novel or booknightmarejamaicavoodoodeceptionliarpromisearsonbetrayaljungleweddingfearlustslavevoyeurism