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Tuesday, October 10, 2006

And Now a Word from St.John Rivers


We finally hear from (and about) the new St.John Rivers- Andrew Buchan- appearing this weekend in the last episode of Jane Eyre 2006.

Former Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil Andrew Buchan plays Jane's love interest, clergyman St John Rivers, in the last of the four part series.

"I didn't even get to snog anyone and felt like walking out, " he joked.

"Rivers is a stubborn one, quite uptight, and someone who always keeps things to himself.
"We both have blue eyes but I'm not sure if I match up to the other descriptions of him, the square jaw."
Andrew was in America when his agent offered him the audition for the part.
"I said, Oh come on, this isn't me,' but I went for the audition and I got it. I learned my lines in a bar in Soho, with big bad techno beats in the background which was ridiculous, but I still got the part.
"Filming was hilarious because they got me in all the gear - a massive hat and ruffled shirt - and took me to the middle of Derbyshire.
"All the crew were standing around and the producer held an umbrella over my head and said Welcome, this is your church.'"
His character in the adaptation is a local clergyman who rescues Jane from the moors.
He nurses her back to health and a year later he proposes to her, offering her a life of companionship as a missionary.
Jane finds herself with a dilemma: Should she stay with dependable St John Rivers or go back to Thornfield to face the demons of her past.

15 comments:

Jen said...

It's a good thing to not mention Hugh Grant; he's lightweight romantic whereas Rochester and Sinjin are both heavyweights.

Anonymous said...

I never understood why they call St. John Jane's other love interest. I don't remember any semblence of love between them. There was interest, I suppose. But only in using her for his own pursuits.

I love it when she ditches him and runs back to Rochester. Run, Jane. Run!!

Anonymous said...

Learning his lines in a bar? Tsk, tsk. Mr. Rivers would never approve. :D

Brontëana said...

to kayxyz:

They didn't mention Hugh, though- did they?

Brontëana said...

to chrisv:

Yes... I've seen him described so before. I've seen the book described as this ridiculous scenario of two gorgeous men throwing themselves at this short ugly woman. Pf. He was not interested in her romantically whatsoever, and although he's handsome Jane is not in love with him. Hardly a 'love interest'...

I think he's a very important character but so far I have only come across one adaptation which really brought him to life- and it was scary!

Brontëana said...

to claire:

I would love to see what he'd have to say about that...

And the techno music.

Anonymous said...

That portrayal wouldn't happen to be on your "special edition" dvd musical adaptation?? He is quite the foil for Rochester.

Anonymous said...

Download of episode 3? Anyone?

Jen said...

2 anon: yes, let's have episode 3 d/l in managable chunks. For the literary minded, and i know it's everyone here, Francine Prose has written a new book on writing that separates the popular press from the literary press. She really, really, likes to quote Chekov; the book is worth a look. Ah.

rinabeana said...

For Pete's sake! I totally agree with the comments on the "love interest" description. Does anyone read the book anymore??? Jane could never love anyone else. She only *almost* gave in to St. John's proposal because he'd been wearing her down psychologically for months. (Wretched selfish man!) Stay with the "dependable" St. John??? GAG ME!!! He was trying to lure her to her death, but extort as much physical labor out of her as he could first. RAH!

Brontëana said...

to chrisv:

Oh no. It was the BBC 1972 radio mini-series. He was absolutely terrifying. At first I thought this can't be right, so I reread that section of the book and to my surprise it was all there. He and the actress playing Jane absolutely nailed it. I think a lot of actors don't take St.John seriously... But he certainly did. He was magnetic but obviously destructive. You could hear him breaking her down by inches. *shudder* But then when she breaks away, her 'you must forbear to question me, St.John!' is full of so much power if actually made me cheer when I heard it. :)

Anonymous said...

Ah, so you meant "it was scary" as a tribute to the high quality of the acting not facetiously. Sounds like a great interpretation of his self-rightousness versus her strong will. Is this version available somewhere?

Brontëana said...

to chrisv:

I mean to post it sometime but I actually have lost the first hour (it is 5 hours long *sighs happily*). Rochester, Jane, and St.John are all magnificient in it.

Bad adaptations never scare me. ;) Although the 1997 film came close. I was too busy laughing to be horrified, though.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to hear that version.

Sometimes bad adaptations are scary in a good way. :)

Anonymous said...

Hello:

Does anyone know where I can download the 3rd episode? Thanks.