Jane Austen period drama hailed 'subtle masterpiece' is available to stream now

A must-see adaptation of a beloved Jane Austen classic is now gracing screens for your viewing pleasure.

Released in 1995 to critical acclaim, this film has been hailed as one of the finest Austen adaptations ever to grace the silver screen.

One IMDb user enthused in their review: "A classic for all time."

They continued: "Whoever says they just don't make the quality of pictures today that they used to hasn't seen or is ignoring this film."

Another viewer lauded the film as "a subtle masterpiece", adding: "I saw this movie in a cinema back in 1996 and since that June I have seen it about a dozen times."

They elaborated: "It is true, that being an ardent lover of the so-called Romantic (as if the 13th century couldn't be Romantic or 17th, but these things are academic nonsense) period I can enjoy even minor pieces of period cinema, however this is most probably the best film set in the early 19th century."

Yet another reviewer praised the adaptation with the headline: "Faithful, beautiful, enjoyable, one of the best film adaptations of period novels."

Their review noted: "Normally period adaptations need at least a few hours to do proper justice. And so it is usually the television versions that are better for those who like things faithful to text. Film versions usually truncate and romanticise/Hollywoodise which can be frustrating.

"However, films have bigger budgets and better production values so are easier on the eye. However, this is a shining example of 2.5 hour film which packed so much detail in for a real complete sense of the novel, but also with great faithful performances, at the same time as being great to watch with all the production values and cinematography or a big budget movie. One of the better film adaptations of period pieces ever."

During the Austen adaptation frenzy, Hollywood's Sense and Sensibility emerged alongside other notable works such as the BBC's Pride and Prejudice featuring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, and Persuasion starring Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds. Not to mention, Clueless, a contemporary take on Emma, also made waves in cinemas.

Adapted from Jane Austen's 1811 classic, Sense and Sensibility tells the tale of sisters Elinor Dashwood (Emma Thompson) and Marianne Dashwood (Kate Winslet), who find themselves navigating love with contrasting approaches after falling into poverty.

The Dashwood sisters' quest for financial stability through wise marriages is fraught with unexpected developments.

Boasting an impressive ensemble cast, Sense and Sensibility featured Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Greg Wise, Gemma Jones, Dame Harriet Walter, James Fleet, Hugh Laurie, and Imelda Staunton.

Not only did the esteemed British actress Thompson star in the film, but she also penned the screenplay, earning her an Oscar for Best Writing.

Both Thompson and Winslet were honoured with BAFTA Film Awards for their stellar performances in Sense and Sensibility.

The film marked a significant milestone for Taiwanese director Ang Lee, serving as his international breakthrough. He would later clinch Oscars for his work on Brokeback Mountain and The Life of Pi.

Despite subsequent adaptations of Sense and Sensibility, including the BBC's 2008 miniseries, this rendition is widely regarded as the pinnacle among Austen adaptations.

Sense and Sensibility 1995 is streaming on Apple TV and Prime Video for a fee