Please excuse me if this synopsis appears to be overlong - my initial intention was to convey a short interpretation of the storyline, but to do this would be of disservice to the Charlotte Bronte novel of the same name ? believe me, I have still managed to remove certain aspects of the storyline that could have been considered important. At the same time, I can promise that I won?t attempt to try such a complete description again!

Jane Eyre is a sweeping romantic saga that takes place over 11 roughly half-hour episodes. Penned by Charlotte Bronte, this a lot more than a romance ? it contains a combination of romance, morality, Dickens-like depredation, class struggle and a touch of (dare I say?) feminism/the rights of a contemporary female to have her own thoughts, rights and ambitions. It even contains a tinge of Gothic-like horror and suspense!

The story concerns a headstrong and seemingly troubled young girl ? Jane ? who is orphaned at an early age and is brought up by an aunt (Mrs Reid). We do not see a great deal of this period of Jane?s life; though it is obvious to all that she?s not having any pleasure form this arrangement ? it appears she is subject to harsh treatment by her ?brother? and unfairly punished by her aunt ? even the majority of the servants dislike her. I use the term ?appears? as at times I was not convinced that the aunt was entirely to blame ? Jane?s headstrong character may well have caused the family?s attitude towards her ? I was not convinced that the aunt was evil, or entirely to blame for Jane?s unhappiness.

At the age of ten she is sent to Lowood, a charity-based boarding school for girls where she endures average conditions, poor food, further ill treatment, and occasional kindness. Despite the evil treatment meted out towards her by the school?s principal, Mr Brocklehurst; Jane excels in her studies ? to such an extent that she remains at the school for some years as a teacher (a total of eight years at the school).

Jane?s restless nature forces her to seek new horizons, and she gains employment as a governess and tutor of Adele, a ward, at Thornfield Hall. Edward Rochester, the master of Thornfield Hall is quickly seen to be more troubled than Jane, who now has new problems to sort out ? she fears the house to be haunted.

Edward Rochester is a rude, brusque, overbearing and overall unpleasant person; rarely able to reveal any degree of ?agreeability?.

Strange occurrences now deepen the plot ? a deliberately lit fire, a violent attack upon a house guest, strange laughter coming from somewhere upstairs, and the revelation that a demented soul is locked away on the first floor ? and Jane is aware of, and becomes increasingly involved in the cover-up that Edward is perpetrating. Throughout this time Edward trifles with Jane?s growing adoration for the brooding master, asking her of her opinion of a bit of skirt that he is flirting with ? even suggesting marrying.

Throughout these ordeals, Jane receives occasional reminders of her past, at one stage revisiting her aunt?s home when she is near death. At this time her aunt advises her that in an act of spite, an uncle has been misinformed about Jane?s state of health (he is told she is dead).

Though Jane is no beauty, and Edward is 20 years older, Rochester finally sees that the true love of his life is Jane, and proposes. A sceptical Jane, despite misgivings, accepts the offer. So, have we reached the happy conclusion typical of a Bronte novel? No way ? there?s plenty more still to come!

Some nights following the proposal she witnesses a terrifying spectre in her bedroom, but Edward dismisses her fears ? it is clear that something is being withheld from her, but Edward promises only to explain the strange activities occurring in the household a year and a day after the wedding.

The wedding day arrives, and goes, without the nuptials taking place ? the service is thwarted when a personal friend of Edward?s enters the church and announces that Edward is already married, and that his wife lives upstairs at Thornfield Hall! The wedding participants return to Thornfield Hall where all is revealed ? he is, indeed, married and the first Mrs Rochester does reside at the house; but she?s as mad as a Hatter ? she was the source of the eerie laughter and other strange goings on at the house. Edward tries to explain himself away, but Jane is crushed; and though still in love, she leaves and vows never to return to Thornfield Hall.

Penniless and fatigued from her flight from Edward, she is given shelter by a pious and (seemingly) kindly gent [St. John (pronounced Sinjin) and his two sisters]. After regaining her health, she stays on and takes up a position establishing a girls? school under an assumed name (Jane Elliott), though she admits this early on to her benefactors ? this girl is indeed a noble character! However, she inadvertently discloses her name and St. John discovers her real identity ? but even this causes more subplots? She discovers that her estranged uncle has died and, hearing of her continued existence, left her the family fortune. To make matters more confusing, St. John and his sisters end up being cousins by birth!!! Whew?

If I can try cut a long story (a little?) shorter; St. John, a pastor, decides that he wants Jane as a wife, to travel with him overseas to save the souls of the heathen masses, though his proposal is not out of love and Jane is well aware of this. She still craves for Edward, even though it seems he has departed England after losing her. She refuses the business agreement initially, though she feels obliged to repay the kindness shown by her cousin. At one point she relents, only to be taken out of St. John?s arms by voices calling out for her to seek out Edward. So her life takes yet another turn, and we enter the final episode?

Jane returns to Thornfield Hall, only to find the building completely destroyed by fire. In her search for answers she finally discovers the complete truth of recent events. Apparently, Edward?s wife inflicted the arson; and Edward in vainly trying to rescue her suffers grievous injuries and enters a poverty-stricken self-imposed exile with members of his former household?s staff. Despite Edward?s apprehension, Jane pledges her undying devotion to him, and the series ends with Jane and Edward facing a relatively secure future together.

THE EXTRAS

There are no extras in this package; but in this instance, the idea of such features is quite unnecessary.

CONCLUSION

Jane Eyre is a literary achievement in every sense ? the story is rich in colour, romance, intrigue, mystery and suspense. Charlotte Bronte?s masterpiece is reproduced for the (albeit small) screen in a finely detailed and long feature. This production suffers a number of faults (notably the use of video rather than film) but the faithful rendering of the novel, together with an overall strength in casting and direction leads to an enthralling and entertaining story.

It?s a fairly long slog; but after watching the first two or three episodes, most will want to complete viewing the entire series as a pleasure.