Have you ever read Rudyard Kipling’s unusual short story The Janeites? It is easy to find on-line and is fascinating. Kipling was intrigued by secret societies and closed groups, and this tale is about a group of Cockney soldiers fighting in World War I. They share a love of Jane Austen’s novels and her characters, and use her books as terms of reference – for example, a gun that goes off with a loud noise, but not much effect, is called Lady Catherine de Bugg.
I was recently contacted by a film director who is planning to make a short film of this story, the first ever made. I have read the script which is fabulous and I think it should be a most interesting film. It will be filmed in Australia – trenches will need to be created and gum trees left out of sight – and it will hopefully create greater interest in Kipling and his work. The project is being crowd-funded. If you are interested in further detail and in helping to finance this very worthwhile project, visit indiegogo.com.
And on the subject of new films, I’ve just heard that Netflix is making a new film version of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It stars Lily James and Armie Hammer, with a script by Jane Goldman who wrote Woman in Black. There is an old black and white film with Joan Fontaine and Laurence Oliver (who evidently couldn’t stand each other), and 2 TV film versions, so this will be a 4th screen version of the famous 1938 novel. “Last night I dreamed I went to Manderley again…” to get excited over once again. You could consider coming along to my talk about Rebecca at Waverley Library in September or purchasing my Literary Reader’s Guide to Rebecca.
Do you think The Janeites is a worthwhile project for crowd-funding? When was the last time you saw a movie adaptation of Rebecca? Tell me in a comment below.
Selected links for relevant websites, books, movies, videos, and more. Some of these links lead to protected content on this website, learn more about that here.
The Janeites Rudyard Kipling.
The Janeites Film crowd funding campaign by Sean O’Reilly
Book here for Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca – a talk at Waverley Library
Susannah Fullerton: Rudyard Kipling: Novelist and Poet of Empire
Susannah Fullerton: Book of the Month – The Elephant’s Child
Susannah Fullerton: The Kipling Suite
Susannah Fullerton: Lest We Forget
Susannah Fullerton: A Smuggler’s Song
Susannah Fullerton – Reader’s Guide: Daphne Du Maurier & Rebecca
Alexandra Young
Hi Susannah,
Ive only ever seen that old black and white film Rebecca and loved Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier.
I think its right she was a bit “wooden”. I would love to see Charles Dance and Emilia Fox, both fabulous actors.
Susannah Fullerton
Do try and watch the newer version – it is really good.
Carolyn Cossgrove
I own the old black and white version as I love it. But I must say that Joan Fontaine’s acting is truly dreadful…
Susannah Fullerton
I agree that she is wooden in the role. I believe she and Olivier couldn’t stand each other, which probably didn’t help. I prefer the Emilia Fox, Charles Dance version.
Carol Dawson
Think I must be just old fashioned, but most times the original is best, I can’t imagine anyone better than Fontaine and Oliver.
Susannah Fullerton
I really loved the version with Emilia Fox and Charles Dance – give it a try some time.