

Episode 1
Episode 1 | 50m 40sVideo has Closed Captions
Jane encounters Mr Rochester, but does his heart belong to another?
After surviving the cruel regime of a harsh charity school, orphan Jane Eyre takes a job as a governess at Thornfield Hall. Here, she finds herself increasingly attracted to her enigmatic master, Mr Rochester. But Jane's peaceful existence is shattered when strange events in the night threaten danger.
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Jane Eyre is presented by your local public television station.

Episode 1
Episode 1 | 50m 40sVideo has Closed Captions
After surviving the cruel regime of a harsh charity school, orphan Jane Eyre takes a job as a governess at Thornfield Hall. Here, she finds herself increasingly attracted to her enigmatic master, Mr Rochester. But Jane's peaceful existence is shattered when strange events in the night threaten danger.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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[dramatic music playing] [crickets chirping] [John] Where is the rat?
[Eliza] She's behind the curtain, where she always hides.
[gasps] [grunting and panting] -[grunts] -Ah!
[whimpering] [yells] [John] Mama!
Jane has knocked me down!
[door slams] [Mrs. Reed] Take her up to the red room immediately.
[panting] That child has the devil in her!
I've always said!
[Jane] No, not the red room!
No!
No, not the red room!
No!
[door slams] [sobbing] Don't come back, Uncle Reed.
Please don't come back.
Uncle Reed, please don't come back, please.
[thunder crashes] [panting] Let me out!
Please don't leave me!
Let me out!
Let me out!
Let me out!
Come along, John.
Yes, come on, John.
We haven't got all day.
Don't worry.
I won't shoot you.
Unless we don't like the painting, that is.
[chuckles] Hello.
Well, shouldn't you be in the portrait?
There's still plenty of room.
Jane Eyre?
She's not part of the family.
I have tried so very hard.
You cannot believe how hard I have tried, but... [whispers] There is the devil in the child.
What is your name, child?
Jane Eyre, sir.
Do you know, Jane Eyre, what happens to little children when they die?
They go to heaven.
And what happens to disobedient, deceitful girls when they die?
They go to hell.
So, what must you do to avoid this terrible fate?
[sighs] I must take care to keep in good health and not to fall ill, sir.
Your aunt tells me that you are a deceitful child.
Is that true, Jane Eyre?
I am not a liar.
So do you say your aunt is a liar?
[birds cawing] [horses chuff] [sighs] [bell ringing] [gasps] [bell clanging continuous] Ah, Jane Eyre.
How could I forget?
Step out here, Jane.
Jane Eyre, I'm sorry to have to tell you, is a liar.
The lesson of the day will be that lying is a sin, that all liars deserve to be shunned by their fellows.
Stand on that stool, Jane.
You will stay there until midnight, and you will not eat or drink but bow to beg God's forgiveness for your sin.
[wistful music playing] [Jane] I wish I could escape to one of these places, somewhere where it's warm.
I believe you will.
But you'll have to work hard.
We have to accept that we've been left here by our families to fend for ourselves.
If you take advantage of the education here, if you are not too rebellious, and if you are patient, then you will find your way out.
We will both work our hardest and pray that God spares us until we are grown up.
And then what do we do?
I think when we grow up we have to be teachers.
How do we ever get out of here, Helen?
We advertise.
[coughing] [sighs] [girl coughing] [muffled sobbing] [coughing] [sniffling] [sobbing softly] [girl coughing] There you are.
[whispering] You're very cold, Jane.
Come on under my covers.
[dramatic music playing] [birds tweeting] No.
No!
God can't have her!
[crying] He can't take her!
God has already taken her, Jane.
You must be brave.
[footsteps recede] [Jane] Helen.
Helen!
[crying] Helen!
Helen!
[bell tolling] [dramatic music playing] [lighthearted music playing] [birds tweeting] Girls, look how the sun casts shadows in the flowers.
If you want to recreate that, put down your charcoals and just smudge the edges where the dark shadows are.
Come on, girls.
Hurry up now.
Miss Eyre.
There appears to be a letter for you, Miss Eyre.
[birds tweeting] [Mrs. Fairfax] "If Miss J.E.
is in a position "to give satisfactory references "as to character and competency, "then we will be happy to engage her "as a governess to Miss Adele Varens, ward of Mr. Rochester of Thornfield Hall."
[dramatic music playing] [birds chirping] Ah, there's Thornfield Hall now, Miss.
There's always a light burning in the tower.
-[birds chirping] -[wings beating] [gasps] Are you taking me to Mrs. Fairfax?
In there.
[door creaking] Why, it's Miss Eyre.
Oh, at last.
[Mrs. Fairfax laughs] Oh, we've been waiting for you for so long!
Oh, I'm Mrs. Fairfax.
Welcome to Thornfield.
My goodness, Miss Eyre, how hungry you are.
You must have been traveling all day.
How long is it since you have sat beside the fire and eaten a hearty meal?
Oh, approximately eight years.
Oh, my goodness.
[laughs] Eight years?
[laughing] Hasn't sat by the fire for eight years.
[laughing] Eight years.
I'll tell the master that when he gets back from abroad.
That will amuse even him.
Oh, not that he's without humor, of course.
No, certainly not.
I remember he used to tell jokes as a child.
He keeps himself to himself, but you needn't worry.
He's hardly ever at home, always traveling.
[birds tweeting] [gentle music playing] [sighs] [birds tweeting continuous] Miss Eyre.
[sighs] You are up early.
I hope you slept well.
Yes, thank you.
I was anxious to meet Adele.
Ah, yes, well, you won't have to wait long.
Does she play up there?
Oh, goodness me, no.
No one lives up there.
Oh, I thought I saw someone at the window.
There's only Grace Poole there.
She does the laundry.
-[Adele] Mrs. Fairfax!
-Ah.
I don't think Miss Adele can wait any longer.
[singing in French] 00:30:07:21Bonjour, Mademoiselle Jeanne.
I'm so very... [speaking French] [speaks French] Oh, thank goodness.
You'll be able to understand her.
Uh, now you can tell me what she is singing.
[Adele resumes singing in French] Well...
I believe it is a romance.
Mm.
The woman is declaring her love for her sweetheart.
Ah.
Merci, merci, merci, I will dance another one.
Later, maybe.
But first, you'll show me to our schoolroom.
[dramatic music playing] [bell tolls] [stream babbling] [sheep bleats] [dog barking] [barking continuous] [growling] [whinnying] [man] Damn it!
Christ!
[dog barking] Quiet, Pilot!
Damn it.
-Are you injured, sir?
-Get away from me, you... witch.
You've done enough damage.
I cannot think of leaving you until I see you are fit to mount your horse.
[sighs] You should be at home yourself.
-Where do you live?
-At Thornfield Hall.
I can fetch help.
I'll be a little while.
-[groans] -[horse whinnies] You think you can bring him over to me?
[whinnies] Come over here.
Come.
[grunts] Come here, come here.
Whoa.
Hold these.
[grunting] [loon calls] [sighs] Thank you, Miss...?
Jane Eyre, sir.
Well, that's what happens when you bewitch a man's horse, Miss Eyre.
A lot of pain and cursing.
I did not bewitch your horse, sir.
I was waiting for you to go past.
You were hovering, casting spells.
Now get off back to Thornfield Hall, if that is indeed where you live.
I do.
But I will post my letter first before I return.
Don't be late back... Miss Jane Eyre.
[clicks tongue] [dog barking] [dramatic music playing] [thunder rumbling] [cutlery clacking] Ah, Miss Eyre, there you are.
What do you think?
The master is back.
Mr. Rochester?
Not a word about his return, as usual.
And he had an accident on the road.
The doctor is with him in the drawing room now.
Adele, come away!
Time for bed.
Mr. Rochester will see you tomorrow.
[birds tweeting] [indistinct chattering] [knock on door] Miss Eyre, make yourself ready.
Master has finished his business for the day and wishes to see you.
-Me?
-Yes.
Oh, no, no, no, you must change.
[clears throat] This will have to do.
[clock chimes] This will have to do.
Ah, Miss Eyre.
[speaking French] [Rochester] A boite for Miss Eyre?
Does Miss Eyre require a present?
Excuse me, sir?
[Rochester] Does the governess expect me to have brought her a present back from my travels overseas?
No, sir.
[Rochester] What are you doing standing over there where I can't see you?
Where would you like me to stand, sir?
Here.
Sit.
Are you fond of presents, Miss Eyre?
I hardly know, sir.
I have little experience of them.
Never had a present?
I believe they're generally thought pleasant things, sir.
Hmm.
But to this frivolous little doll, this true daughter of Paris, they are the stuff of life, aren't they, my little...?
The thought of presents makes her live and breathe.
Monsieur Rochester?
[speaking French] Quiet, while I talk to Miss Eyre.
[Adele gasps and speaks French] [clears throat] Where are you from?
Lowood Institution, sir.
-[Rochester] How long?
-[Jane] Eight years.
I'm amazed you survived.
You're so small.
Didn't they feed you?
No, sir.
And how do you find yourself here and not still there?
I advertised, sir.
[laughs] Of course you did.
What of your family?
I have none, sir.
None whatsoever?
Friends?
None, sir.
None at all?
I had a friend once, but she died a long time ago, sir.
You're lucky, Miss Eyre.
If you do not love another living soul, then you'll never be disappointed.
Yes, sir.
Adele tells me that you play the piano brilliantly.
I play a little, sir.
[Rochester] Of course.
A little.
That's what they all say.
Go over there and play.
[Adele speaking French] [upbeat piano music playing] Enough!
[stops playing] Yes, you're right.
You do play a little.
These yours?
Yes, sir.
These are...
These are interesting.
Are the ideas all yours?
Yes, sir.
Were you happy when you painted these?
[Adele speaking French] I was fully occupied.
I was not unhappy.
[in English] What do you think of me, Monsieur?
Do you think I look beautiful?
Shall I dance for you?
Miss Eyre, what are you thinking of?
It's very late.
Adele should be in bed.
And my foot hurts like the blazes.
Good night, sir.
So, what did you think of Master?
He is very changeable.
Yes.
But he has...
He has had disappointments in his life.
I hope you will forgive his rough and ready ways.
You will not leave?
I've grown used to you.
I hope he won't scare you away.
I'm not scared of rough manners.
-[liquid bubbling] -He will be gone soon.
He never stays for more than a few days at a time.
[water babbling] Afternoon, Miss.
[door opens] Miss Eyre.
Come here.
Sit.
Not you, Pilot.
Miss Eyre, excuse me.
I'm, uh, used to giving orders and having them obeyed.
Sit, if you please.
I beg your pardon, sir.
I did not ask your permission to read the books.
Permission?
To read the books?
You're a thinking, intelligent woman, aren't you?
Why ever would you need to ask permission?
Who else is to read them?
Adele?
The venerable Fairfax?
I'd more likely find Pilot pouring over the flora and fauna of the South American flatlands.
So, anyway, talk.
-Talk, sir?
-Yes, talk, if you please.
See how I'm learning to be polite.
I've had a tedious day of mortgages and share prices, and I would like to be entertained.
-Entertained, sir?
-Miss Eyre, can we proceed?
When I'm tired, I tend to dwell on my darker thoughts.
I would like to entertain you, sir.
I'm not sure what would interest you.
A smile.
A very small one.
The mere glimpse of a smile, at last.
Tell me your thoughts.
I command you.
I was just thinking, sir, not many employers would ask the opinion of someone they pay £30 a year to.
I pay you a salary, do I?
Well, of course I do.
Well, then I should have my money's worth then.
Oh, I can see there's another problem.
Out with it.
You haven't actually paid me anything yet, sir.
Oh!
Mercenary girl!
Fetch me my keys now!
You want my money in your hand -before you will amuse me?
-[laughs] No, sir.
That will not be necessary, sir.
Maybe you could ask me questions, sir?
Uh... Have you traveled, Miss Eyre?
No, sir.
All young people wish to travel, even if they find kindness and food and a fire, they wish to be gone.
I've traveled all over the world, Miss Eyre, and it's very overrated.
Yes, sir.
When I was a young man I was your equal.
I had a clear conscience, unpolluted by sin.
I took the wrong path.
It wasn't my fault that I took it, but...
I must bear the blame for continuing on it.
[chuckles softly] I think you may have a little of the witch about you.
You bewitched my horse.
You sit there patiently and would draw out secrets of my past.
I do not wish to pry, sir.
I know, Jane.
Do you think me handsome, Jane?
No, sir.
[laughs] Look carefully.
If I were to tell you that I'm worth £20,000... surely the light from the fire would soften my features.
Do I not seem to you now the very model of a fashionable man?
I do not think there's anything in science that will allow that, sir.
[laughs] I spoke hastily, sir.
I did not mean that I find you repellent.
[sighs] What I meant is that it is the character inside that determines a person.
Not the outer shell.
Take care, Jane.
Don't look too closely inside of me.
You might not find anything within at all beautiful.
And then where would we be?
[speaking foreign language] -Is that Grace Poole?
-[clears throat] Does she live alone in the North Tower?
North Tower catches the wind.
I don't know why.
It makes me shiver just to think of it.
[door thuds] [eerie music playing] [doorknob rattles] [doorknob rattling] [footsteps thudding] [panting] No, Pilot.
No, you don't belong here.
Go back to your master.
[Rochester] Pilot, come here!
[birds tweeting] [Rochester] Jane?
Come and look at this fellow.
Come here.
Look at his wings.
I've seen one like this in the West Indies, but never here.
That'll teach me to tease Adele.
Come, sit down with me for a while.
Sit.
[sighs] As it is now your job as well as mine to bring Adele up correctly...
I'm gonna tell you about her.
About where she came from and who she belongs to.
Maybe you'll understand.
You do not need to tell me anything.
I know.
You understand too much without me saying anything.
It's the witch in you.
You have to imagine a young man.
Well, one who is still youngish and who has made a mistake.
Not his fault, but this mistake and the darkness that follows it... has set him helter-skelter around the world in search of beauty to help ease his soul.
And he does find beauty.
Or rather, beauty finds him because, as you will guess, this is a very rich youngish man.
That look.
No judgment.
No pity.
That look could pry secrets from the blackest souls.
Where were we?
Beauty finding a youngish man.
Ah, yes.
So, on our whirlwind tour, we alight in Paris.
Now, Jane, imagine-- I know it's difficult.
--imagine a suite of rooms in a particularly gorgeous Parisian hotel.
It is upholstered with velvets and furs.
Everything is sensuous to the touch, the best that this youngish man's money can buy.
It is a summer evening, and there is perfume in the air.
The young man breathes in the scent of his lover.
Musk and amber.
Her name is Celine Varens.
She's very beautiful.
She is a dancer.
An exotic bird.
She dotes on him... and he is passionately in love with her.
He's had a fortunate night gambling and he waits for her now in anticipation of the dark, intoxicating hours ahead.
Are you still with me, Jane?
[Jane] I'm here, sir.
[Celine giggling] [Rochester] At last, he hears the sound of her return.
Only a few more second's wait until he sees her.
[Celine laughing] An eternity passes.
[Celine speaking French] [man] Merci, merci.
[Rochester] At that very moment... as I stood in the shadows... the green snake of jealousy bit into my heart.
Where is your beast of an Englishman tonight?
Gambling.
Someone else can look at his unpleasant face.
He is very presentable, really, for an Englishman.
£20,000 make him very presentable.
She wasn't as clear-sighted as you are, Jane.
You find me unattractive despite my wealth.
You do not know what it is to feel jealousy, do you, Jane?
Because you have no idea what it is to love.
You have no idea what it is to feel the very beat of someone's heart within one's breast.
No, sir.
Do you still love her, sir?
Who?
Celine.
I mean, Miss Varens.
Good God, no.
No, I threw her out of the hotel room and I shot him... in the shoulder or some insignificant place.
No, when I saw what a wretched fool she'd meddled with, I knew she could never love me.
That's obvious, surely.
And Adele?
She left her in the hotel when she ran off.
Celine claimed that I was the father, but a fairly elementary study of biology would prove that impossible.
Tell me, Jane, is there anything about me that remotely resembles Adele?
Look at me carefully now.
No, sir.
She left her in the hotel, a parcel with a label on with my name.
What was I to do, leave her there to starve?
I provided for her in France, then a few months ago it was necessary to bring her here.
She was not my responsibility, but I took her on just the same.
So as her guardian and your master, what do you think of my behavior, Miss Eyre?
Did I do the right thing?
It was the right thing to do, wasn't it, Jane?
Yes, sir.
[gentle piano music playing] [door closes] [dramatic music playing] [doorknob rattling] [scratching] [sighs] Go away, Pilot.
Pilot, go back to your master.
[wind gusting] [footsteps running] [voice echoes] [laughter] Who is there?
[footsteps] [footsteps thud] [voices echo indistinctly] [rushed footsteps thudding] [door slams] [Jane breathing heavily] [knocks] Hello?
Hello?
[intense music playing] [dramatic music playing]
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