Okay, first of all
, Janet Suzman receives my vote, tho' I've enjoyed seeing Ethel Barrymore, Greta Scacchi and Gayle Hunnicut in the role as well, with an honorable mention to the young actress who played "Alix" in the
Edward the King series for very gently reminding her dear Grandmama Queen that she'd already been told about an anniversary . . . several times before!
We see only briefly the folks playing NAOTMAA in
Russian Ark, but they all seemed fine. And I regret that I have yet to see Lynda Bellingham's performance in the Russian-produced film.
I like Janet Suzman's performance because to me she captures the shy, earnest but mercurial person that I think Alexandra could be, given all the stresses in her life. I like her Britishness--appropriate for a granddaughter of Queen Victoria who spent much of her growing up years in England--but sometimes all Janet Suzman needs to do is cast a silent glance at another character . . . she is every inch the fierce lioness protecting her son and her husband!
As for Ethel Barrymore and her possible connection to the real Empress . . . I mentioned in another thread that I had read somewhere about Barrymore having met Alexandra, and that it might be possible, since Barrymore was already the toast of Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, I think it must have been someone else who suggested that Barrymore and the Tsarina met at Queen Victoria's funeral . . . which is not correct, for--as many of us know--Alexandra sent correspondence in which she stated her regrets at being unable to see her grandmama one more time or even attend her funeral.
Ethel Barrymore was a very self-possessed woman who was, in her youth, a style-setter, and in her older years was considered one of
the great ladies of the theater. Consider that she had to deal her father's alcholism plus two overweening brothers and I think you'll agree that anyone in that position
had to be a scrapper!
I've admired Janet Suzman in other roles since Alexandra and find her a mesmerizing and gifted actress. It may well be that she has some "temperment"--I think it would be highly unusual if anyone who has made a career of acting did not have
some temperment. Also, unlike the rest of us, most of these folks are observed on an almost 24/7 basis, so just one wrong move and the word gets around!
(Come to think of it, I have some
definite temperment and am soooo glad that reporters and so forth aren't standing by to see
me exhibit it!)
Finally
I do agree with Martyn that Michael Jayston not only portrayed Nicholas in admirable fashion, but also was a terrific Mr. Rochester. Wish I had that particular production on video or DVD, in fact . . .
Jane Eyre is one of my favorite novels, and I'm always intrigued (as I am with the story of Nicholas and Alexadra) to see it dramatized!
