In the film’s adaptation of Mansfield Park, Fanny’s brother William is eliminated from this version. While he is an integral part of the novel and very crucial to Fanny as a friend and confidant, his absence from the film does not take away from the overall significance of the novel.
The film, however gives Fanny strengths in other ways. In lieu of a brother Fanny is more willing to question the actions of others. She reminds Sir Thomas that had he brought slaves from Antigua that they would no longer be in bondage. And there is defiance in Fanny reply when she returns from Portsmouth and Mrs. Norris asks her how long she is to be at Mansfield Park and Fanny redirects the question back to Mrs. Norris.
Fanny’s only friend (William) other than Edmund seems to be represented as personal strength in Fanny rather than a separate individual.
In the film’s adaptation of “Mansfield Park” many important aspects of the book have been eliminated while others have gotten more attention. It seemed like the creators of the movie tried to make Fanny more modern and therefore more likable to the audience: her behavior, her speeches and the expressions were very different from Fanny that we saw in the book. In the movie she turned into very lively, not shy at all, and as Sir Thomas called her once, rather “wild” girl. I did not dislike Fanny’s character in the book, it seemed to be very amiable in its quiet assertion and strong moral principles. I think the movie lost something very important and particular that was about Fanny’s character, even though her character followed the lines of the story.
Besides eliminating William Price – Fanny’s favorite person and confidant along with Edmund, the movie adaptation gave a definite accent on Lady Bertram’s drinking habits. In the book she always looked to me as a very passive character, who did not in particular held any bad habits, but who was just too content with her lifestyle and not too caring in her attitude towards everyone.
One idea that was more explicit in the movie was an aspect of the earnings based on slavery .The conversations on this topic in the movie were more open and far more serious, one of which lead Edmund to accuse his father on using wrong ways to earn money and “lacking the principles” .