Benefits Of ‘Persuasion’ Go Beyond Setting

“Masterpiece Theatre” ushers in spring with a treat: a love-lost/love-gained classic by Jane Austen.

This bittersweet 1995 adaptation of “Persuasion” (KSPS Sunday at 8) marks a milestone for this venerable anthology series. It’s the first time a “Theatre” production has been released theatrically before arriving on the small screen.

This production, which received critical acclaim, is perhaps one of the more intelligent interpretations of Austen’s work. It has been praised for its in-depth look at 27-year-old Anne Elliot (Amanda Root), who is nearly past her prime.

When Elliot was 19, her family friend (Susan Fleetwood) and her snooty social-climbing father persuaded her to refuse a marriage proposal by a handsome young man named Wentworth (Ciaran Hinds).

Eight years later, her scheming dad and equally egotistical two sisters have written Anne off as hopeless. They believe her prospects of ever marrying are dim.

To add insult to injury, Wentworth has re-entered Anne’s life as a rich sea captain. But he is romancing another and has made it obvious that he barely remembers Anne.

The parallels between “Cinderella” and “Persuasion” are many. Only in this case, a shoe is not the key to bringing Cinderella together with Prince Charming; it’s having the presence of mind to ignore persuasive friends and relatives.

At times, this movie has the feel of a glorious fairy tale with seaside scenes, dances, social teas and long walks in England’s hilly countrysides. But weaved among the idyllic scenes are darkness and satire.

Anne is a far cry from a whimsical character; she’s no meddling Emma. Root defines her as a woman in personal turmoil having one foot in confidence and the other in insecurity.

Anne has been persuaded to go in so many different directions, she doesn’t really know what to do.

Her coming-of-age dilemmas and romantic entanglements often transcend the time period and become universally relevant. We have all been saddled with conflicting advice and intense persuasion. That’s why one could be easily persuaded to tune in this Austen masterpiece.

Highlights

“National Geographic’s Tigers of the Snow,” NBC tonight at 8: The elusive Siberian tiger, which has been quite camera shy, is caught in rare scenes. This one roars with images.

“Wrangler Bull Riders Only World Championship,” FOX tonight at 9: Live rodeo competition comes to prime time. Those in the know can look forward to the rematch between Cowboy Association world champion Terry Don West and a bull named Bodacious.

“Louisa May Alcott’s ‘The Inheritance,”’ CBS Sunday at 9: This tale set in the 1870s (and believed to be Alcott’s first novel) will sweep you away into a Jane Austen-like world of aristocracy, big houses, horse rides, grand dances and mismatches. Meredith Baxter, Tom Conti and Cari Shayne star in this tale geared for lovers of romance.

“When Secrets Kill” (1997), ABC Sunday at 9: This whodunit is all about someone who kills because of the fear that secrets might be exposed. Timothy Busfield plays a police detective out to find the killer and uncover the secrets.

Parents’ Pick

“The Sandlot” (1993), ABC tonight at 8: This magical coming-of-age tale is about a group of kids and their love of baseball. Tom Guiry plays the new kid on the block who wants to be part of the local baseball team that plays in an abandoned sandlot.

Parents will applaud this tale because it never focuses on being the best or winning. In fact, there isn’t even a big game for these kids to win to prove their self-worth.

Instead, the point is to examine respect, friendship and good sportsmanship. Nostalgic “Sandlot” brings you into an inviting world of carefree summers when kids solved their own conflicts in their own inimitable style. Repeat.

Cable Calls

“Nixon” (1995), SHOW tonight at 8: Oliver Stone’s dark biography of the 37th president offers a standout performance by Anthony Hopkins as a brooding Nixon. The movie is dark, shadowy and filled with mysteries - just what Stone fans want.

“Twister” (1996), HBO tonight 8: Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton chase tornadoes in this special-effects-filled thriller.

“The Bullet to Beijing” (1995), TMC tonight at 9: In a fast-paced spy caper (move over, James Bond), Michael Caine reprises his role as British spy Harry Palmer (from 1965’s “The Ipcress File”). He’s as lovable as ever and still uses his quick wit and razorsharp mind to solve cases.

Here Palmer must track down a deadly biological weapon.

“David” (1997), TNT Sunday and Wednesday at 5, 7 and 9: Like all the Bible tales before it (“Joseph,” “Moses” and “Samson and Delilah”), this two-part yarn of David’s reign is full of bloody battles, deceitful relatives, adultery and murder. It isn’t a good Bible story if no one ever sins against God.

Leonard Nimoy and Jonathan Pryce steal the show.

Movie Marquee

“Pocahontas” (1995), DISN Sunday at 7: Disney’s beloved animated tale comes to cable. You’ve heard all the songs before and the love story is predictable. It’s still hard to resist.

“Blown Away” (1994), NBC Sunday at 9: As you can guess from the title, there’s a lot of pyrotechnics. The bomb effects offer far better action than the find-the-mad-bomber story.

Co-stars Jeff Bridges, Lloyd Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones will not blow you away.