Expert: Juli D. - 1/14/2011

Question
In regards to the below mentioned paragraph, the movie was similar to "Pride and Prejudice" from 1985.

I was loaned a movie to watch from a dear friend who passed away in 1998. I returned the movie to her widowed husband. I would really like to watch it again. It was VHS and was two tapes in a box. I don't know what year it was released, but in 1998 when I watched it, it was already an old movie at that time.
I believe the cover was of a lady, who appeared to be very elegant. However, it was so long ago, I'm not quite sure of the cover.
There was a teen boy and girl in the movie, who appeared to be in love, however I never did figure out if they were brother and sister. The movie setting was probably from the 1950's or earlier. The house and setting was like a prairie. The house wasn't like "The Little House on the Prairie", though. I believe it was a large house, and they were rather wealthy. There was a lot of green grassy fields, where the boy and girl would run throughout, and they were rather playful and innocent. The lady had a position of authority, if I remember correctly. The clothing was of the long ruffled dresses and hats. It may have been a European setting. I don't seem to be able to remember the plot. I do recall that it was almost a boring movie. It was in color. I am thinking that there was someone who was ill in the movie, but I may be way off. The person/friend who gave me the movie to watch, was suffering from cancer herself and I may be just clouding the two. If you have any questions, please do ask. I wish I could help more. I would so desperately like to watch the movie again with more appreciation. If you know the title, I will truly be amazed! I know I don't have much information to offer though. Thank you!

Answer
Good day, Julia!
         The story as you've described sounds kind of like "Mansfield Park". It's based on the book by Jane Austen, was produced in 1983 (the version I believe you would be referring to). It is set earlier than you described but is about a wealthy and influential family which lives on a large country estate. The family takes in their "poor relation", Fannie Price, who eventually falls in love with the family's youngest son, Edmund. This film is available on DVD through Amazon or Netflix. I really hope that this is the film you're looking for. If it turns out that it's not right, let me know and I will see what else I can find out for you.

Hope that this is helpful!

                                Cheers!
                                                          ~J.