There have been MANY movie/TV versions of Jane Eyre over the years– i have now seen 5– 3 TV mini series and 2 movies. Of course the movies cannot pack in as much in as a mini series but the 2011 version did a pretty good job. The costumes and scenery were top notch, the acting was very good and Michael Fassbender is one of the best looking Mr. Rochesters so far!
As the story goes, Jane is an orphan who is living with her cruel aunt. she ends up being sent away to a boarding school where the cruelty continues. Once Jane is done school she sets off on her own becoming the governess and teacher of Adele– the ward of one Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester– one of literature’s most intriguing leading men.
Altho Fassbender cuts a fine Rochester figure i have to say that when i read the book i pictured Ciaran Hinds the whole time– he seems to match the book description best– from chapter 17:
“Most true is it that ‘beauty is in the eye of the gazer.’ My master’s colorless, olive face, square, massive brow, broad and jetty eyebrows, deep eyes, strong features, firm, grim mouth, all energy, decision and will, were not beautiful according to rule; but they were more than beautiful to me: they were full of an interest, an influence that quite mastered me, that took my feelings from my own power and fettered them in his.”
Who is your favourite Mr. Rochester?
1971 – George C. Scott 
1983 – Timothy Dalton 
1996 – William Hurt 
1997 – Ciaran Hinds 
2006 – Toby Stephens 
(i have not seen this version but the photos look quite good!!!)
2011 – Michael Fassbender – 
31 Comments
Going strictly on looks here, because I’ve only seen the ’97 version, I pick Toby.
That was my choice too Steph!
Toby Stephens, followed by Michael Fassbender.
Absolutely agree .. so difficult to choose .. but either of these beautiful gentlemen fill the role of Rochester perfectly for me
Jen999
Ciaran Hinds, para mí, el mejor.
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Toby Stephens, his features are most accurate to the book (after him I’d say fassbender). The other actors are just ugly. Toby stephens is handsome, just he has strong features that were not considered attractive at the time. He played the part wonderfully and he is just like I imagined as I read the book.
Timothy Dalton – no question about it. He is the one and only Rochester for me!
Timothy Dalton for me
Toby Stephens. You MUST watch.
I really should look into it!! :)
Dalton of course. Toby looks the part, but his portrayal was clingy instead of selfish and a little too romantic.
Timothy Dalton, Timothy Dalton, Timothy Dalton…sans doute.
I can’t decide whether it is Toby Stephens or Timothy Dalton. I love them both as Rochester.
Timothy Dalton is my favorite followed by Cirian with Toby bringing up the rear.
absolutely Toby Stephens.
Without a doubt Timothy Dalton is the best Rochester ever.
Timothy Dalton embodies Rochester completely. He is what I picture when reading the novel. Any time I see another version on film, his portrayal is the measuring stick and he wins every time!
How about the late and great Orson Wells and my favorite as Edward Roschester.
Toby Stephens is Rochester in every way, the best ever followed by Michael Fassbender!
I haven’t watched the Ciaran Hinds version but based on the book’s description, he and Toby Stephen’s look the part. But I still go for Toby and his alluring voice and mannerism. (oohh I’m going to watch it all over again during this quarantine!!)
I have just watched the 2006 version (never seen any of the others), and I have to say, I cannot get over how utterly gorgeous Toby’s Rochester is. I mean, he is HOT! I have watched the mini series about five times this week now, and could do again without getting bored. But, as much as I love Toby’s portrayal of Rochester, I did not imagine him to be as good looking when I read the book.
I agree, how gorgeous is Toby playing Mr Rochester! It makes me wish I was Jayne!!
Acting wise Timothy Dalton is my favorite. Now looks wise Michael Fassbender was the dreamiest Rochester
I feel like Timothy Dalton was the perfect Mr. Rochester. Mysterious, sarcastic, moody. And his looks were a good reflection on how Rochester was described in the book.
William Hurt would be my close 2nd. Though his looks went a little off from the book, I feel like he really honed in on the broody nature of Rochester. He perfectly executed a man suffering through emotional turmoil, while still never giving away his secrets.
If we were going strictly on looks alone I think I would say Michael Fassbender. He, in my opinion, is the most handsome Rochester.
C Hinds is MY ROCHESTER….
A tie between Ciaran Hinds and Toby Stephens…..”sigh”
Please. Toby Stephens. Unbelievable when he is teasing Jane and gets that “mischievous” look on this face? and that scene when Blanche comes traipsing in to the study, and he looks her directly in her face and says “What do you REALLY want, Blanche” ….he is too good. Incredibly seductive without being classically handsome. As it should be. Timothy Dalton is too classically good looking to be Rochester.
Timothy Dalton, the one and only for me too.
Toby Stephens is the one for me, with Fassbender a good second
Michael Jayston. It is a shame this version (1973) has been blocked on yt and no one was able to watch. He is a brilliant Mr. Rochester, better than all the other gentlemen.