Last year was definitely the battle of the Brontės, with big screen versions of Emily's Wuthering Heights and Charlotte's Jane Eyre going head to head. It wasn't just a blood line the two films shared either as Jane Eyre star Michael Fassbender was originally cast in Wuthering Heights, but a change in director also saw a change in cast.

Luckily for Fassbender, this turnaround saw him appear in the far superior film out of the two.

Some folk just don't like children, particularly other people's. Mrs Reed (Sally Hawkins) is one such person. She has taken a distinct disliking to a young child by the name of Jane Eyre (Amelia Clarkson). When the time arrives for her schooling, Mrs Reed decides to send her away to a girl's school so she has nothing more to do with the girl.

Young Jane certainly doesn't have the time of her life at the school, but at least manages to survive it, unlike others.

Jane (Mia Wasikowska) leaves on the cusp of womanhood, as she heads off into the world to start her new life.

She gets taken in as a governess to a young child at Thornfield Hall, run by the amiable house keeper Mrs Fairfax (Judi Dench). The master of the house is the elusive Mr Rochester (Fassbender), who Jane is yet to even see yet.

When he finally returns home, the pair strike up a curious relationship. But little does Jane know that the house hides a secret that is big enough to destroy all of their lives.

As I thought, it's from my mother; she warns me never to do another X-Men film again.

It's very telling that Wuthering Heights was produced by Channel Four and Jane Eyre was produced by the BBC. The first relentlessly attempts to be edgy and cool, whereas the second is dignified and majestic. Let's face it, no-one does costume dramas better than the Beeb.

It seems like an odd choice for the American director Cary Fukunaga's second feature. His first was the acclaimed Sin Nombre, which was filmed in Mexico with a Spanish-speaking cast. He couldn't have chosen a more polar opposite project to do next. And yet he appears to capture the essence of this classic perfectly.

He certainly gets impressive performances from his two leads; although it's hardly a stretch to see Fassbender as Rochester, having Wasikowska as Jane may have needed a little more convincing. But as the young Australian has already proved in her fledging career, with roles as Alice in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, and in Gus Van Sant's Restless, she's more than just a pretty face.

And with the likes of Judi Dench and Jamie Bell helping out with supporting roles, the rest of the cast simply give the piece even more impressive acting weight.

Fukunaga also reveals that he has a sharp eye for detail; as you would expect from a BBC production, the period features make for a truly sumptuous setting. The director brings these elements of original costumes, sublime sets and striking scenery to create a very easy on the eye version of an often adapted classic.

Unlike the new version of Wuthering Heights, Fukunaga doesn't have to try too hard; instead he takes a far more subtle approach in comparison, without ever having to rely on jarring techniques or gimmicks. He allows the story to do all the work for him, whilst he ably supports it with high production values. You couldn't really ask more than that really, from any director.

If you happen to be in a position where this book is on your academic reading list, then it's this filmic version that should be recommended for any studying shortcuts.