This version is now a fave of my Jane Austen movie collection!

Kate Beckinsale is a great Emma, as is Prunella Scales as Miss Bates, in this adaptation for
the British ITV network. Andrew Davies had successfully dramatized the 1995 Pride and Prejudice for the BBC who had unfortunately already selected a screenwriter for their version of Emma prior to his proposal. This resulted in Davies' ITV production of 1996 receiving wide acclaim as being superior to the BBC version.
I would be one more voice in agreement.