Elizabeth Bennet’s first appearance on the screen! The story is condensed (no visit to Pemberley!) and changed - Mr. Darcy is less proud, Lady Catherine less cruel. The costuming was Hollywood’s version of clothing in the mid-1800s (my guess is 1840s or 50s). Despite its faults, I enjoy this vintage film. This was actually my first introduction to Pride and Prejudice! Greer Garson as Elizabeth and Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy.
1980 mini-series (BBC)
The BBC period films from the 70s and 80s are usually very close to the story, but slow-moving and rather like a play. This one held my attention better than the others, though, and I like it. I especially liked Jane. Elizabeth Garvie plays Lizzy, and David Rintioul the rather expressionless Mr. Darcy.
1995 mini-series (A&E/BBC)
1995 mini-series (A&E/BBC)
This version is the favorite, I believe, of most true Jane Austen fans. It follows the story faithfully; many of the quotes are straight out of the book! It captures the spirit of Jane Austen’s novel quite well. I thought the movie was 2 ½ hours long, but I guess that was just for one disc. Later, people told me it was 5 hours long, and I didn’t believe them, it had been so interesting the whole time (and I didn’t watch it all at once).The soundtrack is delightful. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth made an excellent Lizzy & Darcy, and the rest of the cast did a wonderful job as well.
If you have not seen this version, you are really missing out!!!
2005 (Working Title Films)
The newest, preferred by those who enjoy movies with a more modern feel. I am not quite a historical fashion expert, but I’d say they made the time era in the late 1700s or very early 1800s…not Regency. The waists are a bit lower, some of the men have those triangle colonial hats, and Lady Catherine looks very 1700s. Personally, I found the way the characters were portrayed to be rather colorless after seeing the 1995 version. The story is more altered than in the BBC versions. Starring Kiera Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen.
Some people include Lost in Austen when they are comparing Pride and Prejudice movies, but I think a movie that twists and messes up a wonderful story is worse than irrelevant. And further, I do not approve of adding things that Jane Austen would not approve of and are un-authentic to the time period. I have not seen it myself, as I watch nothing rated higher than PG. I have heard enough of it to dislike it intensely.
In case you couldn’t tell from reading the above, my favorite movie of Pride and Prejudice is definitely the one from 1995. Here is the only tolerable trailer-like thing I could find - a promo from when it was on Masterpiece Theatre. I wanted to make one myself, but I had no way to.
I would love to know which is your favorite!
If you have not seen this version, you are really missing out!!!
2005 (Working Title Films)
Some people include Lost in Austen when they are comparing Pride and Prejudice movies, but I think a movie that twists and messes up a wonderful story is worse than irrelevant. And further, I do not approve of adding things that Jane Austen would not approve of and are un-authentic to the time period. I have not seen it myself, as I watch nothing rated higher than PG. I have heard enough of it to dislike it intensely.
In case you couldn’t tell from reading the above, my favorite movie of Pride and Prejudice is definitely the one from 1995. Here is the only tolerable trailer-like thing I could find - a promo from when it was on Masterpiece Theatre. I wanted to make one myself, but I had no way to.
I would love to know which is your favorite!
