Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

(1995)

A&E and the BBC

Rated PG for mature theme
My Rating: 5 Stars

Colin Firth
Jennifer Ehle
Allison Steadman
Benjamin Whitrow
Susannah Harker
Crispin Bonham-Carter
Anna Chancellor
Julia Sawalha
David Bamber
David Bark-Jones

Probably one of the best films I've ever seen. It is excellence: story, acting, character, constume, music/score, sets... the list could go on. If you are interested in Jane Austen and her work, be sure to take the time and effort to watch this film.

Summary:
The story is placed in an era in which a girl's duty is to marry a rich husband. Most of the girls of her acquaintance were very pleased to fulfill their calling, but Lizzie Bennet was not.

“I am determined that nothing but the deepest love will induce me into matrimony. So, I shall end an old maid and teach your ten children to embroider cushions and play their instruments very ill!”

Elizabeth Bennet is the second daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and sister to four sisters: Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. Their family is comfortably situated but by no means wealthy, so the very thought of the likelihood of finding husbands for her daughters makes Mrs. Bennet's nerves go to pieces. This is why, when she hears that Netherfield Park  “has been let at last!” she is in a dither of highest excitement. And when the new owner of Netherfield Park is pronounced rich and single, Mrs. Bennet is quite beside herself. She is certain that one of her daughters will snag handsome Mr. Bingley.

In no time at all, everyone is giving balls and parties and to no one's astonishment, except for Jane herself, Mr. Bingley is bestowing his attention upon her. But Mr. Bingley has a friend, a certain Mr. Darcy. He is even more wealthy than Mr. Bingley and a great deal more pride. His pride and arrogance, in fact, are what draws Miss Elizabeth's attention to him. But it is admirable attention. She finds his attitudes disgusting and she tells him so upon any opportunity that presents itself.

Little does she know that her righteous indignation is attracting the arrogant Mr. Darcy in spite of himself.

Mr. Bennet: kindly, wise, patient.
Mrs. Bennet: foolish, busybody, kind hearted, featherhead.
Jane Bennet: of all fictional literary characters, Jane Bennet is the embodiment of goodness.
Lizzie Bennet: intelligent, cynical, loving, faithful, loyal.
Mary Bennet: geeky, selfish, interested only books, and Mr. Collins. Lol.
Kitty Bennet: weak, follower, giddy.
Lydia Bennet: selfish, impulsive, flirtatious.
Mr. Bingley: Kind, good, gentle, follower.
Miss Bingley: proud, selfish, intelligent.
Mr. Darcy: proud, strict, morally upright, loyal, kind-hearted.
Mr. Hurst: drunkard.
Mrs. Hurst: proud, selfish, intelligent, follower.
Charlotte Lucas: kind, timid, determined.
Mr. Collins: pompous, fool.
Mr. Wickham: cunning, sly, smart but decidedly counted too much on Mr. Darcy's continued pride.

Notes of Interest:
1: The film is 5 hours long.
2: They used museums and/or historical landmarks for most of the dwellings.

My Favorite Things:
1: the scenery of England/Wales. It is so beautiful.
2: Jennifer Ehle. She is one of the best actors I've seen.
3: Susannah Harker. Again, excellence.
4: The folks that put this film together managed to catch the very spirit of Jane Austen and the era she lived in. I really appreciate how far they went for accomplish excellence.

Things You Should Know:
1: If you are concerned about low necklines, there are plenty in this film.
2: If you don't like romance, you shouldn't even read the review. Lol!

Pride & Prejudice -- 2006

Pride & Prejudice
(2006)

Rated G
My Rating 3 Stars

Keira Knightley
Matthew McFadyen
Brenda Blethyn
Donald Southerland
Tom Hollander
Rosamund Pike
Jena Malone
Judi Dench

There were few things I actually liked about this film:

1: Keira Knightley.
2: Some of the photography and scenery was absolutely gorgeous.

What I didn't like is more numerous:

1: The film feels modernized. The acting, the costumes, the lines, the houses, the story... I didn't appreciate not getting the feel of the era the film was supposed to be set in.
2: The actors. Some were fine for the characters they played but even Keira, as good as she is, didn't make a good Lizzie. It could have been the script or director, since Keira is a phenomenal actress.
3: The way the movie was filmed felt very choppy to me. It did not run it's course smoothly.
4: The balls/parties were not organized or have the touch of the gentry from the 16th century.
5: Mr. Darcy was just arrogant and ignorant. He didn't have his pride or family bearing.
6: Many of the details that make A&E's production of P&P so marvelous were simply gone. If I hadn't watched the latter before I watched this version, I would have not understood the story and implications.
7: Some of the instances between Lizzie and Darcy in this film would not have been considered any more appropriate than Lydia's running away with Mr. Wickham.
8: Mr. Collins' (accidental) sexual reference. It didn't help the film at all, only took away from the little it had to stand in front of.

There is much debate on which P&P film is the best. I haven't watched the b&w version (from the 40's) but from the clips I've seen, the costumes are not accurate. So I must say, I like A&E's version best and that is the one I will always watch before the others. :-)

If you would like a summary of the basic story of Pride and Prejudice, take a look at my other review... or simply google it. :-) Lots of great sites out there. Also, there are lots of clips on You Tube that will give you a glimpse into all the films.