Other Media Review

Prides and Prejudices: A Movie Review Collection by Carrie S.

Title: Pride and Prejudice
Genre: Contemporary/Other, Regency, Not a Book

It's the end of summer, and time for therapeutic movie watching.  Either the kids are still out of school and driving you bonkers, or they are back in school and you are madly filling out backpacks full of forms, or you are in your cubicle lamenting the days when you actually had a real summer vacation, or, you are on a yacht with a billionaire playboy pirate sheik, in which case, we all hate you.

Anyway, I've been on a Pride and Prejudice ( A | BN | K | S | ARe ) binge lately and although we don't normally review movies here at Smart Bitches, SB Sarah has made a late summer exception.  (SB Sarah: This is easily the most expensive guest review I've ever run, as I ended up buying nearly all of Carrie's recommendations. Darn it.) 

Here are a few adaptations for you to try in case you need to escape to the English countryside for a while.  Of course there are many adaptations I haven't reviewed, for instance: the 1940 film with Greer Garson and Lawrence Olivier, the BBC mini-series from 1980, and Pride and Prejudice:  A Latter Day Comedy, a film from 2003. 

Bride and Prejudice Bride and Prejudice (2004): 

Brilliant and fun, this sets Pride and Prejudice in modern day India, with Bollywood numbers.  You'd think it would be terrible but it's a perfect fit.   Aishwarya Rai is a suitably feisty and funny Elizabeth (Lalita), Wickham is gorgeous and charming, the sister who is analogous to Mary (Maya) does a snake dance that is…interesting, and my beloved Naveen Andrews is irresistibly cheerful as Mr. Bingley (Balraj). 

The only problem is that Martin Henderson has no charisma to speak of as Mr. Darcy.  Also, when sparks fly, there's this whole falling in love montage – in fact if memory serves there are two, and during this there's a lot of hugging and hair-kissing that Jane Austen would not have approved of in the least.  Overall, although the movie looses some of it's grip towards the end, it is still an absolutely frothy yet insightful delight and not to be missed.

Here's the trailer if you'd like a visual taste: 

Link

Pride and Prejudice w/ Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFayden Pride and Prejudice (2005): 

Starring Kiera Knightly's huge eyes, and co-starring lovely English scenery, both human and geographical, this adaptation is one long swoon.  From the dance scene in which all the dancers disappear except Elizabeth and Darcy to the smooching at the end (Austen would be shocked!) this is a dizzyingly romantic production. 

The hand of Hollywood lays heavily upon it (would Mr. Darcy really ask Mr. Bennet for Elizabeth's hand with his cravat off and Lizzie in her night dress?  I should hope not!) but I have to admit that the sight of Matthew MacFadyen striding across the moors is not one to be soon forgotten.  Great performances by everyone. 

Also starring Judi Dench as Judi Dench (AKA Lady Catherine de Bourgh).

Link

 

Bridget Jones's Diary Bridget Jones's Diary (2001): 

This movie is an adaptation of a novel, which is an adaptation of a newspaper column, which was a very loose adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, setting it in modern day England. 

I'm a huge fan of the Bridget Jones novels and I was crushed that all my favorite parts were missing from the movie. 

As far as adapting Pride and Prejudice goes, Bridget is a great character, and Renee Zellinger is adorable in the role, but in no way does she resemble Elizabeth Bennet.  As evidence I will point out that Elizabeth would never get drunk and belt out “All By Myself” (although Jane might have, which I would pay good money to watch). 

On the other hand, Wickham, AKA Daniel Cleaver, AKA Hugh Grant, has never been more funny and charming and devilish and completely slimy, and when Colin Firth as Mark Darcy showed up to save Bridget's dinner party I seriously thought I was going to pass out.  Wow.

Link!

 

Lost in Austen Lost in Austen (2008): 

I love, love, love this BBC mini-series! 

Amanda lives in modern day London and is obsessed with Pride and Prejudice.  When she discovers Elizabeth Bennet in her bathroom, and Elizabeth shows her a connecting door that leads to Elizabeth's house, the two trade places and hi-jinks ensure. 

I refuse to tell you anything else except to say that I had no idea how attached I was to the Pride and Prejudice story until it went all to hell. 

The ending, alas, is full of huge holes but for the most part this series is a delight.  I believe some purists on the Internet were horrified, so don't watch this unless you're willing to bring a sense of humor and suspend your disbelief – it's well worth the effort.  LOVED IT!

 

Link

 

Pride and Prejudice, Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle (which I learned recently is pronounced EEE-LEEE). Pride and Prejudice (1995): 

This is the iconic BBC adaptation. 

Most of the script is verbatim from the book – it is by far the most faithful adaptation I've seen.  If you love the novel, this is a huge plus.  If, like me, you find the novel to be a bit dry and inaccessible (more on that later), then this adaptation is not wildly exciting – but it does bring the book to life. 

Jennifer Ehle does a nuanced performance as Lizzy – she really brings out Lizzie's frustration with her family and her circumstances.  Colin Firth is, of course, Colin Firth – no one scowls or smolders quite like him.

(Alas, there isn't a trailer on YouTube that isn't a fan-made version, but there are many clips of this miniseries on YouTube, including MANY of Colin Firth smoldering and scowling.)

I have a dark confession to make – the first three times I read Pride and Prejudice I was not thrilled.  It's only now, on my fourth reading, that I feel that I am starting to get it. 

Reading Austen, as refined and genteel as it is, is actually a lot like reading science fiction.  Austen describes a society that, to modern eyes, is an alien one, even though the personalities are like those we meet every day.  It is ruled by strange customs and strict social and economic hierarchies.  Everyone speaks in an alien language – not only because the language is slightly archaic, but also because characters deliberately speak in code.  I didn't get that until I sat through these adaptations – when I could see actors speaking and reacting to the dialogue, and see their body language, new layers of story opened up to me.  I'm grateful to the adaptations that have opened this book to me!

What is your favorite adaptation?

Comments are Closed

  1. MaddBookish says:

    Greer Garson and Lawrence Olivier will always be my favorite Lizzie and Darcy. It’s the first P&P movie I saw as a child, I think I was seven the first time I saw it, and it lead me to the book and inspired in me a life long love of Jane Austen.

  2. Jamarleo says:

    Lost in Austen managed to haunt my dreams since (on a weekend sans family) I managed to squeeze in a double header of the miniseries and the final episodes of the BBC Life on Mars—strangely similar endings made for a wierd comingling of happy and bleak.

    Carie S- You’ve got to review P&P and Zombies or at least Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.  Fantastic stuff that can encourage first time readers.  I re-read Pride and Prejudice while going through Pride and Prejudice and Zombies ( I kept them together with my daughter’s scrunchie for easy handling) and finally felt that I had attained full on Austen-love at long last.

  3. DreadPirateRachel says:

    I wanted so badly to love the Knightly version, but they just cut too much of the original story. Characters were conflated or eliminated entirely (what happened to the other Bingley sister?). Wickham’s backstory was severely underdeveloped to the point that my friend, who had not read the book or seen any previous adaptations, asked me why it was so terrible for Lydia to elope with Wickham. And the whole ending scene just pissed me off.

    On the plus side, it was total costume porn and the soundtrack was breathtaking.

    In the end, though, I will always adore the BBC version because it is so wonderfully acted and faithful to the source material. Plus, there’s the Darcy-swimming-in-the-lake scene…

    I love Jane Austen, and I have never found her unapproachable—possibly because I was a wee lass when I was first introduced to her. I’ve been reading and rereading Jane my whole life.

  4. Zee Lemke says:

    I have to comment on this post. My given names are Elizabeth and Jane. I have not seen Lost in Austen, though.

    Don’t watch B&P and the Mormon one back-to-back. It’ll make you wish B&P had ANYONE else for Darcy.

    Second the person who said the Knightley one did a great job with the wealth differences. One of the biggest problems with the Ehle version is that it’s too clean (and Ehle herself is too simpering and too gorgeous). I don’t like Knightley better, but for its Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Jane and Bingley being so totally unintimidating, the pig, and the Charlotte, I can’t quite hate it. Except for the “Mrs. Darcy” ending, which practically ruined the whole beautiful thing for me.

    Garson just has to be taken separately. And it’s not alone in giving Mary a happy ending. I actually like the ending of the Mormon one, although the movie as a whole is uneven.

  5. SB Sarah says:

    PEAK district. Gosh, how did I screw that up? PEAK district porn. Sorry about that. 0_o

  6. MikiS says:

    I loved the 1995 adaptation.  Hate the Knightly version (even if I did enjoy the different take on Darcy by McFadden).  Knightly was too modern and shrill.  She annoyed me from start to finish.

  7. Becky says:

    For me my favorite will always be the 1995 BBC version. My sister and I watched it every weekend for two years straight. Consequently we can repeat lines from the miniseries verbatim.

    We also became obessed with Bride and Prejudice. We went to see it multiple times and loved singing the songs in the car.

    I also love how every adaptation since the 1995 version has put in little tributes to that version.

  8. KarenH says:

    “You hear that George? That *thudthudthudthudthudthudthud*? That’s the sound of Jane Austen spinning in her grave like a cat in a tumble dryer.”

    On the strength of that line alone, I bought the DVD on Amazon yesterday 🙂

  9. Mills&Boons says:

    I loved the movie Bride and Prejudice (2004) because it was gift by my love on my birthday!!!!

  10. Jenny Dolton says:

    Ahhh! Nonononono! The Bennets, while not super-wealthy, were still *gentry*. They would have NEVER EVER had a pig running around like that. That was one of the major screw-ups of that version. Besides everything Keira Knightly did or said and pretending that the book had been written by one of the Bronte sisters.

    I am not emotionally invested in this topic. Not at all.

  11. Kelly says:

    Lost In Austen was made for and aired on ITV in the UK, it’s not a BBC-made miniseries. I don’t know if perhaps BBC America aired it overseas and that’s where there is confusion. Anyway, I absolutely hated the ending to the point I cannot think of the programme without flinching. Really didn’t like its Mr Darcy either.

    The Ehle/Firth miniseries is my favourite but I also like Joe Wright’s version. Especially the scene where Elizabeth is refusing Darcy’s first proposal (in the rain). There’s a moment where Darcy steps up to Elizabeth as if he’s going to kiss her and it gives me butterflies every single time.

    The best thing about Bridget Jones is Darcy (Firth) playing Darcy. I’m so pleased he was wiling to do it because it adds another brilliant layer.

  12. harthad says:

    I completely agree about the shamelessly beautiful soundtrack to the Joe Wright version; I listen to it frequently. Between the soundtrack and the glorious cinematography, I can almost overlook the film’s aforementioned numerous problems.

    The composer, Dario Marianelli, also did the similarly lovely score for the 2011 film version of Jane Eyre (Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester! le sigh!). Shall we compare Jane Eyre adaptations next? 😉

  13. SB Sarah says:

    I had no idea Dario Marianelli did the Jane Eyre score! I am so all over buying that right now. Yay! Thank you!

  14. Shawny Jean says:

    Love that you included Lost in Austen. I agree that it has some plot holes, but I actually loved how horribly out of place Amanda was from the very first minute. The rest of them, I love them all. I have both Keira Knightley and Jennifer Ehle, I watch them for different purposes. Keira’s for grumpy nights after long days at work when I need a quick romantic saturation before going to bed. Jennifer’s for sick days when all I can do is lie on the couch and mope and admire the drawing rooms and her hair and bonnets.

    PS – the most romantic literary adaptation in recent memory is still the BBC North and South with Richard Armitage. He smoulders in a way that puts even Colin Firth to shame.

  15. xaipe says:

    “Character I most want to read about in his own story: Colonel Fitzwilliam. With all the literary sequels, I’m sure someone has written a story about him. I should probably check into it. If anyone knows of a good one, please shout out.”

    Don’t let anyone tell you that story is Death Comes to Pemberley.

  16. Allie says:

    I can’t recall if I heard about Austenland by Shannon Hale on this site first, but even though we’re talking more about movies I love it so much that I had to pipe up and recommend it—it’s sort of like Lost in Austen with a bit less disbelief to suspend (I thought). There’s a sequel that just came out too that I have in my TBR pile. (And in looking up the author’s name I just learned that they’ve made it into a movie! OMG. And there’s a -male- character named “The Hot Servant.” I am so there.)

    P.S. I second the above comment about North and South and Richard Armitage. Love his accent so much. There are apparently some Georgette Heyer audiobooks (UK editions) that he narrates which I must find and purchase.

  17. pisceschick says:

    I just love watching this type of costume drama, in general.  There are so many wonderful gems in my Netflix queue, one for every mood!  I particularly love the recent (2009) “Wuthering Heights,” “North & South” that was mentioned previously, and another adaptation of Gaskell’s, “Wives and Daughters.” 

    I know it horrifies the Austen fans of a purist persuasion, but my favorite P&P adaptation is the 2005 version.  The cinematography, the music, the costumes, they’re all so lovely.  Most of all, Matthew Macfadyen.  He’s my ultimate Romantic Hero archetype.  When I read dialogue or picture a scene, it’s either him or Richard Armitage in my head. 

    The 1980 BBC was for me, unwatchable.  I did not finish the first episode, it was so awful. 

    I’ll second the recommendation of “The Jane Austen Book Club” as a fun addition to your Jane shelf.  All of the books are covered, and a *gasp* man is let into their female reading group so seeing the the books from the perspective of a guy was interesting.  They did themed meetings, decorated and served appropriate food and whatnot.  The background story of the way their lives were unfolding and seeing that intertwine with their discussions of Austen was just lovely.  How many times have I used “lovely” as a descriptor tonight?  lol

    “Bride & Prejudice” has been on my to-watch pile for too long.  I love Sayid, and you say there’s Happy Sayid?  Wow!  Must move it up on my list.

  18. pisceschick says:

    Decided to do a separate post for responses.

    @kkw said: I haven’t seen Lost in Austen…what if I can suspend my disbelief, keep my sense of humor intact, and am still very attached to Austen’s stories as written?

    I think, based on your post, that you might not get much enjoyment out of it.  The entire storyline gets messed up beyond all imagining (will try not to spoil too much), with people falling for the wrong partner, a health crisis, and a very sorely annoyed Mrs. Bennett who had the appearance much the time of the wicked stepmother from a fairy tale.  If you can go into it knowing that things fall apart, you may well enjoy the watching the process of putting things to rights.

    I’ve got a link to the nod toward the Colin Firth edition for you.  If you can make it through this without too many eyerolls, you might be able to enjoy the movie!  lol


    Just keep in mind it’s more of a light, fluff type of story.  I watch it when I need to giggle and not concentrate so much. 

    —————————————————————————————-

    @SB Sarah said: I also love that MacFayden is wonderful at portraying words-stuck-in-his-throat-shyness for Darcy in a way that was done so differently by Firth (I like both portrayals – or all three if you count Brigid Jones). Knightley is sort of superfluous to a lot of the things I love about watching that version. Also – it’s two hours long instead of six so I can watch it in less time.

    And I just want to say: YES.  This.

    —————————————————————————————-

    @harthad said: Shall we compare Jane Eyre adaptations next?

    I would love this!  I enjoy watching costume dramas and adaptations, so I’d absolutely love more talk about them! 

  19. Amsev1960 says:

    “you are in your cubicle lamenting the days when you actually had a real summer vacation,” yes and f#cking Amen!

  20. Evamaria N says:

    Oh my, P&P – one of my all-time favorite books! I had some problems understanding some of Austen at first (not a native speaker), but for some reason P&P got to me right away. Lizzie Bennet FTW! 🙂

    I’ve watched the 1995 version approx. 50 times by now and I did not like the Keira Knightley movie (although I own it because I did like MacFadden’s shyness – also, I can’t not own a P&P adaptation). I also enjoyed the Greer/Olivier version, although more in an “so bad it’s good” kind of way. Someone once told me they recycled the costumes from Gone with the Wind for it, and whether that’s true or not, the thought makes me giggle.

  21. kkw says:

    @pisceschick sold! and thank you.

    @Jenny Dolton I’m so with you on the Brontefication, but I’m confused by your anti-pig stance.  Please let me keep my pig.  At least break it to me gently why his time has come.

    Here’s my rationale: The Bennets are minor, countrified gentry.  And they’re poor.  They don’t make it into town, their servants are almost all female, their clothes are laughable, they’ve no dowries.  They’re not going to have to work for a living, sure, but before the Victorian era, it wasn’t unusual for the woman of the house to do a lot of what came to be housekeeper’s duties: putting up jam, making pudding, keeping inventory of the linens, managing the lower servants directly.  Mrs. Bennet is pretty ineffectual, sure, but that makes it all the more likely Jane and Elizabeth are more directly involved in the housekeeping.  Ladies who couldn’t pick up a fan or do their own hair to prove that they were in fact ladies came about because people like the Bingleys were attaining gentry status and needed desperately to establish themselves as belonging.  But class mobility was so new, anyone secure in their position (and Mr. Bennet inherited his estate, even if he’s broke, whereas Mr. Bingley’s still hasn’t bought in) isn’t going to be afraid to get their hands dirty.  Also, particularly that early in the 1800s (remember, that big enclosure act was brand new and not popular, all the agrarian reforms are yet to come), their home garden undoubtedly contained livestock.  Lizzy who walks for miles unaccompanied through the countryside without needing a carriage to give her consequence, I just don’t see her objecting to that pig.

    Cause clearly I’m not emotionally involved either.  I’m just attached to a freaking pig in a movie version I don’t even like.

    @Andrea23 the 1980 miniseries did have a great Elizabeth, but it still just…drags.  Still, I agree, she’s the best Elizabeth I’ve seen.  The Jane is better too, isn’t she?  Of course, the Jane in the 1995 series is poor competition.

  22. Todd says:

    One of the things I loved about “Bride and Prejudice” (aside from the lovely people, costumes, Indian scenes, and singing and dancing) was that it was lighter. The girls didn’t HAVE to get married – they could support themselves if necessary, so there wasn’t the pressure of being homeless if they didn’t. But I truly love the movie. I shared it with my mother, who started giggling every time they started singing and dancing.

  23. Kim Foster says:

    Of the traditional adaptations, my fave is the BBC/Colin Firth version. (for all the reasons above!!)

    But of the unconventional versions, I have a special place in my heart for Bridget Jones. Loved Helen Fielding’s books. Love Renee. Love Hugh Grant. And, of course, Colin Firth!

    Jane Austen is the best—and her stories are so timeless and fabulous—and it’s a wonderful thing that people keep coming up with creative ways to re-imagine her.

  24. Kari S. says:

    For Carney, who wanted to know about Colonel Fitzwilliam in the sequels, I dragged out a few titles from my collection of P&P sequels to give some advice.

    A very good recent title is The Three Colonels: Jane Austen’s Fighting Men by Jack Caldwell. It also features Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility, as well as another Colonel invented by the author who marries Caroline Bingley. It takes place around the Battle of Waterloo. The author writes well and he gives Wickham a shot at heroism.

    In the anthology The Road To Pemberley, edited by Marsha Altman, you will find a fun story “An ink-Stained Year. It’s a series of letters written by Colonel Fitzwilliam and Caroline Bingley to other people. I enjoyed it!

     

  25. Sk says:

    Because a pig is valuable and wouldn’t be allowed to wander round free.

  26. ShellBell says:

    I have 3 adaptations on DVD, and while there are aspects to each version that I enjoy, my favourite is the 1980 version.

  27. CarrieS says:

    OK, I’m no expert on pigs, but I believe it used to be customary to let pigs out to pasture for much of the year.  In some cases this would be fenced pasture but I do believe in others the pigs just wandered around.  Granted, at least some of my knowledge comes from Little House in the Big Woods, in which case they turned the pig loose in the woods to fatten up, despite the possibility of losing it to bears etc.  But I do think it’s possible the Bennets would have had a pig in the yard.

  28. DawnG says:

    I love Kandukondain Kandukondain – be careful about which DVD version you get, though. The one with “I Have Found It” on the cover has MUCH better subtitles. Haven’t seen Aisha – Emma is my least favorite Austen. I personally would LOVE to see an Indian movie version of Persuasion – anyone heard of one?

  29. Heather says:

    Like you, Sarah, I had a hard time getting into “Pride and Prejudice”—at the time, I had to read it for a class in college. Then we watched the BBC miniseries in class. Cue immediate longing for a man to look at me the way Darcy looked at Elizabeth. After seeing that, the characters became real to me and I enjoyed the book immensely—so much so that I toted a Barnes and Noble paperback of it with me to Afghanistan, and I read it on my cot in the middle of BFAfghanistan. It was like therapy and the best escape EVER. I also keep another copy in the car (which paid off today, as I was stuck in line at the bank for the better part of an hour and my Kindle was left at home).

    Like other folks here, I was outraged at-slash-loathed the Kiera Knightly film. I did, however, enjoy “Bride and Prejudice”, as I am a big fan of Aishwarya Rai.

  30. cate says:

    Martin Henderson had all the charisma of a cabbage in Bride and Predjudice …& basically spoilt the film. Lost in Austen is an utter joy, &  Gemma Arterton’s short turn as Lizzie out Lizzied Knightly’s squeakfest.
      But you cannot beat Andrew Davis’s unparalled adaption of P&P from 1995 … utter brilliance on every level. Allison Steadman’s Mrs Bennett will never be bettered.
    As for the KK film – the less said,the better – how on earth could the director leave out the absolutely pivotal elopement of Kitty & Wickham ( Shame on you Joe Wright !) ?
      The plot doesn’t make sense without it –

  31. CarrieS says:

    @Cate:  The K&K version kept Lydia and Wickhams elopement but they didn’t do a great job with it.  I hadn’t realized that the director had shifted the movie forward in time a little to differentiate it from the colin Firth version.  Hust read the Wikipedia page and am now in a total potato rage.

  32. Niewin says:

    I first read P&P when I was 10, got the general plot but totally missed the finer points of Austen’s writing. Tried again at 18, couldn’t quite get into it. Then tried a couple of years later and was hooked. Read all the other Austen novels in a week.

    <3 Mr Darcy and <3 Colin Firth as Mr Darcy!

    Thanks for this post. I’ve only seen the Olivier, 1995 BBC & 2005 versions. Looking forward to checking out the rest.

    @Todd (comment #62): I couldn’t help but laugh when I read your comment re B&P, that they didn’t HAVE to get married. They’re Indian girls and until they have a ring on their finger, there’s ALWAYS an incredible amount of pressure…especially when every single aunty [i.e. any female acquaintance of one’s parents’ generation] tries to set you up with her sister’s husband’s uncle’s brother-in-law’s grandson who is [imagine this being said in an Indian accent] “a very nice boy, tall, with a wheatish complexion, is a doctor/lawyer/engineer in London/Dubai/Australia/US and is from a well-to-do family!” 😀

  33. I did like the design of the Kiera Knightly version in that you actually got a sense that the Bennett sisters were country girls. That’s something I’ve never seen emphasised before and I thought it was interesting. I also liked the fact that the sisters seemed young – as in close to the actual age of the characters – and a little bit provincial.

    Also the stomach-churning smoochery at the end was only included in the US release. The ‘original’ release’s ending was quite restrained. I’m sure JA would not have disapproved…

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