Customer Reviews
I Love This Movie! 
2008-07-23
I have this 10th Anniversary Limited Collector's Edition and watch it at least once per month. This version of the story, the screen play, the dialogue, the costumes, and the actors are far superior to the American version which stars that stick figure actress Kira Knightley. Yuck.
An amazing adaption of a wonderful story.
Excellent! Job well done! 2008-07-21
This is my favorite movie version of Pride and Prejudice and the bes that I have seen. The actors are convincing and the story line includes enough of the original story that you understand what's going on even if you hadn't read the books. An excellent job was done when this was made!
Excellent - much better than the Keira Knightley movie 2008-07-16
If you want to watch Pride and Prejudice, then this is by far the best version. Jane Austen wrote a great novel, with fantastic prose and this production does it justice.
It was a BBC series, and because it ran for a full hour (no commercials on the BBC!) for six weeks, you'll need to put aside 6 hours or split it up to watch it, but is really worth your time. It is very close to the original book. Albeit Mr D'Arcy did not swim across the pond in the book, but after seeing Colin Firth come out of the water, you'll consider this a worthwhile deviation of the original....swoon!!
The acting is excellent, and everything about it from the costumes to the locations are fantastic. It is sumptuous. I'd agree that when compared side by side, the VHS version bathes it in a lovely glow as the color is much warmer.
I prefer Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as D'Arcy and Lizzy; the chemistry is excellent and perfect for the Regency era. The looks they share across the piano are so charged. Keira Knightley was too modern in her portrayal and the way her mouth quirks all over the place during intense moments drives me crazy. I found the scene in the rain where D'Arcy proposes to Knightley with all the dark eye make-up totally ridiculous ad they tried to make it more modern which didn't work. The BBC version follows the book almost verbatim and it is so satisfying to watch all that passion lying just under the surface.
I'd absolutely recommend this version. If it is too expensive here, look on ebay, but personally I feel it is worth every penny.
Don't forget to re-read the book though.
1996 vs 2006 2008-07-03
2006: Given the time constraints of a movie, this version does not develop the characters very well which is the cornerstone of Janes' writing, the spoken word does not follow the book, the characters are not as mannerly as they are written in the book, major parts of the book are missing (ie., the Bingley sisters, many of the piano performances by Elizabeth are missing, some of the balls are not in this version), the English dialect is not constantly spoken. I given this version 3 stars.
1996: Given the luxious length, this version does develop the characters very well, is true to Janes' book, is stellar in the use of manners of the day, major parts of the book are not missing including the best part of the whole series which is Janes' performance at Penberly on the piano - she and Mr. Darcy actually make love just looking at one another - yummy performance, and the English dialect is spoken throughout. The Bingley sisters are present and a major part of the movie as well as Elizabeths' mother which is so excellently played!! I would say Jane herself would be so proud of this version that I would given it 10 srars if I could but for now we'll give it 5 stars
Love the movie with slight exceptions 
2008-07-03
First of all, I thought this was a great movie, and was extremely faithful to the book - I even followed along with the book ocassionally to see just how close they were and there were very few times when they did not match up word for word. The movie took a couple of liberties here and there (such as the scenes with Lydia and wickham), but mostly just to add to the movie - it did nothing to take away from it. Until watching this, the only version I had seen was the recent one with Keira Knightley. While I thought that one was decent enough, I felt they changed too much of it. That being said however, I much preferred Keira Knightley's performance of Elizabeth Bennet - it just felt more passionate to me, Jennifer Ehle was too subdued in my opinion - she just didn't have that same spark as the original character in the book and didn't draw me in as much. I realize it's all a matter of character interpretation and personal taste as to which actress you'd prefer - that's just my opinion. Also, while I love Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, and I think he was a great casting choice, there were certain parts in the end that he could have been softer, and less stern - again though, that's just my interpretaion of the character. Overall, this A&E version is excellent, I thought they did a great job casting the male roles and thought they had a much better casting for Lydia Bennet than in the new movie version. This version is certainly less "flashy" I guess you'd say, than the movie, but I much prefer this version for its faithfulness to the story. I didn't have any problems wiith color or sound either.
Pride and Predjudice 2008-06-25
The timeless themes of love and marriage in Jane Austen's superb romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice have captured readers for generations - the novel has sold more than 20 million copies and has never been out of print. Now A&E and the BBC have brought this beloved classic to life in a compelling production directed by Upstairs Downstairs' Simon Langton. This stunning production captures the celebrated beauty of the English countryside and its glorious stately manors. It features lavish costumes and an exquisite soundtrack from noted composer Carl Davis.Pride and Prejudice is the story of the lively and rebellious Elizabeth Bennet one of five unmarried daughters living in the countryside of 19th Century England. IN a world where obtaining an advantageous marriage is a woman's sole occupation Elizabeth's independent manner threatens her family's future. Will her romantic sparring with the mysterious and arrogant Darcy end in misfortune - or will love's true nature prevail?System Requirements:Starring: Jennifer Ehle Colin Firth David Bamber Crispin Bonham-Carter Anthony Calf Anna Chancellor Susannah Harker Julia Sawalha Alison Steadman Benjamin Whitrow. Directed By: Simon Langton. Running Time: 310 Minutes Color. This Film is presented in "Widescreen" format. Copyright 2001 A&E Television Networks. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 733961702545 Manufacturer No: AAE-70254
COLIN FIRTH...what more need I say? 2008-06-24
I love the book by Jane Austen, which I recommend reading as well, and who better to tell this wonderful story than the sexiest British man alive: Colin Firth. Everyone in this version of the movie plays their parts perfectly (especially when compared to the book). It is the first time that seeing the movie after reading a book did not ruin the book for me but rather cemented it in my mind and flowed with my own imagination of the events. WONDERFUL!!!!
additive 2008-06-16
There is no other production of this story so authentic and enchanting as this one with these stars. I watch this movie several times a year. It transports me to a time and place I love and the way Colin and Jennifer interact with each other is so believable that you honestly feel the tranformation of their affections. His facial expressions of frustration, pain, pleasure and adoration of being in her company need no dialogue and her responses are equally passionate and honest. Every one of the supporting actors are perfectly cast.
Old English mate-shopping among the rich and famous 2008-06-15
What can I say that has not already been said better by others. This rendition is faithful to the book and holds one's interest throughout. I enjoyed Ms. Knightly's version when I saw it but this one is superior.
I've noticed a tendency lately to superimpose modern mores on these old stories--for instance kissing in public, where a couple appears to be fighting for sole possession of the same wad of gum. This is probably done to try to improve interest--and therefore marketability--to a young adult audience. But it would have been unheard of to display that much passion in public in that society and during that period.
Umm, absolutely love this 2008-06-14
I think I have watched this 5 times in 3 months (30 hours of movie watching!) Love Jane Austen and I think this movie does a superb job of telling P&P. I read the novel in between one of my viewings and only a few things were much different, but nothing that made me want to slap the screen writers for omitting great sections or adding silly stuff. I do also have the Kiera Knightly version which I love too. (Think I have watched it 3 times during the same 3 months) Both have Pros and Cons.
Colin Firth Version
Pros:
1)Very faithful to the book with few liberties, if you love Austen and like movies to follow books this is a great one for that.
2)Very detailed, 6 hours to tell the story for all it's worth is just about right - but don't fool yourself into thinking you will just watch a section at a time, you'll watch it straight through, trust me!
3)Love the detail of character especially in Darcy (Colin Firth). He acts this part very well.
4)Extraordinary actors for some of the secondary parts - I think the minor character actors in this version are very superior to the Knightly version secondary actors. The subplots that affect the main plot actually make you feel like they are necessary whereas the other version goes over their parts so slightly that you almost feel like they are unnecessary.
Cons:
1)Length, not something you can just throw in to your movie watching schedule, you will watch it straight through and lose 6 hours of your day, but an enjoyable 6 hours.
2)As my grandma (who is blind) said after starting it, all they do is talk and dance (now why that mattered to her since she can't see things anyway is beyond me). The other version does give it more of an "action" movie like feel, but that is not an Austen story - the witty dialog is the great feature of her novels.
3)I don't know why it bothers me, but the actress who plays Jane Bennett in this one pales in comparison to the Knightly version's in both looks and acting I think. She is supposed to be the handsomest girl but I think the Lizzy character actress is actually better looking which kind of goes against the story, and her acting isn't that bad, but watching the other one shows how much better it could have been done.
4)I also don't like the Caroline Bingley actress, but I can't really tell you why, I just don't think she "fit." I liked the Knightly version Caroline better.
5) The mother's voice grates on you (which is appropriate for the character) but 6 hours of it has affected a few of my family members that have watched it with me.
6)The ending left me a little unfulfilled - the Knightly version or the book does a better job than this. This is sad because I think the rest of the movie is almost perfect. This is actually the only thing that I think could have really been done better.
Kiera Knightly version
Pros:
1)Absolutely love the music - had to buy the soundtrack - it does so well to set the mood, every time I hear it, the emotions that coincide with the screenplay return.
2)The character of Jane Bennet is prettier than the other version (I didn't find her pretty enough for Jane in the Firth version) which is necessary to the character
3)Kiera perhaps is too lovely for Lizzy Bennett, but she is gorgeous and for some reason we humans are wired to like that so I don't think it hurts the film.
4)Easy to sit and watch to get an Austen or P&P fix
5)*SPOILER* The scene where Darcy first asks to marry her is in a totally wrong setting according to the book, but running after her in the rain is sooo romantic - I really like the screen writer liberty on that one.
6)The principal actors (Lizzy and Darcy) are very good.
7)I personally like the ending of this one better.
Cons:
1)Too short - Left out a lot of good stuff, but that's what you get in a regular length film of a Austen novel.
2)Some of the scene changing or character dialogue changed from the novel, I think, unnecessarily; however it wasn't horrid.
3)Left out several minor characters and incidences or shortened their role in it which makes sense in a shortened film, but their "flavor" is very much missed.
Pro or Con??
When I first watched it the initial attraction of Darcy was so understated that I was actually "surprised" when he declared his love, but rewatching it, I caught the subtleties, so it is better on the second view, but totally appropriate in the context of Lizzy being surprised as well; however in the novel, the author gives you some pretty good hints. Not sure whether this is "bad" or "good."
Most likely the Colin Firth version will be the one I watch most (and currently is), but if I need a quick fix in a short amount of time, the Knightly version will do, and I love listening to the score as the movie plays - background music is normally not something I am normally tuned into or care about, but this one was done so superbly it makes me love it; however after several viewings it doesn't hold my attention as well as the Firth version does since it is not as detailed and not as faithful. So I suggest: Get Both!!
