Some films made from Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice have endeavored to be as faithful to the book as possible, while some have taken liberties with the story to suit the audience of the time.
1940 Pride and Prejudice
The first film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, this one changed many aspects of the book. The wartime audience was accustomed to a happy ending, and this adaptation gave them that. The character of Lady Catherine was changed from a villain to a caring aunt who approved of her nephew's marriage. This adaptation starred Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy. It was directed by Robert Z. Leonard.
1952
A BBC miniseries, this was the first of several BBC adaptations. BBC is well known for its costume dramas and beautiful sets, and this adaptation is no different. This series paved the way for more BBC productions over the next four decades. Daphne Slater starred as Elizabeth Bennet and Peter Cushing played Mr. Darcy.
1967
Another BBC miniseries, this one was filmed in six parts like its predecessor. And, like its predecessor, it has largely faded into obscurity since the release of later versions. Directed by Joan Craft, Celia Bannerman and Lewis Fiander played Elizabeth and Darcy.
1980
This third BBC miniseries was only five parts, but was set apart by its extensive original score and breathtaking costume design. It was also almost an hour longer than the previous BBC adaptations though it ran for one day less. Joan Ellacott designed the elegant Regency costumes and Wilfred Josephs created the adaptation’s original score.
1995
The best known of all Pride and Prejudice adaptations, this version was a BBC/A&E collaboration that made a star of Colin Firth as Darcy. This version is readily available on VHS and DVD and a popular book chronicles the making of the series. At 300 minutes, it is the largest and most comprehensive of all the movie versions. Andrew Davies’ screenplay closely follows the novel. Elizabeth and Darcy were played by Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. Firth’s performance was so well received that he has since been cast in the two Bridget Jones movies as a modern-day Darcy.
2005
This epic, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, changed much of the language to make it more modern, to the irritation of many Jane Austen fans. Lizzie's character was billed as being a "modern woman" and given dialogue to match. For many viewers, this was their first taste of Jane Austen and this adaptation gave them an easy entry into the world of Regency intrigue.
There have also been several movies inspired by the book but peopled with modern characters. Bridget Jones was based on Pride and Prejudice, with its romantic hero named Darcy and the main character torn between the stuffy hero and the handsome scoundrel. Pride and Prejudice: A Latter Day Comedy was a 2003 version with a modern take much like Bridget Jones. Bride and Prejudice was a 2004 adaptation that combined a modern story with the classic and mixed in Bollywood sensibilities.
Related article: Vanity Fair and Pride and Prejudice
