As is often the case with film adaptations of much-loved novels, many of these movie versions of Pride & Prejudice, whilst enjoyable in their own right, have not always been happily received by die-hard fans.
BBC mini-series (1995)
- Elizabeth – Jennifer Ehle
- Darcy – Colin Firth
- Lydia – Julia Sawalha
The most critically acclaimed and popular of the recent Pride & Prejudice offerings, this 6-hour mini-series remains most true to the dialogue and characters of the novel. Ehle portrays Lizzie Bennet as full of life and spirit, while still conforming to the standards of behaviour of the time. Colin Firth is a silent or briefly spoken presence, setting many female viewers hearts racing with his brooding looks.
The extended viewing time allowed by the mini-series format allows the characters relationships to develop and storyline to be revealed in a similar manner to the novel. There are far fewer combinations of several characters into one, as is the case with many of the big screen offerings.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
- Elizabeth – Keira Knightley
- Darcy – Matthew MacFadyen
- Lady Catherine – Dame Judi Dench
- Mr Bennet – Donald Sutherland
A lovely movie, but not necessarily popular with fans of the novel. Keira Knightley is feisty as Elizabeth Bennet, although perhaps a little bit too outspoken for the role or time in history. The relationship between Elizabeth and Mr Bennet seems less close and affectionate as is indicated in the novel or in other movies. Sutherland portrays Mr Bennet as far more cynical and detached than he appears in many other versions.
Bride & Prejudice (2004)
- Lalita Bakshi (Elizabeth) – Aishwarya Rai
- William Darcy – Martin Henderson
- Johnny Wickham – Daniel Gillies
This Bollywood version is bright and colourful with likeable characters. It is not a direct retelling of the story, losing Kitty and replacing Lady Catherine with a snobbish Mrs Darcy. The music, dancing and attractive cast make this movie incredibly enjoyable and easy to watch.
Relocating the action to Amritzar in India, makes it easier for viewers to distance themselves from Austen’s restricted English drawing room drama and the result is perhaps a Pride and Prejudice movie that stands more easily on its own merits.
Fans of Colin Firth’s brooding Darcy will be disappointed with the fair-haired American hotel heir, William Darcy. They may find some compensation in Gillies’ charming but irresponsible Wickam.
The DVD version contains some interesting and entertaining behind-the-scenes views of the making of the movie.
Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)
- Bridget Jones – Renee Zellweger
- Mark Darcy – Colin Firth
- Daniel Cleaver – Hugh Grant
Bridget Jones’ Diary author Helen Fielding admits to being inspired by Pride & Prejudice for her novel. The points of comparison are tenuous but there are some parallels to be drawn between the two. Colin Firth acts as a very visual link, playing Mr Darcy both this and the BBC version.
Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver, the Wickham substitute, were friends as children and now become rivals for the affection of Bridget. Bridget is embarrassed by her flighty mother and one of the movies central themes is Bridget’s fixation with relationships and marriage.
This movie is certainly not intended to be an accurate portrayal of the novel, but more an homage to the themes and characters.
Love them or loathe them, the film adaptations of Austen certainly reinforce her novels' popularity with modern readers.
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