2 of the more modern adaptations are the 1995 TV miniseries starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth and the 2005 film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. I have seen both versions several times and love them both. As adaptions of a classic love story, they get compared and contrasted almost constantly, with people often favouring one while scorning the other.
My personal favourite is the 1995 TV series, and I know that many other Austen fans also prefer this version. To me, this series is the novel almost perfectly adapted. The lines are almost exactly the same and the actors play the characters so well whilst also looking similar to how Austen describes them. The locations are, to me, more accurate as to where the characters themselves would have lived due their different incomes. In the 2005 film, Longbourn seems a bit more decrepit than it should be. I don’t know whether that’s me though as I haven’t studied the era heavily and won’t know every fact on the subject!
The miniseries uses Austen’s perfect mixture of comedy and romance; it’s one of the first romcoms really. (There’s plenty of comedy in Alison Steadman’s performance only!) Joe Wright’s film takes a more romantic route. There is still some of the humour in there, but the way it’s filmed makes it very much more romantic and arty film. One of the final scenes is one of the most romantic scenes there is, in my opinion. If you want a romantic film, this is the one out of the two you’ll want to watch.
I don’t like the US ending, however. To me, that’s too far. It becomes a bit sickly sweet and ends up with people quoting something they think was written by Jane Austen but wasn’t. I’m glad I don’t have to sit through it every time I watch the film!
So, the two Mr Darcys. I have to say that while Macfadyen does a great job portraying the romantic hero, Colin Firth will always be Mr Darcy in my eyes (and many others’). Firth plays Darcy so well. He captures his arrogance and pride and shows his transformation after he meets Elizabeth so subtly and beautifully. Macfadyen is brilliant, don’t get me wrong. I’ll just always prefer Firth’s Darcy.
And the Elizabeths? Possibly the most famous of Austen’s heroines. Lizzy is bright, witty, beautiful and intelligent. Her quick remarks and fine eyes are what first attract Mr Darcy and I think that, while Keira Knightley was closer in age to Elizabeth, Jennifer Ehle pulls it off better. Both carry off her joking nature, but Knightley still manages to appear more serious. Ehle maintains Lizzy’s fun spirit and lighthearted nature.
However, I do recognise that the miniseries is nearly 6 hours worth of content, whereas the film naturally has a lot less screen time and therefore can’t include (or expand upon) as much original content.
In conclusion, I love both utterly. If you want a romance: go for the film. If you want the book in film form, look no further than the miniseries.
Now, let’s have a moment for Mr Darcy and go pin quotes and drawings of P&P on Pinterest!
See You Next Sunday!
Jemima x
4 comments
I really liked this post! Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Austen, but I have only seen the 2005 movie version. I loved it, but this post really makes me want to watch the miniseries. Also, I am from the US and had no idea that I've been watching a movie with a different ending so that was really interesting to know.
ReplyDeleteThank you Minerva! I know you'll love the miniseries! What do you think of the US ending by the way?
DeleteJemima x
I thought the US ending was beautifully done, thought I agree with you that it was a little over the top. What bugged me about the 2005 movie was how they handled Darcy's final proposal to Elizabeth. They made it appear like Elizabeth had just misunderstood Darcy's character instead of the way it was in the book, where Darcy really was kind of jerk and became better as a result of Elizabeth's influence.
Delete-Minerva :)
Yes exactly! Both of them undergo so much development in the book because of each other, and that's not really represented in the film.
DeleteJemima x