Pride And Prejudice Reviews

Austen would be proud, does justice to her masterpiece

A mammoth production, which is necessary to convey the full scale of one of the greatest works of literature of all time.

Yes I'm a Jane Austen fan. This has been my favourite book since I first read it at 15. What I find staggering is the fact that the qualities, failures and quirks of her characters are as relevant today as they were then.

The BBC obviously took a lot of time and effort producing this and I doubt anyone else could come close. They have adeptly captured the humour as well as the drama and emotion that makes Austen's work so powerful.

Colin Firth has made Darcy his own, with his starchy, often emotionless performance, reflecting his character in the understated elegance it demands.

Not so sure that Jennifer Ehle is as successfull in portraying the depth of character and spirit that is Elizabeth, but she does tolerably well.

This is a beautifully shot, scripted and acted production and a fabulous chick flick to boot.

Fantastic and very faithful to the book

I was looking forward to watching this series as I had heard of the reputation of the BBC productions.

I have to say that this first 3 chapters have surpassed all my expectations. A clear advantage of the 6-chapter format (as compared to Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility) is that it takes you slowly through the story and does not alter the original in order to fit the story into 2 hours.

The casting is most cases is brilliant. The actors manage to carry off their lines without looking ridiculous which is quite a task for such an old fashioned movie. My only gripe with the casting is with respect to Mrs. Bennet and Lydia, who I feel over-emphasise the shrillness of their characters. Jennifer Ehle is a hidden treasure of English cinema and Colin Firth was born to play Mr. Darcy!

Load of rubbish

Was only able to watch about the first 20 minutes of DVD 1. No real story, very flowery and lacking in realism.

Excellent

Worth watching just for the diving in the lake scene. the BBC do these dramatisations so well. Jane Austen does not always carry well from the page to the screen, but this is the best adaptation you will ever see.

Wonderful - Almost Great

This is what the BBC do best - glorious historical fiction dramatisations. There didn't appear to be a single flaw in any of the historical reconstructions.

Not only did it stick very closely to the book but enhanced it by showing scenes concerning Darcy which Lizzie learns about later, but aren't shown in the book.

My only criticism is Alison Steadman's portrayal of Mrs Bennett, she plays her as a shrew and with no redeeming features to explain Mr Bennett falling in love with her and marrying - as she was - beneath him.

True Class

Well, this is the Daddy of period dramas. Rarely are they done as well as this. It's a very faithful adaptation with a select few Andrew Davies additions which work wonderfully and have made this drama famous - Darcy in a wet shirt anyone?

It follows the novel beautifully and absolutely catches the wit and humour that Jane Austen intended which is why so many other adaptations fall at the first fence. The performances are breathtaking with quite obvious chemistry between Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth which gives the whole productrion wings. My only gripe is that Alison Steadman plays Mrs Bennet as a pantomime dame which almost works, but not quite.

The production, costumes and locations are stunning and now, even 12 years old, this still doesn't look dated. This is a classic - this is how it should be done.

Disappointing

Jennifer Ehle is miscast as LIzzy and if they get something so fundamental wrong then its just not going to work.

BBC at its best

First class cast and first class acting. Having just read (and seen) The Brigit Jones Diary, and Edge of Reason (its sequel), I felt I had to reaquaint myself with the original Mr. Darcy, so I read again the book (Pride and Prejudice), and than sat and watched the film in one go. Colin Firth was born for that role indeed, but I also very much enjoyed Mr. Collins, Mr. Bennet and all the sisters. I especially enjoyed the fact that the film wasn't rushed, that the quiet momens (when nothing much happens) were also included, so that it wasn't catered for the today's public who has increasingly less patience for non-action. In comparison I found the 'Middlemarch' film somewhat rushed; (the book itself is twice as long) and if the film had to be within five hours I understand that cuts had to be made somewhere; nevertheless in some crucial and most romantic moments I felt dissapointed. So congratulations to the BBC on the Pride and Prejudice film; at the moment I feel I don't need to ever see another version of this film; it so completely satisfied my expectations

Delightfull

Jane Austen's timeless story has been the subject of 3 BBC adaptations (I remember Michael Gough as Mr Bennett in a Black and White Version) a film with Laurence Oliver and the recent Bollywood version and is, currently, being filmed again.

This version is wonderfully cast and well written with stand out performances by Alison Steadman, Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. Laugh out loud in parts with a sexy romantic leads. Well worth watching.

A superb BBC production, the best Pride and Prejudice yet and with Colin Firth...need I say more