Pride and Prejudice

A True Classic

This version of PRIDE & PREJUDICE is exactly like the book. Even down to certain conversations between characters. Colin Firth puts in a wonderful performance as Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle plays Elizabeth Bennet splendidly.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

The best movie adaptation ever of one of my all time favorite books

I watched this series when it originally was shown on A&E and have watched the DVD numerous times since. My recent purchase was a gift.

Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors. I've read all of her books multiple times and have seen every movie adaptation of her books. In my opinion, this is the absolute best primarily due to the casting and the screenplay.

I've seen very few of the cast in other movies. However, even though they are not as well known as the cast in the most recent version of P&P, they are almost all superior in their roles. When I reread the book now, the voices I hear in my head for Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennett, and many of the other characters are those from this movie. And I can't even begin to describe how perfect Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehrle are. Most of Darcy's feelings and attitudes have to be conveyed via facial expressions and body language rather than with dialogue, and Firth is superlative at doing so. Keira Knightly may look more like she's 20 than Ehrle does, but Ehrle's portrayal does a far better job of capturing Elizabeth's character and spirit.

The two problems I have with most adaptations is that they cut out significant portions of the book in order to fit within the time limits of a movie and/or they make unnecessary changes that cause the movie to be very different than than the original book. Since this was a miniseries, the time restriction wasn't an issue. While not word for word the same, this is a faithful adaptation of the spirit of the book. The changes that were made seem to be those that were necessary to best tell the story cinematically.

I'd give this DVD 10 stars if I could.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Beware the DVD version

My second attempt to get a quality DVD version of Jennifer Ehle & Colin Firth¿s portrayal of Lizzy and Darcy, has failed. My first attempt was almost a year ago when the latest release came out in August. It¿s disappointing to report that the DVD version of ¿Pride and Prejudice¿ ,the Special Edition (ISBN 0-7670-3826-6) distributed by NEWVIDEO for B.B.C. and A&E (cat.# AAE-70254) suffers from remarkably poor quality control. It¿s contrast is too severe. Details of ruffles and folds of costumes are lost to the viewer. Hair style details are likewise lost or disappear in the darkness of shrubbery backgrounds and foliage. Actors all appear pale unto death, and buildings exposed to too much ultraviolet rays. Patterns in dresses, waistcoat, or draperies are 90% lost. Colours are devoid of hue as found in the VHS tapes. I spot checked several Chapters on the DVD and was demoralized. I then ran the DVD and the VHS versions simultaneously on split screen. The DVD version is drab/¿washed-out¿ by comparison. There are times when the images are not in focus. And the VHS version is, even at it¿s worst - where there is signal deteriation, still more vivid than the DVD version. Sadly too, I know that the VHS version will continue to deteriorate, and fear that future copies of video will be made from the current flawed DVDs. Tell anyone that you can and have them complain to A & E, B.B.C and New Video (they all have websites) that the current DVDs are of shameful quality.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Great Movie

This was a great movie it followed the book perfictly.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The Best Pride and Prejudice Adaptation!!

I've seen all the P&P movies except the black and white one that had the wrong costumes and stuff. Out of the 3 I've seen, this is definately the best. Jennifer Ehle does a fantastic interpretation of Elizabeth Bennet, and Colin Firth will be forever applauded for making the PERFECT Mr. Darcy. While I don't mind the Focus Features version of P&P with Keira Knightley, it didn't seem to quite catch the spirit of the novel. This one is long - about 5 hours - but it's definately worth it. It's one you can watch over and over again.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful

Everytime I read a book I never want to see the movie because it always seems to ruin the book. I can tell you that this isn't the case with Pride and Prejudice. The movie is quite long but you get so involved in it that it's over way too soon. The movie is exactly like the book...for those of you that liked Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, you will love the movie. And to all of you who couldn't get into the book or didn't understand it I doubly reccomend seeing the movie and then rereading the book. It will truely come alive for you. This is my ultimate all-time favorite movie. If I had to recommend a movie to buy, this would be it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Film To Add To A Stellar Collection.

A while ago,We purchased this Lovely adaptation from Miss.Jane Austen's Immense Tomes.Viewed Earliest version on PBS. Was a veritable, fall over Laugh of a Drama/Comedic Moments Treat.This is a Solemn,Thoughtfull Variation. There really Is the Question that Begs,Whom is Full of Pride? Whom is Prejudice? Truly left to the Viewer.I have my own thoughts,However not to Be Missed to Keep!We paid so much more than this Delicious Offer.Miss.Bennett and Mr.Darcy are as Star Crossed as can be. Performances are all Fabulous.Loathing those that One will eventually.Adore the Moments when a tear trickles down the cheek,for a quick grab for tissues.The Best of British filming.

Quietly falling in love

I've seen many adaptations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice pur to film, and this is by far the best version ever created.
Colin Firth is perfect as the respectably awkward and quietly upstanding citizen Mr. Darcy.
Jennifer Ehle plays Ms. Bennet with a fiery passion in her eyes and an adventurousness in spirit.
Hollywood may have done their own version, but this is the version you'll want to curl up on the couch and watch again and again.

Fantastic!

This is the best movie adaption of a book I've ever seen. The plot is very true to the book. The characters are portrayed brilliantly and the set and costume design are wonderful. I recently watched the Keira Knightly version. I would have liked it, but it paled in comparison. So, if you watched that version and liked it, be prepared to love this one.

A film to which all other Pride and Prejudice versions will be measured against

This is the best version I have seen and most faithful to the book. Leaps and bounds better than the theatrical version with Kiera Knightly.

This is the best version.

I have seen all the versions of this. I keep going back to this one. It is by far the best.

Pride and Prejudice

This film is wonderful. It is one of my all time favorites and there are many scenes I know by heart. The acting, music, costumes, and the sets make it a joy to watch. Pride and Prejudice is a timeless novel and the film does not miss a detail. Even if one knows the ending, it is still compelling to watch and one cannot wait to see what happens next. This is truly a love story that everyone should watch again and again!

Purchase a Blue-Ray DVD Player and Watch This One!

Although I have the original DVD, I decided to treat myself to the Blue-Ray DVD update. I wanted to see the difference for myself, and am so pleased that I did! The colors, sound and the clarity greatly enhance a breathtaking presentation of a wonderful story. The new version truly takes the viewer into the English countryside - the scenery, the characters and the buildings come alive.

I recommend this Blue-Ray DVD to a Jane Austen lover, as well as to someone just getting to know her work. The additional information regarding the making of the presentation is also very interesting, although I would skip the little walk on the grounds segment.

Best Pride & Prejudice version ever!

OK, so I'm a Jane Austen fan. I watched all the movies filmed on her books I could get, even the one filmed in 1940. But this one by BBC is a timeless classic. It beats them all. And yes, it beats the new movie with Keira Knightley too. It follows the book very closely in general, however, it adds some scenes that definitely were not written by Ms. Austen (like the famous "Mr. Darcy in the lake" one). When I watched it for the first time, I was also upset by the choice of actress for Lizzy. I mean, honestly, she's supposed to have a "light and pleasing" figure, what's up with Jennifer Ehle? :) But then you get used to her, and she really represents the character of a heroine very well, temper and all. I also enjoy the slow pace of the movie, it has enough time to relate all the events and not rush through them. I imagine this is how they lived in Victorian England, when they had all the time in the world, no work, no stress, went to visit their friends for months, and all that. Nevertheless, it does get intense in all the right places.

I recommend this movie to any Jane Austen lover. You can't do better than this P&P version.

Terrific Adaptation

I've known people who never having read one world of Austen were inspired by this miniseries to go reading and became fans. In fact, given I believe this predates the spate of Austen films in the nineties, this might have touched off her renaissance in popularity, and for good reason. I find this adaptation heads above the later film with Kiera Knightly. It's a lot more faithful for one--I felt the other film needlessly changed the original in ways unnecessary to update it and was inferior than what it replaced. You certainly never feel that way about this adaptation which captures Austen's humor and romance both. If the Thompson Sense and Sensibility is notable for making me cry, this one is notable for making me laugh hysterically to the point I was afraid I wouldn't be able to stop. All the casting is about pitch perfect. My only reservation on that score might be the actress that plays Jane--and not because of her performance, but only because the book (and the script) goes on about how she is by far the most beautiful of the sisters, while the actress is not a conventional beauty--but she does capture's Jane's sweetness while never being cloying. Colin Firth's Darcy and Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth are on the other hand, my gold standard.

Wonderful!!!

This film, though long, is the BEST version of this story EVER!!! I absolutely love this version, and it is so much better that the 2005 movie. I recommend this to anyone that is an Austen fan. If you like Pride and Prejudice, you will love this movie!! It has every element that a movie should, and is well worth the many hours it takes to watch this film. The nice part about it being so long is that you get the full effect of the story, and also; it is broken up into 6 episodes, so you can watch it all at once (which I recommend for your first viewing..) or you can break it up into smaller chunks. If you have not read the book yet, I think you will want to, but the movie- I think- is even better than the book! Which does not happen too often with novels... Enjoy!

Pride and Prejudice

This production of "Pride and Prejudice" is far superior to the one with Kiera Knightly. However, the color quality leaves something to be desired. The characters all appear pale.

Watch this movie

You will enjoy this movie!

Long but good

This movie is a little lengthy but nice if you have a day with only relaxing on the agenda. I did have to mute it when Elizabeth's mother was speaking, the longer I listen to her the more annoying it gets. Overall a great movie

A&E's Pride and Prejudice

This version of Pride and Prejudice is by far THE BEST VERSION OUT THERE!!!! If you are a true Jane Austen fan and would like to find a movie that holds true to the book this is the movie for you! A&E also did the best job in casting for the parts. You will never find a better Mr. Darcy than Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle portrays Elizabeth to perfection. Although the movie is long (5 1/2 hours) it does not seem to be and I am always sad when it is over.

This is also the best version to watch to get a better understanding of the book. Pride and prejudice is my favorite book and there are passages taken word for word out of the book and put into the movie. I went to Oklahoma State university and we watched this version in one of my Literature classes to help those who have a hard time understanding the book.

I finally convinced my husband to watch it with me and he, although he will deny it now, loved it...laughing right along with me and getting mad at some of the characters.

If you have not seen this version, please do!!!! It is a MUST SEE!!!!