Pride and Prejudice

Love this story!

If you are a Jane Austen fan, you have to own all versions of theis great story. I particularyly liked the actress who played Elizabeth Bennett and the actor who took on the role of Mr. Bennett.

There Is A Difference Between Following The Book And Being True To The Spirit Of The Book. This Version Follows The Book But Fails To Capture The Spirit.

I think perhaps one person has been signing on repeatedly and giving this version five stars. That's the only way I can imagine it received so many. Of course, I still can't believe Keira Knightley was nominated for an Oscar for her dismal portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in the 2005 film. I have determined that movie critics cannot be readers.

This 1980 BBC version follows the book very closely, but the rather flat portrayals of the actors playing Elizabeth and Darcy fail to capture the spirit of Austen's novel. Jane comes across as a bit of a simpleton, and the other characters are uninspired.

The cinematography will fail to impress those who are used to modern films. This is much more of a play on film than a film version of the book.

While I found it infinitely preferable to the 2005 Keira Knightly film, it never comes close to the 1995 BBC/A&E miniseries starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. For anyone who wants to see the spirit of the book retained on film (along with historical and literary accuracy), the 1995 series is the only acceptable version.

Pride and Prejudice by the BBC

I guess this was to look like the famous upstairs/downstairs program. It was produced as a play, but the combination of camera quality between inside and outside kind of cheapens the quality. I found the later movie productions of Jane Austen novels done much better with Sense and Sensibility being the best.

The most enjoyable version of "Pride and Prejudice"

This is the most enjoyable version of all available TV series and movies with the title "Pride and Prejudice". The adaptation is probably truest to Jane Austin's original conception. The selection of actresses and actors is suited very well to the characters in the novel. The performance of principle actors and actresses, especially Elizabeth Garvie, is wonderfully well, except, unfortunately, the one playing Mr. Darcy. <BR/> After having been watched for over 50 times since 1997, my VHS of this play has been worn out, so I decide now to buy a DVD of this version. I would say that this is the only version of Pride and Prejudice on the market, that leads a viewer most truly to the world of Jane Austin's time.

My Least Favorite.

I've seen all four adaptations, and this one remains my least favorite. We were watching it in my Brit. Lit. class yesterday, and while it is very faithful to the plot and setting of the novel, the acting is all awkward and stilted. If only it was a bit more enjoyable to watch, I would at least give it 3 stars, but it isn't. The actress playing Elizabeth Bennet gives no depth or understanding to the character. Even Keira Knightley did better! Even the black and white 1940 version was better. When I'm watching a film adaption of a novel, I don't merely expect to see pictures acconmpanying what is written in the book. They have to offfer an interpretation which was definately lacking. It was awkward to watch - my least favorite. If you want an enjoyable Pride and Prejudice movie, get the A&E 1995 version - it's the best!

I think 3 Stars was Generous!!

Hello? Were we watching the same movie?? The actress playing Elizabeth does a very poor interpretation. She doesn't have Lizzy's playful personality or wit. Wit is not just a clever line, but also how you say it! She doesn't seem to get her own jokes. And someone down there says that this one is the most accurate, but I would say that the 1995 A&E version with Colin Firth is not only the MOST accurate, but also the BEST film adaptation.<BR/><BR/>Oh yeah, and the actor playing Mr. Bennet is weird - he doesn't seem to say his lines right either!<BR/><BR/>But it's not awful, just embarassing to watch half the time.

Very Disappointing

This show may be true to the book, but the acting is very high-schoolish. Mr. Darcy is like a robot, and Elizabeth's character is very two-dimensional and dull. All the humor and wit drops to the floor with a thud. Mrs. Bennet recites her lines like she's reading a children's book aloud. Mr. Bennet never changes his grumpy face and voice. The only good acting is done by Mr. Collins and Lady DuBerg. The sets are low-budget but acceptable for a TV show.

Still my favorite.

I saw this when it was first shown on PBS back in 1980 and I was enthralled. I bought it on VHS and watched it until it was worn out and I now own the DVD. The production values aren't the best but, if you can overlook them, you will see a version of this classic novel that sticks to the author's story and makes sure that Elizabeth Bennet's point of view is the only one we ever see (just as in the book). The actors are quite good and were well cast in their roles. I may enjoy the other versions that are available, but I always come "home" to this one.

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A reviewer

I have to say that my favorite P&P rendition will always be A&E's version starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. This one, however, was also very enjoyable. Darcy is attractive and still has that "aloof" behavior. Elizabeth is good also, except that some of her comments don't seem to emit that liveliness and playfulness that are so essential to her character. The younger sisters do not seem AS silly until halfway through. Mr. Bennet seems a lot more stern than he should be. Everyone did well I think except Mr. Bennet. His way of speaking is annoying - the way he stresses certain words.

Jane's Masterpiece

This production is truly remarkable and the closest representation of the book than any other. Each of the cast deliver an indepth portrayal of each character as created by Jane Austen.

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Simply the best

I have long waited for this to come out on DVD and finding it here is a true joy. This is by far the best P&P ever. Colin Firth is fine but he can't hold a candle to David Rintoul. Elizabeth Garvie is head, shoulders, and body above the other "pretenders"! And Mr. Collins...well, it doesn't get any better. Buy this one and forget the rest.

Superb!

I love This older BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and I agree that it's fathful to the book and just as good as the 90's version with Colin Firth and in my opinion David Rintoul is just as dreamy looking as Colin Firth, just as gorgeous! Some American viewers may find this emotionally stilted from the more glitzy Hollywood versions but from what I have read the stilted emotions are actually more accurate to what a man like Darcy would have behaved. It was frowned on to openly show your emotions. You know, The whole British stiff upper lip thing, British reserve, and personally I loved this version and I think David Rintoul and Elizabeth Garvie and the rest of the cast are all in top form!

The best version so far

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are better in this version, as well as the mother and young sister. While I love Colin Firth's acting and I agree with his mastery of subtly conveyed emotions, I can perfectly recognize and identify this Mr. Darcy. Some may not prefer it because it's not the most "colorful" version, but, in balance, I definitely prefer this one. I have Colin Firth's but I'm buying this one.

Can't Beat The British

This is the absolute best version of Pride and Predudice that has ever been made. The British respect classical literature and don't try to rewrite the story (as Hollywood is so wont to do). Elizabeth was marvelous, while Elizabeth in the A&E version was dreadful. Her eyes always looked as if they were bothering her and were about to tear.

Worst Adaptation

This is the worst adaptation of PnP I have ever seen. The performance of all characters did not move me at all especially that of David Rintoul as Mr Darcy. When I saw the latest adaptation starring Colin Firth it inspired me to read the book and it has nothing to do with the wet white shirt, he just played the part of Mr Darcy with so much life and passion. He acted every emotion that Jane Austen mentioned in the book without any exageration. We saw the changes in Mr Darcy from a proud beast to a man in love. He made me see and understand the complexity of Mr Darcy's character.Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle and the rest of the cast put a human face on every charater. Surely even the supporting characters are much better in the latest adaptation. The earlier adaptation is like a stage play and not a movie. Im not impressed Im sorry.

This is a must-have for Jane Austen fans

This is my absolute favorite of my Jane Austen collection of videos. I think it captures perfectly the essence of Jane Austen's book--witty, understated, reserved. The casting of characters is excellent, the portrayals believable. It is not an inflated Hollywood version and is, therefore, truer to the author's intent. I think Jane Austen would have approved!

what a lousy job

How could some people prefer this version over A&E(1996) version? There is just no comparison in every way. Reviewers like this version always say this one is more true to the book. Yeah, true to the words allright. But all the acting here just reading the script word by word, no emotion, no passion, especially Darcy is so wooden, even his tone of voice is so flat. God, this is the worst acting ever been done to a book of masterpiece.

A keeper!

What a relief to be able to get thiswonderful version of Pride andPrejudice on DVD at Barnes and Noble--and at such an excellent price! Ihad the VHS, twice replaced, and itwas literally 'fading away' withbleached-out colors -- all of the bad things one hears regarding frequently played video tapes!This DVD has no extras, which isperhaps the only disappointment, butto see this production restored totop color is most gratifying. In this version, Elizabeth Garvie ismuch more Elizabeth Bennett than inany other production. If I had myway, I'd be mixing the casts fromboth the A&E and this version as Idon't think either of the productionscapture perfectly ALL of the characters. However, this is a shorter version, just perfect forwhen you want to escape into anotherworld and forget about your stressesin today's fast-paced living. Hereis wholesome, clean, G-rating familyentertainment about an era that wecan barely fathom in this century.Do get this into your Austencollection.

The Most Authentic Pride and Prejudice

For me, this is the ultimate Pride and Prejudice. I broke down and bought the A&E version which is a typical Hollywood version, although closer to the original book than the early Pride and Prejudice (1940) with Greer Garson and Sr. Laurence Olivier. The latter is quite entertaining as a an example of that era of Hollywood. However, this 1979-80 BBC production is very much truer to the style and tone of the original novel. I much prefer Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul as Elizabeth and Darcy--they mirror exactly what I pictured while reading the book. I am so excited to know that we will be able to see them on DVD (I have the VHS)! Thank you Warner Brothers. I plan to purchase the Complete Collection.

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