KC Hill
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Craig Hill
Oracle of DelphiSimon Langton's 'Pride and Prejudice' (1995)
August 8th 2006 23:24
This is by far my favourite screen adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. I re-watched some of it this morning on Ovation channel and I was again struck by just what an accurate and sophisticated rendering it is of the book. Of special mention is the gorgeous casting - Jennifer Ehle as the young Ms Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr Darcy are fantastic. The reason that the production succeeds so well is probably largely structural; At over 270 minutes in length, Pride and Prejudice (shown as a TV mini-series rather than a theatrical release) has a running time which exceeds that of Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility combined. Without the pressure to trim subplots and condense scenes, screenwriter Andrew Davies (Middlemarch) has allowed the full texture of Austen's novel to emerge. Thus, nuances and details that would be lost in a shorter version add strength to this one, so that, even at over four and one-half hours, Pride and Prejudice rarely loses momentum.
For those that don't know the story here it is. The main plot thread traces the relationship of Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle), the second of five sisters, and a wealthy young gentleman named Darcy (Colin Firth of Circle of Friends and The Advocate). The two are not immediately attracted to each other -- a fair share of pride and prejudice separates them (hence the title) -- but, as the story progresses, they are forced to examine their hearts as well as their preconceptions about each other, in order to understand the truth.
Of course, Pride and Prejudice unfolds more than just Lizzie and Darcy's tale. There's a parallel love story between Lizzie's older sister, Jane (Susannah Harker), and the charming Mr. Bingley (Crispin Bonham-Carter). We also follow the thwarted marital plans of an odious, simpering cleric by the name of Collins (David Bamber), and learn dark secrets about the character of the seemingly open and generous Wickham (Adrian Lukis).
Whereas the 1940 film version of Pride and Prejudice, which starred Laurence Olivier as Darcy and Greer Garson as Elizabeth, conveyed the bare bones plot of the novel, it was less successful in translating the book's tone to the screen. This latest adaptation has no such deficiency. Austen's wry, incisive humor is much in evidence. In fact, it is this quality, along with deft characterization, that prevents the movie from descending into the realm of a nicely-costumed, brilliantly-photographed melodrama.
If you've never had the chance to see this work clear the diary for a good six hours - find the most comfortable spot on the couch, relax, and enjoy. It's excellent.
For those that don't know the story here it is. The main plot thread traces the relationship of Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle), the second of five sisters, and a wealthy young gentleman named Darcy (Colin Firth of Circle of Friends and The Advocate). The two are not immediately attracted to each other -- a fair share of pride and prejudice separates them (hence the title) -- but, as the story progresses, they are forced to examine their hearts as well as their preconceptions about each other, in order to understand the truth.
Of course, Pride and Prejudice unfolds more than just Lizzie and Darcy's tale. There's a parallel love story between Lizzie's older sister, Jane (Susannah Harker), and the charming Mr. Bingley (Crispin Bonham-Carter). We also follow the thwarted marital plans of an odious, simpering cleric by the name of Collins (David Bamber), and learn dark secrets about the character of the seemingly open and generous Wickham (Adrian Lukis).
Whereas the 1940 film version of Pride and Prejudice, which starred Laurence Olivier as Darcy and Greer Garson as Elizabeth, conveyed the bare bones plot of the novel, it was less successful in translating the book's tone to the screen. This latest adaptation has no such deficiency. Austen's wry, incisive humor is much in evidence. In fact, it is this quality, along with deft characterization, that prevents the movie from descending into the realm of a nicely-costumed, brilliantly-photographed melodrama.
If you've never had the chance to see this work clear the diary for a good six hours - find the most comfortable spot on the couch, relax, and enjoy. It's excellent.
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