Category Archives: 1995

Pride and Prejudice
Directed by Simon Langton
Written by Andrew Davies from a novel by Jane Austen
1995/UK
British Broadcasting Corporation
Repeat viewing/Amazon Prime

Mr. Bennet: For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?

I watched Simon Langton’s “Pride and Prejudice” (1995), a six-part BBC mini-series which I regard as the definitive adaptation of Jane Austen’s masterpiece. I just finished my umpteenth re-read of the novel.

The story takes place in the English countryside (lushly photographed) in the Regency period. The Bennet family is headed by Mr. Bennett (a cynic) and Mrs. Bennet (an airhead). The two eldest daughters have grown up to be normal lovely young women while the youngest three take after their mother. Mrs. Bennet is determined to find wealthy husbands for all her daughters and goes about it in an embarrassingly ham-handed way.

Nonetheless, their rich neighbor Mr. Bingley falls for the eldest, Jane. The lively Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle) attracts several suitors but is not enthusiastic about any of them. Mr. Bingley’s friend Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) gets off on the wrong foot with Elizabeth by proving to be haughty and proud.

I will say no more except that the course of true love never did run smooth. There are many comic characters to enjoy on the way to one of the most satisfying endings in literature.

Colin Firth is devastatingly attractive in this film. He specializes in scowling, sending smoulderingly hot glances, and looking like a deer in the headlights when Elizabeth is around. Ehle makes the perfect Elizabeth. The supporting cast is equally good. I especially liked Anna Chancellor as Caroline Bingley this time through. She tries so hard to be snarky but just puts her foot in her mouth every time. Highly recommended to all fans of the novel.

Sense and Sensibility
Directed by Ang Lee
Written by Emma Thompson from the novel by Jane Austen
1995/US/UK
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Amazon Prime rental

Elinor Dashwood: You talk of feeling idle and useless. Imagine how that is compounded when one has no hope and no choice of any occupation whatsoever.
Edward Ferrars: Our circumstances are therefore precisely the same.
Elinor Dashwood: Except that you will inherit your fortune. We cannot even earn ours.

I am rereading the divine Jane Austen’s novel so decided it was time for a rewatch of this excellent adaptation.

The Dashwood family consists of four females: Fanny (Gemma Jones), the ditzy mother; Elinor (Emma Thompson), the sensible eldest sister; Marianne (Kate Winslet), the ultra-romantic middle sister; and young Margaret, about 12 or so. One day their benefactor dies. Archaic inheritance laws prevent females of the line from inheriting. And although the benefactor makes the girls’ half-brother promise to provide for them, his selfish, greedy wife talks him out of it. In the meantime, Elinor falls for her sister-in-law’s shy brother Edward (Hugh Grant). But the sister-in-law has plans for him that do not include marrying an almost penniless partner.

Finally, the women are invited to rent a distant relative’s cottage in the countryside, where they barely make ends meet through Elinor’s economizing.

Marianne is rescued from an ankle sprain by the dashing Willoughby (Greg Wise) and soon her love for him knows no bounds, despite her sister’s advice for restraint. The much older Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman) also takes an interest, but Marianne spurns him. I won’t reveal more except to say that the course of true love never did run smooth and I always finish watching this with happy tears.

This is a first rate adaptation, all the actors are charming, and England never looked more beautiful. Recommended.

Emma Thompson won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film was nominated in the categories of: Best Picture, Best Actress (Thompson), Best Supporting Actress (Winslet); Best Cinematography; Best Costume Design; and Best Music, Original Dramatic Score.