Pride and Prejudice (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.