Pride and Prejudice
discussion
Which of the two do you prefer? The Series with Colin Firth or the 2005 Movie?
The series for so many reasons the number one being the casting of Colin Firth as Mr Darcy *swoons*. The casting of all the other characters were also spot on especially Mrs Bennet. I absolutely love P&P and thought the movie did not do the book justice at all. Obviously a movie would have a lot less details than a mini series but as far as books turned movies go it's one of the worst I think. For such a classic book, the movie was forgettable.
The BBC series!! It was so true to the book. I can barely watch the scenes with Donald Sutherland in the 2005 version. I like the movie, but it definitely doesn't follow the book like the miniseries is able to do. I think Keira Knightly acts the same in all of her movies. How was Elizabeth different than the character she played in Pirates of the Caribbean?
While I really enjoyed the latest version as a film, it was a poor approximation of the novel. The BBC version is much truer to the tale with great actors.
I love both series and movie equally. I agree most of them prefer series over movie I think the thing that made difference was the length. Series was about around 6 hours while movie was just around 2 hrs, so we definably connect more to the series as we would see more of Darcy, Elizabeth and other characters. But in a 2 hrs of movie adapting each part of novel would be defiantly difficult. So I can’t choose between these two. No way.
Joanna wrote: "I think the BBC series was more faithful to the book, but there were many things about the 2005 movie that I liked such as the casting and the feel of the whole thing. Of course, I would rather jus..."Well put.
Wonder why this discussion was even started...comparing the series to the movie is utterly insane (my opinion)... I definitely loooooved the Colin Firth series and was really struggling to through the movie! Agreed the series had the advantage of time (being almost 5 and 1/2 hours) but what i liked about the movie was its characterization. When I think of Darcy - his persona and his appeal, I think of Colin Firth; Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth is not only convincing but so fresh and versatile. Keira Knightly in the movie is not 'Elisabeth'-the character, but 'Keira' as she is. Not even in once scene could I see the brilliance or radiance of Elizabeth in her! So sad... and she is supposed to be a good actor!
But the most attractive part of the BBC series is the scenery! and wow it is! The English countryside has never been captured so romantically, and I can never forget the Darcy's Lake Scene! what visual pleasure! All that is LOST in the movie adaptation!
I watched both.the movie is beautiful and a good romantic piece and I like it,but the series is the essence of Pride and Prejudice and Colin Firth is more gentleman like and did a very good job portraying Mr. Darcy's character.let alone the fact that the series is much more longer.
I'm a sucker for P&P adaptions and I have to say I prefer the 1995 BBC version by far. Jennifer Ehle has this sparkle in her eyes and still seems much more mature all the while in contrast to Keira Knightley (I do love Keira, but I didn't think she was a good fit for Lizzy).
Colin Firth gets the whole range of emotions way better than Matthew McFayden.
I liked the movie Jane better than the 1995 BBC one, tho, as well as the movie Mary. The Carolines are tied for me.
I loved the atmosphere in the movie tho.
Another adaption I enjoyed was the 1980 BBC one with David Rintoul and Elizabeth Garvie.
Although I am a sucker for anything Colin Firth, I really loved the 2005 version. Maybe it was the intense passion between Darcy (MacFadyen) and Elizabeth (Knightley), the incredible line delivery by all the actors and the beautiful cinematography throughout the film. That being said, the BBC series was also fantastic. Especially that pond scene ;) But... I am partial to the 2005 version.
Katja wrote: "...Jennifer Ehle has this sparkle in her eyes and still seems much more mature all the while in contrast to Keira Knightley (I do love Keira, but I didn't think she was a good fit for Lizzy).Colin Firth gets the whole range of emotions way better than Matthew McFayden..."
True...
It has to be the BBC series, without a shadow of a doubt, I really think it captured Elizabeth and Darcy so much better then the show, and seen as they are my favourite characters, and really the only characters worth noting, this made me happy!
also Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy my my my happy days!
also Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy my my my happy days!
Ugh, did anyone prefer the 2005 movie? It was pure crap, IMO. A few actors dressed up in Regency clothing and spouting Austen's lines does not make an Austen book come to life. There was absolutely no soul in that movie. I don't mind Keira Knightley as an actress, but she clearly had no clue how to portray Elizabeth. And the less said about Matthew MacFadyen the better. The 1995 miniseries, on the other hand, was superbly cast, acted, directed, produced, and whatever else can be done to a TV show. It's one of my favourite TV series ever. I have watched it about 5 times, and would watch it again anytime.
The film wins hand down. I loved Kiera as Elizabeth and IMO she played Elizabeth much better than Jennifer Ehle. I just could not get into Ehle as Elizabeth. The series for me was a real "yawner". I was so bored by the first half that I fast forwarded the rest of the series. The actors were not attractive to look at. They could have at least tried to get an actress to play Jane who was more accurate to the way she was described in the book. The only thing that saved the series was Colin Firth, but then again I also liked MacFayden as Darcy. I believe the film was much better than the series. For those who have bashed the film, I'd like to know what about it made it less inferior to the series in their opnion.
The 2005 movie was AMAZING, but not loyal to the book at all. I think that the BBC was much better as far as that goes. However, the film was shot beautifully and was a work of art as far as cinematography goes. The BBC Mr. Darcy is much closer to the book in my opinion, but I think I like Keira Knightly better that Elizabeth in the BBC series. The film is obviously much shorter and therefore many of my favorite scenes are missing, and also my favorite lines. But I just can't get over how well cast it is. I can't really decide between the two. The film is a much better piece of work, but I can't ignore the fact that it strays pretty far from the book. The BBC is older and therefore without all the beauty shots, but it's still an awful lot more loyal to the book!
The agony! ;)
Anyways, I should watch the BBC sometime soon, I just picked it up for $0.50 at a sale.
Good find, Grace. I think I will have to re-watch and re-read the book. I don't remember the film being that far-off from the book. I guess some liberties are taken in order to condense a book down to two hours or so.
Grace: I should watch the BBC sometime soon, I just picked it up for $0.50 at a sale.Philip: Wow all of Colin Firth for less than half a quid!
Licha: For those who have bashed the film, I'd like to know what about it made it less inferior to the series in their opnion.
Philip: They have spoken: Colin Firth doesn't get them corked up like Matthew MacFayden. They probably don't know or dig his Spooks backstory. A pity. He is much more of a heart-throb than the git who first appears at the ball, too rich and well-connected for his own good.
Missy: I think Keira Knightly acts the same in all of her movies. How was Elizabeth different than the character she played in Pirates of the Caribbean?
Philip: Two can Tango! Look at all the drooling over the poses of Firth, while others (myself I'll admit) sigh incontinently at the English roses of Ms. Knightley. But right you are, Sutherland was the dog of the movie.
Philip: Aux Quai, here's another take on the Firth v. MacFayden debate: the star of Spooks adds a hint of Zorro.
Amy wrote: "Definitely the BBC with Colin Firth! I agree with Lauren - the wet shirt Mr. Darcy is yummy. What's crazy (or actually not at all crazy) is the fact that Colin Firth's wet shirt Mr. Darcy was way m..."Word.
Mitali wrote: "Ugh, did anyone prefer the 2005 movie? It was pure crap, IMO. A few actors dressed up in Regency clothing and spouting Austen's lines does not make an Austen book come to life. There was absolutely..."I totally agree with you! I can't stand the 2005 movie. IMO, it was awful!
The BBC series nails it for me! It captures the essence of all the characters and Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy - amazing
It has to be Mr Firth - thanks for the reminder about it - must watch it again... there was an older BBC version with David Rintoul - fell in love with Darcy then
Sakura Yue wrote: " Colin Firth seems too stiff, no passion". Darcy is meant to be stiff - but for me Colin Firth manages to convey the suppressed passion while not appearing to do anything. The scene where he watches her playing the piano from the fireplace - he positively smoulders at her, and the passion in his eyes ...! I just melt with compassion for him.
TV series for me, all about the lake scene ;-)
could not stand the movie. The Colin Firth series followed the book.
Colin Firth did a splendid job of playing Mr. Darcy including those steely glances he shoots at Elizabeth Bennett to the hurt look in his eyes when she lets him have it about her family. His yearning looks that he is very interested in Miss Bennett are so real! He can very much so speak with his eyes. Definitely the BBC series.
Colin Firth is Mr Darcy! No other man will do for that role. I prefer all the actors in the BBC series. I loved watching it when it was first on TV and now have it on DVD.
I will go with the Colin Firth version because I believe that it sticks closer to the book. I admire any filmmaker that makes an effort to do so. I also like the actress that plays Elizabeth better than Keira Knightly.
The BBC series with Colin Firth definitely. I think the BBC Series is truer to the novel text. Colin Firth is a bonus!
Definitely the series. There was more time for character development, especially Darcy's. In the movie, I didn't see enough change to really allow me to fall in love with him.Asia wrote: "Hello Everyone,
I liked the movie and have watched both several times. Nevertheless I prefer the series because I think it portrays Mr. Darcy's initial "hatred" and final love better than in the m..."
Definitely the series. Colin Firth is awesome.
Amy wrote: "Definitely the BBC with Colin Firth! I agree with Lauren - the wet shirt Mr. Darcy is yummy. What's crazy (or actually not at all crazy) is the fact that Colin Firth's wet shirt Mr. Darcy was way m..."Not crazy, completely agree!
I refused to even watch the others after seeing the BBC series with Colin Firth. It was exactly as how I had pictured the book- from Dr. Darcy all the way to Jane, Mr. Bennett and even Mrs. Bennett with her annoying ways. I am not a Kiera Knightly fan though and tend to get irritated when they re-make really great movies. If they ever re-make Gone with the Wind or the Godfather Trilogy, I think I'll have a conniption. I bought the mini-series just this year actually and watched all... what is it like 4-6 hours? I don't know, I was taking breaks but yeah it was long. I'm so glad I own it. It's one of my favorite things to watch and I love how true to the book they kept it. The cast was perfect.
Colin Firth. But I also liked the guy who played in "Lost in Austin" - Don't know his name.
the series any day.
I just finished a book by Kim Izzo called The Jane Austin Marriage Manual - and she has her character - Kate comment that the Colin Firth version is much better than the 2005 version. This book was funny and entertaining.
The series definitely! The movie was visually delightful, but not at all the same!
Colin Firth! The BBC series was fantastic. Jennifer Ehle perfect for the part.
they are both great for different reason!
I thought the overall acting was superior in the series, except for Jennifer Ehle who is a good actress but looked far too old for the part.Having said that, there is nothing creative about the series, except that it's a good adaptation of the novel. On the other hand, Pride and Prejudice the movie is beautiful to SEE because the director is a true artist.
Katie wrote: "I liked the film way better than the bbc series. I think Elizabeth in the movie is way more likable and charming. Also the film was just beautifully directed. I think it really combined the classic..."I agree with that! Jennifer Ehle had no charm at all!
I have them both and have watched each more times than I can count. Donald Sutherland did not do justice to the character. He was hard to understand and I missed most of the wonderful sarcastic statements the Mr. Bennet was known for. The father in the series did a great job. Keira also did a wonderful job in the movie. I thought her portrayal was much better than the Elizabeth in the series. How can you not love Colin Firth. He is Mr. Darcy. All in all it's just such a wonderful story and I will continue to watch them both and enjoy them.
The miniseries was hands down better. The movie was ok, but it's one of my least favorite adaptations of the book. I think Firth is by far a better Darcy than MacFadyen and Keira Knightley did not deliver as Elizabeth. Especially when compared to Jennifer Ehle. I just think as a whole the casting was better in the miniseries. This comes through even more so when you compare the side characters. No contest.
I loved both. (Actually, I've loved all the versions of P&P that I've seen. I think they all had something to make them stand out.)Someone mentioned the sexual tension, or heat, between McFaydden and Knightly, and boy what a heat it was! That moment when he says how much he loves her in the dawn was so amazing. It made the BBC version look tame. It was out of character, but it was wonderful.
The BBC version got me reading all of Jane's books (I was a bit of an avoider of classics before that). I have actually moved on to Persuasion being my favorite now (probably my age) and yet, I hold such a place in my heart for P&P.
I love them both
the movie, hands down! not to say the series wasn't good, it was, but I don't really like Colin Firth as an actor, so that did it in for me, I thought Keira Kneightly was perfect! for an hour and a half I think they did a wonderful representation of the book!
Honestly, I adored the 2005 movie. The series was also fantastic, but Joe Wright's version was just so amazingly beautiful.
Definitely the series with Colin Firth. Thought all the characters were brilliant (except for Jane). I did not like the 2005 film at all.
The Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle one. ((BBC)) Any day.
It is impossible to compare a mini-series which gives the actors the time to develop their characters and the story, with a 90 minute movie? I have seen the series, and also own both the 1940, and the 2005 movies, and yes the BBC series is a truer adaptation of the novel - but then how could it not be given it was a mini-series? Have to say however that I love the 2005 movie, and think both Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFayden were perfectly cast in the roles of Elizabeth and Darcy.
La serie de la BBC. La película la he visto varias veces y me falta sentimientos que en la serie sí están. La BBC es muy fiel al libro.
Colin Firth!!!!He is the "real" Darcy. Proud, shy, sensitive... He played very well.
In the 2005 movie, the "Darcy" looks depressive more than proud or shy.
I prefer also the serie because it lasts longer than the movie and all the characters are much more like in the book.
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Actors in both are really good - I like the Firth/ MacFadyen Darcys and the Knightley/Ehle Elizabeths equally, but in the series the other characters are far better portrayed than at all possible during a 90-minute film.
So series it is.