Pride and Prejudice
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Which of the two do you prefer? The Series with Colin Firth or the 2005 Movie?
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Lori
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rated it 5 stars
Aug 22, 2012 07:02AM
These comparisons are loads of fun and don't get me wrong, I am very much in favor of the mini-series mainly because of an obsession with Colin Firth. But what I keep coming back to while reading these posts is that each version is outstanding just because they've been done and are popular. Classics that can generate this much conversation and passion are so invigorating, keeping them in the forefront of our thoughts. I feel excited whenever there is a new version of a beloved classic being released because I know there will be something to love. We have The Great Gatsby coming soon & Anna Karenina being released this fall. Neither movie will diminish earlier versions.
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I enjoyed both the series and the movie, but I'll always choose Colin Firth. ;)The movie actually did very well for such a short version of Pride and Prejudice. And, for a beginner to Jane Austen, its a perfect snag. However, there are aspects I don't like about it, mainly Keira Knightley as Elizabeth (she strikes me as too loud and forward) and Donald Sutherland as the father.
Honestly, I think it is more the portrayal of the father than anything that gets me. I LOVE Benjamin Whitrow's portrayal. To me, he is the perfect Mr. Bennet. In the 2005 movie, Mr. Bennet is portrayed as a good and loving father. In the book and the series, he is portrayed as a failure. He is so sarcastically hilarious that you can't help but love him, yet at the same time he is such a pathetic, tragic character. He cannot deal with his silly wife and so he shuts himself away from the problems of his life and allows his family to fall ultimately into more and more ruin. The character of Mr. Bennet is one of the most fascinating aspects of the book for me, so the fact that his character was entirely different in the movie irked me.
The 2005 movie is also less of a satire and more of a feel good story. It downplays the shortcomings of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, making them look like doting parents, albeit a bit silly, when in reality, Mrs. Bennet's silliness and Mr. Bennet's apathy were slowly tearing the family apart. In a way, Jane and Lizzy were forced to act as parents. Even Lydia and Mr. Wickham were downplayed in the movie. I never quite felt like the viewer truly understood what was so bad about what Lydia did. In the book, Austen is writing a satire of her society, pointing out ironies and faults mercilessly. The movie downplays all that.
Also, I feel like the upplaying of the sensual aspect (which movies like this do for modern audiences) kind of cheapened Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship. In the book and the movie, Elizabeth herself describes her engagement as "she knew she was happy, but didn't feel it" sort of thing. They love each other deeply, but not in a way that our modern movie audiences understand without sex. Its kind of sad.
So, I prefer Colin Firth's version, but the movie honestly was not bad and I do enjoy it.
Colin Firth all the way. it is what got me to read the book, which make me read more J.A.
The series was the best, to my mind, though the movie was well done, too. For me, the cast of the series clicked together - there was such a camaraderie, or such a 'vibe' - it all worked. And the actress who played Mrs.Bennett did a fabulous job 'chewing the scenery'. I had some fun looking up the various cast members to see how they looked IRL. The actress who played Lady Catherine De Burgh is actually quite beautiful.
But Mr. Bennett stole the show. "Now, now. If you are good, then in ten years you may go watch a review..." (To Kitty after Lydia's elopement)
But Mr. Bennett stole the show. "Now, now. If you are good, then in ten years you may go watch a review..." (To Kitty after Lydia's elopement)
Colin Firth. No wait, gotta show my love for Matthew Macfadyen. He was brillant, like always. But that wet, white shirt scene....oh spit. I can't decide. Im just glad I own both versions so I can watch them whenever I want!
Hands down the 2005 movie! It is my favourite movie
Rachel wrote: "I enjoyed both the series and the movie, but I'll always choose Colin Firth. ;)The movie actually did very well for such a short version of Pride and Prejudice. And, for a beginner to Jane Austen..."
Great analysis of Mr. Bennet's character. I think that the movie missed many such subtle nuances of character.
oh, definitely the 2005 version. it was perfection.Matthew MacFayden... mmmmm. :]
The 1995 Pride and Predudice is the definitive version in my opinion. No one out Darcys Colin Firth in the roll.
The BBC series was a thousand times better than the 2005 movie. There's no comparison really.
Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy.
Definitely 100% the BBC series... and the wet shirt scene ..I almost ruined my old VHS
tape.Thank God for the DVD edition.
The mini series. I am happy with remaking anything Austen wrote ad nauseam but P&P is always going to be better as a series. Also, I didn't think Keira Knightley was a good choice for Elizabeth. She is a fine actress, but she is so beautiful - Elizabeth was atractive, but beauty wasn't her primary quality. I get so irritated with Hollywood and there need to beautify everything, as if the veneer is the only thing that matters. MacFadyen can chop wood at my house anytime though. Anytime.
I love the scene in the movie in the rain when Darcy tells Elizabeth he loves her but nothing beats Colin stepping out of that pond soaking wet. the TV series has more flesh to it and is so much more enjoyable. And i find it so romantic, I love th BBC one so much! i saw the film first and later bought the TV series and i now watch it whenever i need a pick-me-up.
I don't like to compare the two, like it's always difficult to compare a book with the film.. I saw the movie first and loved it. Keira Knightley is amazing in that film, so afterwards when I saw the serie, it just didn't live up to my expectations when you compare the two Lizzie's. But the serie is great with Colin Firth, I agree on that, and it's more true to the book. But as far as entertaiment I'd choose the film. But above all: the book!
The series with Colin Firth, most definitely. He is the only Mr. Darcy for me, lol. The movie, while beautifully shot, just felt like the "Reader's Digest" condensed version. And for most people, probably a small thing, but it annoyed the crap out of me that Mrs. Bennett made the comment that the uncle had no children of his own. Why change that?
I do like Keira Knightley, but there were a few instances where she played Lizzy very over the top. Matthew MacFayden seemed more shy as Darcy, although I did love him toward the end, when he visits Lizzy after his aunt had been there, and he declares his love for Lizzy (swoon). The scene leading up to it was beautiful as he walked through the field with his coat flowing behind him.
The nail in the coffin for me was Jenna Malone as Lydia. She was just awful at the dinner scene after Lydia and Wickham come "home".
Absolutely, the BBC series! I thought the movie, though good, was somewhat diluted.
I prefer the BBC version myself, as I feel that it has stayed generally faithful to the novel itself, and the acting in the BBC adaptation was phenomenal, their characters seemed to be portrayed exactly as Jane Austen had intended them to be! I also feel that a miniseries is more suited to Pride and Prejudice than a movie timeslot would be, as the extended timespan allows us to establish the characters to a greater extent, which is vital, especially with Mr Darcy!
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..."
Oh, the BBC series for sure. I thought it much more accurately fit with the time period. Just one small example - in the movie, Mr. Bingly is treated as sort of a weak-minded goofus. What on earth would Jane see in him? In the series and in the book, Bingly is very agreeable, and too-easily influenced by Darcy, but he is still a character of some dignity.
Oh the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehles miniseries without a doubt!
Definitely love the Colin Firth Series better. I like Keira Knightley but the movie doesn't hold water to the series...
Caz wrote: "Colin Firth, definitely. I like Matthew MacFadyen as an actor, but he's not Darcy material, IMO. Also, I can't stand Keira Knigtley - her manner of speech is so artificial it drives me bonkers! ..."agree.
The series. Because it has more room to follow the actual book. In a film certain parts are left out because of the amount of time a film can have. The series are shot beautifully. And I couldn't help fall in love with Pemberly Manor with the lake.And ofcourse there is no better Darcy or Lizzy then them.
I violently hated the BBC series when it first aired, thought Ehle's Elizabeth was a nasty b--- and that Firth seemed to think he was playing Heathcliff rather than Darcy. Since then I've grown to love it for what it is, which is an interpretation of the book that (while faithful to the story line) doesn't match my own interpretation of the *feel* for my beloved favorite novel.I loved the 2005 movie from day 1, saw it SEVERAL times in the theater, and bought it the moment it came out on DVD, even though the story was clunky, some of the secondary characters were weak, and at least once MMF made me cringe a bit with how he delivered his lines. I just felt that it captured the spark between Elizabeth and Darcy better than anything that had come before.
I'm happy to watch either of them, depending on my mood, but I suppose I'll always defend the movie (for all its flaws) as the better take on P&P.
Mara wrote: "I love both sooooo much, I can't choose. I love both Colin Firth and Matthew MacFayden as Mr. Darcy, and I love the cast in the 2005 better. Except . . . I really, really don't like Keira Knightley..."I agree with your last statement! I quite liked MacFayden as Darcy, although Colin Firth is always watchable in anything - wet shirt and Arsenal boxer shorts (from the film 'Fever Pitch') included!!
HANDS DOWN the Colin Firth Series!!!!!I loved all of the characters!! That said i thought both Janes were beautiful played.
Catherine wrote: "Absolutely no contest, I much prefer the BBC mini-series with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. In fact I will go so far as to say that for me, it is the only filmed version of Pride and Prejudice th..."I'm so glad you made this point. I hated Keira Knightley, every time she came on screen i wanted to slap her. you have the feeling that she's constantly thinking about her mouth, and the film was torture to watch. I also hate Donald Sutherland in it, though he's a good actor is general, but here he was the opposite of what he was supposed to be: a snickering fool. Bingley was also portrayed as an idiot and Darcy as one-dimensional and depressed. In my view, they got it all completely wrong and there was no chemistry either to make up for it. To me it seemed like a 21st century teenage version. Of what, I'm not sure.
On the other hand, i love the subtlety of the BBC series, how all the emotions are boiling under the surface just like Jane Austen intended. The characters are complex and interesting and the movie is beautiful without being in love with itself. The actors are all cast perfectly, and it's not only Colin Firth over and over because he is handsome, but he is a fantastic actor who completely identifies with Darcy and portrays his good and bad sides, his pride, his intelligence, his sarcasm, his intolerance, his inner struggles and his amazing love for Elizabeth. That's why we love him for God's sake!
Olga wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Absolutely no contest, I much prefer the BBC mini-series with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. In fact I will go so far as to say that for me, it is the only filmed version of Prid..."AMEN!
Colin Firth is, without a doubt, my favourite Mr. Darcy!
The series wins hands down. The film was flat in comparison and not enough detail.
The series with Colin Firth, couldn't get any better!I won't even watch the movie version, why do it when u have the best, who needs a wimpy imitation
BBC version! Ya! Didn't like Keira K. as Elizabeth- she too bothers me with how she talks and how her jaw moves. I imagine the jaw thing is not her fault. Both Darcy actors were great although Colin Firth was better.
Colin Firth of course!
Colin Firth IS Mr Darcy!
Margaret wrote: "Definitely the BBC series-one of the best ever made. Brideshead Revisited is another great one. Firth cannot be equaled as Darcy and I've seen a lot of Darcies (Even Olivier can't compare) All o..."Cynthia wrote: "Matthew who?! Colin Firth, all the way!"
Cynthia wrote: "Matthew who?! Colin Firth, all the way!"
Sakura Yue wrote: "I have to say the movie. Colin Firth seems too stiff, no passion. Jane-movie was much more beautiful, the soundtrack is lovely, and Judy Dench was much more respectable and formidable than the one ..."
Colin Firth, of course!
Wet shirt Darcy-checkSmart & tart Elizabeth-check
Annoying Mrs. Bennett-check
Insipid Mr. Collins-check
That and so much more make the BBC version better. Keira Knightley, who I usually love, was absolutely wrong as Elizabeth. Donald Sutherland, also a favorite, looked like some homeless guy. Again a poor choice. Judy Dench is hard to beat on any day, but I thought the BBC actress (blanking on her name) certainly portrayed the character with proper superiority and disdain. Perhaps the only better characterization in the movie was Jane. The mini series is superior in almost all ways.
I prefered the BBC Movie. Much better with Keira Knigtley. Loved it, still watch it whenever I get the chance. I also love reading the book, and have read it many times.
I obviously liked the movie better! For me, Matthew MacFadyen is just perfect for the role Mr Darcy! I love him!
It would be interesting to see if the people who prefer the movie saw it first as opposed to the mini series? ;) To be honest, there's no comparison when it comes to a 5hours+ adaption of a book to a 90 minute one, you'll never really get to explore the characters and get inside their heads. In saying that, yes, I'll admit I'm more of a fan of the series. I see the portrayals in it as the definitive (until proven otherwise) versions of each character. I wanted to strangle Lydia, shudder at Mr.Colins and run from Mrs.Bennet. I felt the movie over romanticised the proposal, other than the inevitable moment that it was. Both are enjoyable but in my mind there is no comparison. I feel McFadden lacks a certain conviction in his demeanour, if still adorable (I'm writing this as I watch the movie!)
I prefer the series, mostly because it really has the opportunity to delve into all the themes and plot points of the novel. But cinematography wise, the movie was beautiful, and it did handle as much of it as it could in the time frame it had. In other words, it wasn't BAD, I just prefer the series because it represents the novel in a more straightforward manner.
The series definitely. Partly because I saw it first, partly because the fact that it's longer means that it can be so much more faithful and partly because I think that it just incapsulates the book so much better.The film is good and I think if it hadn't been for the TV series I would have loved it but for me no-one is ever going to be Mr Darcy other than Colin Firth.
One exception for me is possibly Judi Dench. I have a general rule that Judi Dench makes everything better so maybe if you swapped her into the TV series that would be perfection.
On a side note I recently found out that Jennifer Ehle isnt English! Who knew?!
NO contest The BBC adaptation with ColinFirth & Jen Ehle was/is superb
matthey macfadyen!!!!! the movie, it amazing, love it so much!
Definitely Colin Firth! The BBC version was way better! Hollywood destroyed P&P IMO.
the 2005 movie!!!!!Kiera knightley was a wayyyyyyy better Eliza Bennet than the woman in the BBC series.
The bbc drama, it portrays the characters much better than the movie, and tells the story more exactly
I like the bbc series i hated the 2005 darcy, but collins were better. Keira was hotter but jen ehle is still my choice. Actually watching 2005 version now...lol i absolutly hate bingley in both versions...total wimp.2005 more gritty more real should have been longer.
i like 2005 movie but i have read the book
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