Which of the two do you prefer? The Series with Colin Firth or the 2005 Movie?

[Laura]

Colin Firth ad Jennifer Ehle, just because it is so much like the book. And CF really played Mr. Darcy very well (...moment to fantasize...). Matthew McFayden on the other side is cute but not Mr. Darcy. And I'm not a fan of Keira Knightley. I thought she played Elisabeth Bennet completely wrong. Let her play Anna Karenina, that was way better for her personage.

[Lynne]

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..."

I loved the series way more than the movie because it did a much better job of creating the love-hate tension between Lizzy and Darcy. Kept me swept up and on the edge of my chair emotionally. Makes me want to see it again :)

[Allan]

Lynne wrote: "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 ..."

Well said Lynne. The series gives us much more time to see and digest the misinterpretations and behaviors of so many of the characters. And Jennifer Ehle was the perfect Lizzy for me.

[Kathleen]

I love the movie. I think Matthew's Mr. Darcy is spot on with the passion and the pride. Keira as Elizabeth is also spot on, she is a far better Elizabeth. I like the series but felt the acting was to stuffy and did lack the wanting passion that you see in the movie.

[Lynne]

I just watched the BBC series again tonight and am in love with this story all over again! What some people think of as "stiff" acting, comes across to me as the reserved emotions the English are known for - that for me heightens the anticipation of the more emotional scenes and makes them all the more intense and rewarding. I think the acting is excellent: all the expressiveness comes through the eyes, body language and clever conversations. Jennifer Ehle is beautiful and Colin Firth is yummy!

[Melinda]

BBC series with Colin Firth, definitely! So much richer and more detailed than the movie, and better cast, in my opinion. Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle seemed more mature and had better chemistry than Matthew MacFadyen and Keira Knightley. I don't think you can do justice to P&P with only a couple of hours.

[Dani]

Difficult decision - I liked both. You do immediately think of Colin Firth when you think of Mr Darcy though!

[Linda]

I hated the movie the first time I saw it; since then I don't mind it so much, but there were some things about it that were just too hard to take: Lady Catherine would never have come calling in the middle of the night, no matter how incensed she was!
But really, I didn't see the point of spending all that money of making a movie when we already had an unmatchable series available.

[Bu]

The 1995 series, no doubt!
The film was lacking in truth to the original, their characters were weakly portrayed or straight mis-cast!

[SpookySoto]

Erik wrote: "The 2005 movie was horrible, if you're looking for something faithful to the book. The BBC miniseries is by far the best version. It may even be one of the best translations of any book to film eve..."

I agree 100% with you! The movie is not good, the mini serie is wonderful

[Sandy]

The 1995 miniseries:
Is it necessary to make Mr. Collins so disgusting?
Why was Miss Bingley like a she-male??
Why was Lady Catherine like a frog?
Why wasn’t Mr. Wickham handsome, while Collonel Fitwilliam was sort of handsome?

[Pam]

I love Colin Firth. He is my dream man.

[Regina]

Sorry, but I think people are over romanticising the movie, and I also think many of you have strong bias, either because you guys love Colin Firth or because you profoundly dislike Keira Knightly.This is not to say that your opinion is not valid, but I think many of the opinions here are extreme.

I prefer the movie.The movie condensed things very well while the series took longer and they were not better. I felt that in the movie, the characters were real, more faithful to the characters as they were protrayed in the book! Keira Knightley is, to me, the best Lizzy, in fact, Jennifer Ehle did not convince me at all as Lizzy! One of the reasons is because Ehle's Elizabeth Bennett lacks passion and wittiness! Also, Rosemund Pike's Jane is far superior to Susannah Harker's! Harker's one was quite unatractive (and I am not necessarily talking about her looks, but the whole character).

Personally, I didn't like Colin Firth's Mister Darcy as much as I liked Matthew MacFadyen's; I can, however, understand that some of you prefer the BBC series, but to say that Keira was not a good Lizzy! C'mon, I mean, you should read the book again, really! Even if you liked Ehle's performance more than Keira's, saying that Keira's performance was bad is truly unfair.

In fact, if you go to other forums that disscuss Pride and Prejudice-outside Goodreads- in more depth you will find much more diversity of opinions about the movie. Less biased comments, indeed.

[Sandy]

Regina wrote: "Sorry, but I think people are over romanticising the movie, and I also think many of you have strong bias, either because you guys love Colin Firth or because you profoundly dislike Keira Knightly...."

Totally agree.
I have been confused why they said Jennifer Ehle was the perfect Elizabeth. She didn't look witty at all. As I said she even didn't know how to kiss Collin Firth, I cannot imagine a girl smiled when kissing her man, where was the chemistry and the passion?
Also, Collin Firth and Jennifer Ehle's falling in love doesn't mean anything, just like their separation later on doesn't mean anything.

[Sandy]

That's the man's comment I have been waiting for!
To be honest, if I were a man, I wouldn't fall in love with her.

[Library Nymph]

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..."


I'd have to say the movie. When I saw the BBC version, I was a little disappointed. The way Colin Firth played Darcy I felt like I was just watching Colin Firth walk around dressed in Regency duds. I didn't get lost in the BBC series like I got lost in the movie. To me, in the BBC version, it never seemed like Darcy's ram-rod dislike ever completely melted into love. Macfadyen definitely got the "I'm now hopelessly in love" thing down. Just my opinion, though, as I see lots I people like the Firth Darcy.

[Library Nymph]

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 ..."

I agree with the term "stiff". It does fit well. :) And I also loved the way Judi Dench played Lady Catherine--she played the role of self-important bitch very well. And I like who played Mr. Collins in the movie (I don't know the actor's name) he is what I saw in my head when I read the book.

[Denise]

The BBC version is the definitive film version. Colin Firth was perfect as Darcy and I too, preferred Jennifer Ehle over Keira Knightly. I also think the production staff was superior on the BBC version, having thoroughly researched the types of homes each character would live in and the costuming. The BBC version is also much truer to the original story.

[L.D.B.]

Colin Firth of course. I don't understand why they bothered to remake it. The BBC production was perfect.

[Nicholas]

The BBC series, no contest.

Movie makers should just accept that once a BBC series has been made, all they can produce is an inferior telling of the tale.

'Brideshead Revisited', 'Vanity Fair', P&P - the list goes on.

[Sandy]

FYI.

http://completeandunabridged.blogspot...

[Christine]

I think there is no arguement on this, the 1995 series is clearly the winner :)

In the BBC series, both the main characters are percisely potrait (Colin Firth was the best Mr.Darcy ever) and the settings were beautiful.

In the 2005 movie, the characters are not fully represented and there is not enough time for for every event in the plot. But I must admit that there is so much CHEMISTRY going on in this version.

Love both <3

[Sheila]

Definitely the BBC series, although I own both. Keira Knightley was also wrongly caste. Not an Elizabeth Bennett at all. Jennifer Ehle was much more suitable for the part.

[Krista]

Matthew Macfadyen is Darcy for me. See, I always thought Darcy in the books was socially inept and could just hid behind his wealth to cover all manner of bad manners. I loved the shy, awkwardness of Macfadyen.

However, Jennifer Ehle's LIzzy would have slapped Macfadyen's Darcy and told him to stop being so bloody shy. So, there's that ;)

[Joanne]

The series - quite definitive.

[Alma]

In my mind, Jennifer Ehle is the best Lizzie, but I much prefer the Jane of the 2005 movie. Other characters also were better in the movie than in the series, but the main characters will always be Ehle and Firth as Elizabeth and Darcy, hands down. Yes, I must agree, the whole sexual tension and pretty cinematography appealed a bit, but after watching it repeatedly, it gets tiresome. The series is better in that regard also, ie. less refined, but repeatedly watchable. And, someone mentioned Lizzie was better as the spoiled brat portrayed by Knightley, to which I reply, you might as well watch Emma for brattiness. What I liked about the character of Lizzie was that she was more level-headed, yet still prone to mistakes, but she wasn't crassly rude, as Knightley had her. Ehle's Lizzie could be upfront, but still classy. I liked that, especially as it differentiated her from Lydia.

[Sahar]

The movie, the movie all the way. I LOVE Matthew McFadyen as Darcy, his voice is just...oh my god. (He does a...sort of audio chapter of Pride and Prejudice, and it is just gorgeous! And I think he voiced some sort of ice cream/chocolate ad) And Keira was an awesome Lizzie. The whole thing was just...*faint* I could watch the clips from it on youtube all day long. :D

[Joyce]

The 1995 BBC series is by far the best and is very true to the book. The movie aggravated me mainly because they gutted my favorite part -- when Lizzie visits Pemberley and runs into Darcy (and not just the wet shirt part). I absolutely hated what they did with that scene in the movie. I feel that the movie imparted too much modern sensibility to the characters and that they really would not have acted that way in the early 1800's (i.e. wandering the grounds in their nightclothes).

[Jodi]

Colin Firth, not question. To me, he IS Mr. Darcy.

[Raquel]

BBC Miniseries, hands down. Colin Firth was perfect as Darcy.

[Rosalba]

Joyce wrote: "The 1995 BBC series is by far the best and is very true to the book. The movie aggravated me mainly because they gutted my favorite part -- when Lizzie visits Pemberley and runs into Darcy (and not..."

Exactly. No respectable British of the time would have done such a thing! Not only did McFayden's Mr. Darcy proposed again in his nightclothes, he actually went into the house and spoke to Mr. Bennet!
Not to mention that I thought it highly improbable that a shy man like Mr. Darcy would have statues of naked men and women in his house on display, even for artistic purposes.

[Tracey]

I prefer Matthew as Mr Darcy and also Keira as Lizzy. Jennifer Ehle is way too old to be lizzy. I do love Colin Firth but I don't think anyone could past Matthew I just love his voice.

[Sahiba]

Oh, the series, definitely, without a doubt.

[Tom]

Okay, I'll wade into this one ... I think it's safe to write that I have every (major) filmed version of this wonderful novel,from Ms. Garson's to Ms. Garvie's, to Ms. Knightley's...or at least those versions meant to be based directly upon the text of the novel. While that last leg of the last line might exclude the Garson/Olivier movie, for those in the know...it is one of my more guilty pleasures. I cannot deny it. But,per the discussion, the 1995 BBC Ehle/Firth version is the best, hands down... Ms.Ehle carries the strength of Ms.B.forward,in each scene, whether outraged or remorseful, and Mr. Firth has the various psychological faces of Mr.D down, pat...gloomy, tongue-tied, worldly, vulnerable...

[Karina]

Hello people, i think Colin Firth is the perfect Mr Darcy. In a Serie or another relative movie.

[Pamela]

I liked the series better.

[Rach]

Definitely the series. I felt that the BBC was much more faithful to Austen's characters and to the time period. And let's face it, you just can't get a more perfect Darcy than Colin Firth.

Whereas I found the movie painful to watch. The set/wardrobe ect. was well done but Knightly killed Lizzy for me! She was nothing like Austen's Elisabeth. It was a real disappointment.

[Asy]

I prefer the series, it threshed out the book beautifully.

[Emma]

I enjoyed the film a lot, but fell in love with the series. I found it hard not to as, due to it being a longer version, it had more depth and detail to it than the film. I definitely prefered the casting in the series rather than the film, though for the length of the film I thought it did a good job in the time given. (An excellent one considering I not long ago rewatched the old american film!) There were some things in the film that I felt were a bit to modern and didnt quite fit in with the setting, so definitely the series for me!

[Jane]

Emma wrote: "I enjoyed the film a lot, but fell in love with the series. I found it hard not to as, due to it being a longer version, it had more depth and detail to it than the film. I definitely prefered the ..."

I think that's a reason everyone loves the series. Its more detailed and goes more with the book. I think my favorite part of the 2005 is Matthew Macfadyen. I loved his face expressions during the movie..

[Candice]

I'm going to be honest here---I have seen the movie about 30 times. I just love the story so much and the filming was beautifully done. That being said, Colin Firth will always be Mr. Darcy to me. If I had to vote, it would be for the series. Of course, the series had the advantage of time to play out the characters and progress the story smoothly.

[Jennifer]

Colin Firth IS Mr.Darcy-definitely prefer the series!

[Sandy]

This discussion itself reminds me of the novel's original title: First Impressions.
Most of the people who watched the series first think Colin Firth IS Mr. Darcy, while most of the people who watched the movie first simply don't like Jennifer Ehle's version of Elizabeth.

[Anna]

I think the BBC did an infinitely better job of putting this book on screen than whoever is responsible for the (awful) 2005 version.

[Ani]

Philip wrote: "You're all being rotten on the film. Period grittiness lifts it above the ordinary, and most of the acting is spot on.
Keira Knightley's Elizabeth has that typical English combination of clever, sp..."

I heartily agree! Colin Firth is one of my favorite gentlemen in the world, but the BBC version is just bumbling fluff...and that Elizabeth, I almost vomited when I heard the actress say she'd read the book a hundred times. I thought surely that she thought she was just playing Snow White.

[Jessica]

Definitely the BBC Series. I feel it remained the most true to the book, plus, Colin Firth was the perfect Mr. Darcy.

[Child of Ilúvatar]

I honestly cannot choose. Which I prefer to watch on any given day entirely depends on my mood (and the time I have at my disposal). They both have merits. I think both the series and the film were written well and cast well - and the series might be a bit more faithful to the book (it has the time to be!) but I really enjoy the cinematography of the film and the MUSIC. Oh, the music. >.<

[Leslie]

Colin Firth!

[Bethany]

Personally I loved the 2005 movie....firstly because I don't find Colin Firth attractive (sorry) and secondly because i think that Macfadyen and Knightly had a lot more on screen chemistry.I thought that Jennifer Ehle showed no emotion and didn't connect with the character. This is just my opinion though, I know many people feel differently and I respect that.

[Keri]

I saw the 2005 movie first and hadn't read the book before the movie so I have always been partial to the movie and avoided watching the series for many years because I didn't think I would like it. I recently watched the series and my initial reaction was a bit of reluctance but I started to get into it and ended up really enjoying it. My husband started watching it mid-way though and got into it as well which should speak something for it because to him that type of movie is a "chick flick" which should be avoided at all costs. I have to say that I wasn't crazy about some of the actors chosen for the series such as Jane, Wickham, Mr. Bingley and Caroline but mainly Jane and Wickham. Jane is suppose to be this great beauty and the actress chosen to play her in the series just wasn't and I had a hard time seeing her as Jane. Wickham just looked much too old and didn't fit Austen's description of him. Though I agree that Jennifer Ehle was a much better Elizabeth than Keira Knightly, I can't say that I disliked either Darcy. I thought they were both great in a different way. So I guess I preferred some of the actor choices for the movie over the series which could simply stem from seeing the movie first, but everything considered, I think I would now have to choose the series over the movie.