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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Marijane
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Feb 16, 2013 06:52AM
Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy! Movie was truncated and I didn't find the leads likible or true to the book.
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The 2005 movie, without a question. I don't think Colin Firth is attractive.
I am in love with the series... I love Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth... she is everything I imagined when I first read the book. Matthew MacFadyen's portrayal was as equally as delicious as Mr Firth's but Mr Darcy is lush in most series I've seen him in.
I also loved that the series was true to the book. I feel like movies miss way too much.
Colin Firth, no question
neither. What I like about the book is something that both films completely missed.
So I just saw the first page of this discussion and it is BBC series all the way and I am wondering why I have never seen it before. I loved the 2005 movie and have my own to watch whenever, but I am going to check out the series:)
The series. Most of my friends that loved the movie had never read the book, so I guess for them it was the novelty factor. I think the movie should have a "loosely based on the Jane Austen novel" warning.Have to add that I loved this comment:
message 303: by 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.
Colin Firth,of cousre......................
The BBC series was clearly based on a novel by Jane Austen. The recent film apparently was based on a version of Pride and Prejudice by Emily Bronte.
Liviana wrote: "neither. What I like about the book is something that both films completely missed."Sad but true.
Zrinka wrote: "The series. Most of my friends that loved the movie had never read the book, so I guess for them it was the novelty factor. I think the movie should have a "loosely based on the Jane Austen novel" ..."Thanks Zrinka. :)
Gilbert wrote: The BBC series was clearly based on a novel by Jane Austen. The recent film apparently was based on a version of Pride and Prejudice by Emily Bronte.Are you sure about that?
I love both. I prefer Matthew than Colin as my dear Mr Darcy. Colin is an excellent actor, but I feel I get the vulnerable Mr Darcy after being denied in Matthew most.And the chemistry between Matthew & Keira is so awesome!
Nurlely wrote: "I love both. I prefer Matthew than Colin as my dear Mr Darcy. Colin is an excellent actor, but I feel I get the vulnerable Mr Darcy after being denied in Matthew most.And the chemistry between Mat..."
I totally agree.
Especially the first proposal scene with Matthew and Keira wins hands down. The one in the BBC series is flat and chemistry free in comparison.
And while I really like Colin Firth as an actor, I'll never understand the "wet shirt" hype. What's the big deal? Also that swim in what looks like a salad bowl ... yuk. His exchange of glances with Jennifer/Lizzie in the Pemberley drawing room is so much hotter.
Colin Firth - no contest
Philip- I was being sarcastic. I meant that the world of the later P&P film was so much more like the world that Heathcliff and Cathy live in than the one Elizabeth and Darcy live in....
Although sometimes if I just want a quick romance, I like watching Keira Knightly, because if I pretend that it isn't supposed to be based on Pride and Prejudice, it is a fantastic movie.
βιβλιοφάγος (a.k.a. Cat) wrote: "Although sometimes if I just want a quick romance, I like watching Keira Knightly, because if I pretend that it isn't supposed to be based on Pride and Prejudice, it is a fantastic movie."It is good. It just isn't in a Jane Austen world.
Gilbert wrote: "βιβλιοφάγος (a.k.a. Cat) wrote: "Although sometimes if I just want a quick romance, I like watching Keira Knightly, because if I pretend that it isn't supposed to be based on Pride and Prejudice, i..."
Nope.
Nope.
Actually, I prefer the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice that aired in the 1970's to both the later BBC version with Colin Firth and the movie.
The BBC series with Colin Firth!! There is NO comparison.
Definitely the series, the only bit that jarred was the scene when Colin Firth came out of the pond, lovely, but would never be in a Jane Austen book.
I watched the BBC miniseries first. It stunned me, everything about it was perfect, and exactly how I imagined it to be. Ever afterward, reading the book I could hear the characters in my head. Personally, I loved how they used so much of the actual dialogue. So for trueness to the book, it wins hands down. Also, with the longer format, it was possible to develop the characters SO much more. Darcy was properly despicable at the beginning, and he took time warming up to Elizabeth, who on her side came off as flighty, and only matured throughout the movie as well. I watched the 2005 movie and promptly hated the characters. It was so short that it couldn't do justice to the story, and some of the development came off as choppy and unrealistic.The time involved in the BBC adaption allowed suspense as well. Will Darcy and Elizabeth ever get together? What will happen to Jane and Bingley? THe realistic flow of time is a necessary part of the story. Often in the 2005 series, the characters seemed to make hasty, impulsive decisions simply because there wasn't enough time.
As for casting, I still think the BBC wins. COLIN FIRTH!!! Seriously though, Jennifer Ehele played Elizabeth much better than Kiera Knightly, who, while pretty and quick witted, came off like Lydia, unprincipled and far too unrealistic for her time period. Jennifer on the other had, often displayed that disapproval of her younger sister's actions and sense of propriety that Elizabeth Bennet had, while still keeping her witty and fun. AND MRS BENNET!!!! The BBC version, I can't express how wonderful she was. She WAS Mrs. Bennet. I can't even remember Mrs. Bennet in the 2005, that's how dull she was. Mr. Bingley also was much better in the 1995 version. Lydia had such a better part in the 1995 version, which is important for the events later. Jane may have been "prettier" in the 2005 version, in a modern sense, but the 1995 version was truer to the times and her character. I think she came off too young in the 2005 version. From what I remember, Mr. Darcy was fairly good in the 2005 version, except for being to unreserved for the time period, inconsistent to the book. Actually, I noticed that about the movie in general. The romance was much mushier and tailored to modern audiences, all waiting for that smoldering kiss in the rain, for the sparkle and flash, instead of the quiet yearning, the lasting strength much better developed in the 1995 version. And as for the Mr. Darcy question, I fail to see why it even is a question. Colin Firth, hands down. The lake (blush), The long looks, the quiet walk, EVERYTHING. Oh, and Wickham? BBC!!!!! He truly is despicable, but you can still see why Lizzie fell :)
So, there are my two cents. Watch both if you have the time, but the 1995 will STICK. I honestly have watched that 6 times or more. It's worth every single second.
I agree I reread the book at least once a yesr & ever since seeibg the bbc version they are the voices I hear when reading
This is the version of Pride and Prejudice that I prefer. I like the Colin Firth production in many ways and I like the movie in many ways, but this longer version does the novel the most justice to my mind. http://www.amazon.ca/Pride-Prejudice-...
Colin Firth, hands down. In the 2005 version, while pleasant to watch and I liked the casting of the characters (exception of Mr. Bennett), they gave lines to characters that weren't theirs. If the script writers of this version had stayed true to the dialogue, I may have felt differently.
While I liked the movie the BBC was by far the best! One of the things I loved about it is the period representation. Kiera is lovely but WAY too skinny for the time era. Women in that time were not stick figures, they had curves. What we have representing beauty today is so very different. Colin made a wonderful Darcy. Gentlemen were stiff and formal. Take the scene where Mr Collins introduces himself to Darcy. That simply was not done and Colin Firth portrayed his astonishment at Mr Collins's audacity superbly.
I liked both these versions, but the best was the 1985 BBC version with Elizabeth Garvie (perfect as Elizabeth Bennet) and David Rintour as Darcy.
Maybe they should just combine the two and have Colin Firth and Kiera Knightly. That would be ideal.
I have to admit that I find the 2005 movie a big tragic. As a huge fan of the novel, I watched it and attempted to re-watch it for I felt I owed it to Jane Austen and the novel. But as soon as I saw Keira Knightly dropped her bottom on the sofa and pulled both her legs up with the subtlety of an elephant I knew I couldn't continue. I'm not an Austen purist and I usually don't nitpick on how true a movie stays to the original book. However, I can't get pass the fact that both main characters Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen are completely wrong for the roles. Keira Knightly is too stunning a girl that there is no way in the world Jane can be ten times more beautiful . I will not hesitate to bet a fortune that if she was born in that period in history, she would be more beautiful and glamorous than all the beauties of the ton combined. With all her beauty, however, it seems to me that Keira Knightly has the grace and manner of Lydia, not Elizabeth. Elizabeth is lively and witty, and maybe sometimes even impertinent, but she is also very proper and graceful. Keira Knightly, unfortunately, is a little too “tomboyish”. I’m sorry, but no matter how I look at Keira Knightly I just can’t imagine her ever being described as “country nobody”. I also don’t believe for a second anybody with a normal vision would take a glance at her, no matter how brief, and say: “She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me.” Her beauty, and the fact that she is a gentleman’s daughter, should buy her into any society in an instant. That’s why she is perfect for the role The Duchess, not Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn.
As for Matthew Macfadyen...I have to first say that I do like him, quite a lot in Little Dorrit (also BBC), but for the life of me I can't imagine how he can ever succeed in a role as a "proud and disagreeable man". Admit it, we all know that Mr. Darcy is a good and honourable man but he is also haughty and very, very proud, or at least the façade he put on should present him as such. No matter how much we modern women love a tender, wounded man, Mr. Darcy in the Regency period is an alpha male through and through. A gentleman, but definitely an alpha male. And Matthew Macfadyen, I'm afraid, is the exact opposite of that. His "arrogant" look only makes him seem blank, a little empty upstairs. I know that anyone following the footsteps of Collin Firth is almost doomed to fail, but I feel sorry for Matthew Macfadyen because he never had a chance and not for the fault of his own. He is simply wrong for the role. So wrong that it’s almost comical.
I think I understand why they casted Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen, other than the fact that Keira Knightly is vastly popular these days. They attempt to modernize the old classic by toning down the placidness of the female and adding a little disheveled look and a lot of gentleness to the male. But in this case, they have changed the fundamentals so drastically that the whole story becomes unrealistic.
In my opinion, the BBC series may not be the best English period drama out there but the leading roles in the 2005 movie are simply too grossly misrepresented to overlook.
Sorry, another note about Mr. Darcy:Actually, I don't think Colin Firth is the perfect Mr. Darcy. Even he is not haughty enough. David Rintoul from the 1980 is probably the closest to the real Mr. Darcy in the novel. That being said...thank you, Colin Firth for accepting the role!
Yes thank Colin Firth for being Darcy,do not know the other version
Definitely the BBC series with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. It was scripted virtually word for word from the book. The level of detail portraying the characters was so much better than the movie & Jennifer Ehle left Keira Knightley for dead as Miss Elizabeth Bennett. I almost thought that the movie with Keira Knightly was a bit of a send up of the original series and the book!
BBC all the way. Hated the film and Keira Knightley was just awful. I agree with the person above who said she was more like Lydia. Way too flirty for sensible Elizabeth. I just couldn't take the movie seriously. I like the subtlety of the BBC version. The love was there, beneath the arrogance Darcy was guilty of, as was Elizabeth's judgmental nature. Seeing them both suffer due to their own flaws as well as the social restrictions of the time Austen was writing in is part of the beauty (and point) of the series.
Unfortunately Keira Knightly came across as a twittering, air-head. Probably what I disliked the most because both Jane and Elizabeth were smart and intelligent, unlike their 3 silly younger sisters! And both were portrayed as smart and well educated in the BBC series.
Marjory wrote: "I watched the BBC miniseries first. It stunned me, everything about it was perfect, and exactly how I imagined it to be. Ever afterward, reading the book I could hear the characters in my head. Per..."Totally agree with you!
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 agree with Philip! The BBC miniseries was fantastic and thorough...but for a quick hitm of P&P - the movie was fantastic! I thought MacFayden was a wonderful Mr. Darcy and I so enjoyed Knighly as Elizabeth.
The BBC version with Colin Firth is the one which follows the book the nearest, dialog and all. Being many hours long it is able to cover all of the details missing in other movies.
I prefer the series generally as it goes more into depth, and is more true to the book. Jennifer Ehle also made an excellent Elizabeth, whereas in the movie adaptation Keira Knightley was not very good. The character of Elizabeth was also less likeable in the movie, as she seemed more grumpy than humourous, and so I found her less likeable than in the book and in the tv series. However,one thing I prefer about the movie, in which I can tell from the above posts many will disagree with, is that I prefer Matthew MacFadyen as Darcy. While COlin Firth was a good Darcy, I thought MacFayden showed a more sensitive side which I really liked. I also loved the proposal scene! SO while the tv series is a better adaptation as it is more true to the book, I also find the movie to be enjoyable to watch
Stéphanie wrote: "i actually really liked Donald Sutherland, he seemed so sweet. and i agree the movie was also very good, keira knightley was the perfect actress for elisabeth in my eyes."Donald Sutherland was my favourite casting choice in the new one.
When I was younger I saw no appeal in Collin Firth but I loved the series for the acting. No character left me in any doubt of why they did what they did. You could literally see Mr. Darcy fall in love. You could understand why Elizabeth did not see it.The new one was an alright movie... If you are not a fan of real Jane Austen style.
I'm not prejudiced against Keira Knigtly. I loved Matthew MacFadyen in Little Dorrit. But neither of them had the time to make an authentic Austen movie...
And Keira's figure may be considered attractive NOW but back then? It was ALL about curves no one could have said she was considered quite a beauty.
They violated so many laws of etiquette and behaviour in general for that era.
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! ..."Agreed!
I really enjoyed both the series and the movie. I thought the series was closer to the actual story, it's my favorite Pride and Prejudice rendition. The movie on it's own, though, I really enjoyed. I like the idea that they made the story more 'mainstream' for a wider audience to be introduced to it and hopefully push them into reading the book and discover the wonders that is Jane Austen!
I like every version of Pride & Prejudice ever made, from Greer Garson & Laurence Olivier to Jennifer Ehle & Colin Firth to Keira Knightley & Matthew McFaydeyn. My favorite Darcy of all is Colin Firth, hands down. (I also loved his Darcy in Bridget Jones' Diary.) But most of all I appreciate Jane Austen's book. The BBC miniseries was extremely faithful to it...I know because I've read and watched both way too many times
I preferred the series because it was more in depth and allowed you to stay with the characters for longer and to really appreciate how they lived and ...Oh ok then, Colin Firth! (fwaarrr)
Absolutely, 100% prefer the new version. I LOVE Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy... My sister and I can recite lines from that film on cue. It was so beautifully filmed, every actor is brilliant, and Keira Knightly is luminous as Elizabeth.
I like the series. I just love to dig in deep to the story and it gives me more time to do that! I love the Mrs. Bennet, she is so nervous and annoyingly perfect. The Keira Knightley movie was just too short and squeezed together with no room to breathe. However, I am the kind of person that reads the book and then watches every available movie adaptation. Each movie can bring something good to the story, so I tend to appreciate qualities in each one.
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