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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Anita
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 25, 2013 04:25PM
Many decades ago after first reading P and P I made a point of reading it annually. I did so for a good number of years. Each year I learned and appreciated something new, maybe I too need to do the same with the BBC series. I must get myself the DVD.
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Definitely the BBC series! Perfect casting, perfect imagery and production. Years of research went into getting everything just right for the period - there is a book on how it was put together - even the wallpaper and fabric of the cast's clothes was especially created for the series. WONDERFUL!!!
That book I must read. I always appreciate authentically put together productions. The best example being "The Return of Martin Guere."
I liked some of the series, but prefer the movie....I foumd the sets for the series so sterile looking, and some of the acting boardered on english christmas panto style.....and as much as I like Firth and Ehle, I really could never see any chemistry between them...and I adored Judy Dench, she was so wonderfully rude!!
Susan wrote: "The 2005 movie was pretty to look at, and there might have been a bit more authenticity in the dirt, but that's all that redeems it. If one is looking for a good adaptation of P & P, the 2005 movi..."I felt the same way. And speaking of giving lines to characters who didn't say them in the book, how about Lydia whispering that "Darcy did everything for the wedding and that was all" to Lizzy at the dinner table? Where was the warmth from Aunt Gardiner? Nowhere! That's where. So cut and dried. As if it didn't mean anything. One of my complaints for the 2005 version.
The 1995 version was much better. Pride and Prejuidce is my favorite book, so when I watch Pride and Prejudice, I want to watch my favorite book played out on the screen. And the 1995 version did just that.
Mara wrote: "Matthew MacFayden, I think, did a good job portraying Darcy's extremely quiet side, but that's like the ONLY side of Darcy he ever showed. You can see the gradual changes in Mr. Darcy with Colin Fi..."Another complaint about 2005 version: Darcy didn't change. He WAS always quiet. Not saying that MacFayden is a bad actor. He's just not right for Darcy.
Vanessa wrote: "The movie is a great introduction to Pride and Prejudice, very apt for modern audiences. And after you view the film, you fall in love with Elizabeth's wit and Darcy's character (and, I must say, M..."Very true.
The one with Colin Firth FOR SURE! :D
Colin Firth version is the best.......i love BBC series..!!!!!!!
First, I think the series was an A&E production. Second, the series was far, far superior. It was extremely true to the novel. The screen play was almost word for word from the novel. The movie was written for the masses.
It's definitely a BBC series, A&E purchased it. That said, the series is far superior.
I could watch it over and over again.
Strangely enough, when it comes to Emma, I prefer the Gwyneth Paltrow movie version.
The BBC did a terrific version of Emm which I would highly recommend. I have to say I never liked the Gwyneth Paltrow version and, in fact, disliked her acting so much in it that it took a while for her to grow on me.
Euraylie, thank you for correcting me. I liked Gwyneth's "Emma" and was surprised at how well she did.
Sandy wrote: "Toni wrote: "Mary, have you ever seen the BBC version made in 1979? I own both BBC versions as well as the movie. I've seen all three multiple times and like them all for different reasons, the 197..."Now that is a new one to me, I had better search for the 1979 movie version.
Anita, the 1979 version was done for television and, if forced to make a choice it's my favorite. You'll notice that most everyone on this thread comments on Colin Firth and he's wonderful. The 1979 version has a very different Darcy, but I have to say that all of the characters in that version seem to jump straight out of the novel and when I reread the novel (as I just did again, recently), that's the version I picture.
Toni wrote: "Anita, the 1979 version was done for television and, if forced to make a choice it's my favorite. You'll notice that most everyone on this thread comments on Colin Firth and he's wonderful. The 197..."Anita, was the 1979 version the first one you eveery seen?
The 1979 version was the first TV version I ever saw where they were able to really do the entire novel which is something a movie can't do.
BBC one,no competition! Having said that i liked parts of the 2005 film.I thought Charlotte was cast better in the film,i never got that Lizzie would be friends with the Charlotte from BBC adaptation.
Toni wrote: "Anita, the 1979 version was done for television and, if forced to make a choice it's my favorite. You'll notice that most everyone on this thread comments on Colin Firth and he's wonderful. The 197..."My first search for the 1979 version came up blank. But I will keep up the search. Thanks for the heads up
Definitely the BBC series with Colin Firth!! - not just because of that lake scene. Jennifer Ehle also nailed Elizabeth Bennet; overall the series was very faithful to the book.
The 2005 version had it's good moments but the version that I personally prefer is the 1995 adaptation with Colin Firth **sigh** He did an amazing job portraying Mr. Darcy!!!! The rest of the cast did a great job as well. Don't get me wrong, if you want to see the 'quick' version of Pride and Prejudice then the 2005 version is the choice but if you want to really get lost in the wonderful story Jane Austen wrote, the 1995 version is the one to watch!! Plus every time I re-read Pride and Prejudice the cast of the 1995 version are always the one I think of!!!! Love the Colin Firth version!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Anita, this is the link on Amazon to the TV series I'm talking about.
ahref=http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice...
ahref=http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice...
This must be a rhetorical question. Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy.
Elaine wrote: "This must be a rhetorical question. Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy."Yes, a very romantic one.
Firth & Ehle, hands down.
Toni wrote: "Anita, this is the link on Amazon to the TV series I'm talking about. ahref=http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice......"
Thank you so much Toni. I have it now in my cart. My search, for a 1979 version brought forth the photo of one and " no longer available.". I must post that link and find out what that one was about.
Harini wrote: "Definitely the BBC series with Colin Firth!! - not just because of that lake scene. Jennifer Ehle also nailed Elizabeth Bennet; overall the series was very faithful to the book."I wonder what Jane would think about the lake scene with Colin Firth.
Anita wrote: "Toni wrote: "Anita, this is the link on Amazon to the TV series I'm talking about.
ahref=http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice......"
Anita, Looking forward to hearing what you think of that version. I'm betting you love it.
ahref=http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice......"
Anita, Looking forward to hearing what you think of that version. I'm betting you love it.
Colin Firth, hands down! Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFayden did not really suit the characters of Lizzie and Darcy. Actually, everything in that movie was just so...glossy. BBC version was better.
Sandy wrote: "Flora wrote: "1995, Colin Firth, no ifs ands or buts!"Reasons please? Or no reasons! :p"
wet, cravat-less, breathless Darcy....drool.
I have seen the 1979 BBC version: to me the actor playing Darcy was too stiff and lacked personality.
In my opinion, he is Jane Austen's Darcy, as she created him in the novel. I love Colin Firth. He's a terrific actor and he does a terrific job with his interpretation of Darcy, but frankly, Jane Austen never created a "smoldering" character and would NEVER have a character take their clothes off and jump in a pond.
The question is: who was the best Darcy? The question is not: which version sticks closest to the novel. The fact that Firth had to swim in a pond does not mean the rest of his portrayal of the character is flawed. I think Jane Austen did create a smoldering character. One of my favourite scenes in the book (which I read over and over again!) is the first proposal scene. Darcy is full of pent-up emotions (smoldering, if you will) in that scene. I think Jane would be totally enchanted with Firth as Darcy and somewhat disappointed in the one in the 1979 version.
I respectfully disagree, Elaine. All of the characters in the 1979 version are far more true to the novel and create a far better overall production; Elizabeth, Darcy, Collins and so on. They're all better though I appreciate the Firth version precisely for its smoldering effect.
Actually, Toni, we don't entirely disagree. I do agree with you that the 1979 version was more true to the novel than the later BBC version; however, being more true to the novel doesn't make it more enjoyable. I saw the 1979 version first, and liked it very much but even then, when I hadn't seen Firth's version of Darcy, I wasn't overly impressed with the actor who played Darcy. There was something missing in his portrayal. When I saw the later BBC series I was completely enthralled with Firth and with the actors playing the other characters. For me, it was a much better production in terms of acting and cinematography. Having said that, there are a few scenes in the later BBC series I thought should not have been added.
I prefer the BBC series with Colin Firth, one of my fav actors, over the 2005 movie. I felt it better represented the Bennet's and their home. I like Matthew MacFadyen in the 2005 movie. However, Keira Knightley, was a terrible pick for Lizzie.
Colin Firth is the only Mr. Darcy. There is no other. And No one can replace Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth. They were all just to awesome!
BBC Colin Firth is considered 'the Gold Standard' for P&P and I'd have to agree. Our local chapter of the Jane Austen Society in Kansas City has been watching all movie versions of P&P including the 1940 version with Laurence Olivier, Ann Rutherford and Greer Garson; 1980 Starring Desmond Adams, Edward Arthur and Osmund Bullock; 2004 Starring Kam Heskin, Orlando Seale, Lucila Sola and Ben Gourley; 2005 Bride and Prejudice Starring Naveen Andrews, Anupam Kher, Indira Varma and Alexis Bledel; and yes of course the two battling it out in your query, Kiera Knightly vs. Colin Firth.
Marilyn wrote: "BBC Colin Firth is considered 'the Gold Standard' for P&P and I'd have to agree. Our local chapter of the Jane Austen Society in Kansas City has been watching all movie versions of P&P including t..."Did you take a vote?
Series and Colin Firth definitely. I think he has immortalized Darcy's character. The film was rubbish by the way.
I love Colin Firth, I love the sexy Lake scenes, I love Crispin Bonham-Carter as Bingley, i love the scenery, I love the screenplay - one could say I love the BBC miniseries best. Especially as I have not seen the 2005 film version - I would just like to draw everyone's attention to Mrs Bennet (played by Allyson Eeles I think). She is so amazing as the mother of those crazy girls, I could not imagine anyone doing a better job of that role, even though (or because) she is so annoying! I just yell at the TV screen when she comes on!
BBC version. Pride and Prejudice is a comedy, not a drama. The BBC version treats this wonderful story in the correct manner. Love P&P and the BBC version is the truest telling I've ever seen.
Of course, the version with Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson (sp?) is really good, too. However, that version is so inaccurate and they moved up the timeline significantly. But Olivier's Darcy does rival Firth's, I'm just sayin'. ;)
Of course, the version with Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson (sp?) is really good, too. However, that version is so inaccurate and they moved up the timeline significantly. But Olivier's Darcy does rival Firth's, I'm just sayin'. ;)
David Rintoul is my Darcy.
Anglia, I agree with you. David Rintoul is Jane Austen's Darcy. He is the novel's character come alive.
Definitely the BBC version. I liked very few of the actors in the 2005 version. Darcy and Elizabeth were just all wrong for many, many reasons. They made Bingley look like a silly fool. I thought Donald Sutherland was horrible, he lacked the liveliness and sparkle of humor in his eyes that Mr. Bennett had. I also hated how they did the first proposal scene. It seemed so unlike the novel version, which is one of the most well known and loved parts of the novel. I also hated the Hollywoodized ending. What woman of that era would go out walking in the early morning in her nightgown? I also thought the BBC version was much more true to novel. I realize that a two hour long movie has time constraints that cause issues, but they wasted time on pointless stuff like Elizabeth staring at herself.I thought the BBC version had near perfect casting. At that time they often had to hide their emotions out of a sense of propriety. So the actors had to convey their feelings with looks, not words and actions. You can see the repressed emotion in Darcy's eyes as he fights between doing his “duty” and loving Elizabeth. He just oozes love when he looks at her. His annoyance at Miss Bingley and even his aunt is also evident. Jennifer Ehle is also perfect at conveying emotion with her eyes. You can see in her eyes her mortification at the behavior of her family, her amusement at Mr. Collins ridiculousness, and the flash of anger in her eyes when Miss Bingley “advises” her about Wickham. And in the end you can see her admiration for Darcy, all written in her eyes. I also thought Firth and Ehle had great chemistry (I believe they were dating at the time), something I just didn't see between Mcfayden and Knightly. I thought the rest of the cast was fantastic as well. The actress who played Lydia is so talented. Watch her in Lark Rise to Candleford, it is interesting to compare the two roles.
OMG - why is this even a topic??!!THE SERIES.
The BBC are wonderful at this sort of thing. The movie is rubbish. The series is so English - nothing hollywood about it unlike the movie.
The series also has great casting. Not only due to Darcy (CF is the ONLY MAN allowed to play him!!!) but Knightly is AWFUL. All the actors in the series are awesome. Additionally, Mr Wickham is brilliant and much more like he should be in the series. I imagined him as a brown haired Hugh Grant foppish type.
I agree fully girl, Colin Firth is the only Mr. Darcy!
Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, not even close. She, especially, was magnificent.
Chelsea wrote: "Definitely the BBC version. I liked very few of the actors in the 2005 version. Darcy and Elizabeth were just all wrong for many, many reasons. They made Bingley look like a silly fool. I thought D..."Exactly. :)
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