olga-54767
This film is doubtless the best screen version of the best novel by Jane Austen.
The TV series has immediately become classic, and it is not surprising. Its accuracy, taste and style are peerless. This version is ideally balanced with smooth action and amusement, touches of humour and elegance. It revives the atmosphere of the epoch and even more of the book. All the characters in the film shine like diamonds, I honestly believe that they are ideal portraits of the heros, while the background is simply spotless. Sets, costumes and music are perfect, each and every detail is carefully selected and put on its place to create the real picture of the novel.
The novel is the star here, and you can feel every nuance of the plot, some moments are depicted with dramatism and brightness, others are thughtfully deep and touching. I think that this film avoids all the mistakes of modern screen versions by combining genre filming and amazing depiction of characters.
Strong admiration evokes performance of Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, Susannah Harker, Alison Stedman and Benjamin Whitrow, Julia Sawalha, Crispin Bonham-Carter, David Bamber, Lucy Scott and young Emilia Fox.
Fayola Morgan
Watched all six episodes in one sitting. Absolutely loved it! Just as timeless and superb as the beautiful novel from whence it came. So faithful to Jane's text, whilst including believable additions in dialogue and in setting. Fantastic! And Colin Firth's performance! The affection and growing love in his eyes conveyed with no dialogue whatsoever. Ehle's "fine eyes" and witty delivery make her THE Elizabeth Bennet in picture form. Love this to pieces, and will watch it many times, just like I will re-read the book again.
julia2702
Some movies are meant to entertain you for a while and then be gone. Others are like blessings, like good friends – they stay with you throughout your whole life. When the character portrayals are so good, we just can't let go, we want these people to continue to live – at least in our imagination :) That's what happened to me when I saw this series. A long time ago, in my tender youth I became quite obsessed with this production, and funnily, not too much has changed since then.It's just perfect. Purrfect. This magnificent romantic story set in Regency period has everything to engross and bewitch you. Lush-green locations of the English countryside and all these beautiful mansions. Splendid costumes. Fascinating script and dialogue. Wit and humour. Romantic tension and chemistry beyond description. And the story, the story! What an amazing material. I've been meditating a lot on why it has such a strong hold on us, and distilled three points out of all these sighs and raptures:1) It is a story of 2 like-minded beings coming together, which seems a true romance to me. It's not about making compromises, "reality-checks", love which grows out of friendship, etc. A couple meet each other, sparks fly, and you never doubt how they will end up in spite of all the social obstacles.2) Darcy. This is indeed "a man without fault". Well, almost : ) He's handsome, intelligent, powerful, rich, passionate, kind and caring deep- down, not afraid of commitment, etc., etc. Who wouldn't dream of such a hero? 3) Lizzie. Deep, lively, free-spirited woman who knows self-respect. She attracts the guy just by being herself, without any cheap intrigues. All that she represents suddenly becomes a thousand times more valuable than all Pemberley grandeur or strict rules of the stratified society. I simply can't imagine what can be more romantic than that, and the 1995 adaptation brings it to a screen life with such vivid force.The book and the adaptation have become inseparable in my mind, though I adore the latter more, I confess. What is the secret, that "virtual chemical substance" which makes it so addictive? The answer did come when a friend brought me the original DVD from US, which contained a behind- the-scenes feature with interviews of the cast and crew. Andrew Davies, Simon Langton, Sue Birtwistle, Alison Steadman and others shared their thoughts – and there was so much love & passion in their eyes, so much care, so much commitment to what they were doing – that it all became clear.Andrew Davies is a script God. All of the crew were highly professional. The lead actors – Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth - both have stunning looks, deep appealing voices, expressive eyes and acting talent which rises above everything I saw before and after this fantastic series. On the subjects of how good the rest of the cast were I could write a thesis, this page doesn't have enough room. But if I were allowed to shake hands with only one person involved in this, I would choose Sue Birtwistle. It was she who conceived this adaptation in her mind & heart, and her passion for the novel was a magnetic power which brought all these brilliant people together. I give 10 stars reluctantly, because it's such an understatement. This production deserves a hundred.The latest 2005 version, which completely took the soul out of this beloved story, gave me a lot of pain. But perhaps the world needed a superficial popcorn version of Austen greatest work, who knows.. By universal laws, it wouldn't appear if there were no people who could potentially enjoy it - thus calling it into existence :) All I know is that the 1995 production will forever remain an Austen haven for many people who deeply appreciate English culture. It will always be a romance which makes hearts beat faster. It will always be a standard of quality showing how one can breathe true magic into a story recorded on film.One last thing – I just want to express deep gratitude to BBC adaptations like this. I think they bring classic literature closer to us, though they do allow certain liberties. And I feel that somehow, apart from a huge romantic effect, they make us better, kinder, more hopeful and more appreciative of how wonderful life is. Lots of love, P&P 1995, yours truly.
sophieloujane
I have been watching this series for years and I just can't seem to fault it! If you loved Jane Austen's book, Pride and Prejudice you will absolutely love this mini series. They have really done the book justice by creating a six part series as they were able to convey all of the book into the series, which I think works best as if you cut out certain parts of the book it can make it a little confusing.I found that this version compared to the 2005 film (starring Keira Knightley) the characters are all true to the book, especially Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. Benjamin Whitrow is a brilliant Mr Bennet, he really brings the character to life and you can imagine that his disposition within the series is what Jane Austen was trying to portray within the book. I also felt compared to the 2005 version, that this was truer to the events within the book regarding, social class, fashion and general do's and don'ts within society in the late 18th century . It did feel like a period drama whereas the film didn't.If you like adaptions that are word for word to the book, then this is for you!
