The Best Movie Adaptation of one of the Finest Novels Ever Written

When I watch a movie adaptation of one of my favorite novels I have high expectations. When the novel in question is my favorite ever written, I expect perfection. Too many times I'm left perplexed as to why a director feels that changing a classic that's loved by so many will somehow make it better. Often, as in the case of "Wuthering Heights," the lack of emotion in a movie leads me to believe that not a single person who actually loves or even understands the original book was ever consulted during the planning and filming. This movie proves that a true adaptation of a classic is possible.

Jane Austen's masterpiece, "Pride and Prejudice," has been put on film a number of times, but this A&E/BBC adaptation is the only one meeting my expectations. I will admit to being rather fanatical about this novel, to the point that I've read it well over ten times and have written college papers on it. This is not a story that can be effectively retold in a short two-hour version, as Jane Austen's strength is in her well-developed characters. Without taking the time to let the viewers get to know each character, the movie falls apart, leaving only a cute little romantic comedy that will be quickly forgotten. For some, a six-hour runtime may be a turn-off, but as this is a mini-series, there are convenient breaks throughout. In my case, whenever I set out to watch just one episode, I find myself still in front of the television well after midnight.

When watching this movie I get the feeling that the producers actually care about the book. Attention is given to ensuring that all details are as historically accurate as possible. The novel itself, instead of being seen as a starting point from which to build a movie, is treated as a guide to the actual movie. The characters, being of primary importance in the novel itself, as given special consideration. The casting is superb, starting with Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth). While watching him, I can well believe that this is a very rich man who, although considering himself to be naturally above those he sees as his inferiors, is driven by a strong sense of morals. His reserved nature makes him appear cold and insensitive, but as his character develops we see that this is not the case.

Jennifer Ehle, as Elizabeth Bennet, portrays that sparkling wit, subtle humor, determination and dignity in the face of humiliation that I admire in her character in the novel. Mr. Darcy, although not originally considering her "handsome enough to tempt" him, soon finds himself captivated by her perspicacity.

There could have been no better actor to play Mr. Collins than David Bamber. I have lost count long ago of how many times I've watched this movie, but I still laugh every time I watch him in this role. This stuffy little man with a highly exaggerated sense of self-importance flaunts an advantage which in his mind must make him superior to all: a connection with the Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Ever careful that no one should be left in ignorance of his greatness, he annoys all around him by finding a way to throw her name into every conversation. He annoys everyone, that is, with the exception of Mrs. Bennett (Alison Steadman), who is determined to see him married to one of her daughters. Alison Steadman's interpretation of Mrs. Bennett leaves me splitting my sides with laughter. She is in every way Elizabeth Bennett's opposite. Silly, ignorant and tacky, her screeching voice (usually occupied by gossip) is an ever-present source of humiliation to Elizabeth. Entirely void of a sense of propriety, she boasts openly about any attention her daughters receive from rich men.

Elizabeth is not alone in her misery, as it is shared by her sister, Jane (Susannah Harker). The one complaint I have about the casting is that, according to the story, Jane is supposed to be a renowned beauty. However, when watching the movie, the viewer is perplexed as to why anyone would prefer Jane over Elizabeth.

After this adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" was made, I cannot understand why anyone would attempt to make another, since all future versions will suffer by comparison. I have watched the newer version, but it cannot begin to compete. The characters in the newer movie are not well-developed or well-cast and huge changes have been made to the plot. I set out hoping to like the new version as well, as I feel that anything that would interest more people in Jane Austen's novels would be a good thing. Since it is a shorter version I was hoping it would attract an audience that would not watch the six-hour version. However, I don't think the shorter version will accomplish this, as it fails to portray Jane Austen's strength, which is in her highly-developed characters.

Cast:
David Bamber - Mr. Collins
Roger Barclay - Capt. Carter
David Bark-Jones - Lt. Denny
Sam Beazley - Vicar
Christopher Benjamin - Sir William Lucas
Crispin Bonham-Carter - Mr. Charles Bingley
Lucy Briers - Mary Bennet
Anthony Calf - Col. Fitzwilliam
Jacob Casselden - Robert Gardiner
Nadia Chambers - Miss Anne de Bourgh
Anna Chancellor - Miss Caroline Bingley
Joanna David - Mrs. Gardiner
Lucy Davis - Maria Lucas
Harriet Eastcott - Mrs. Jenkinson
Jennifer Ehle - Miss Elizabeth Bennet
Julian Erleigh - William Gardiner
Lynn Farleigh - Mrs. Phillips
Colin Firth - Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy
Marie-Louise Flamank - Kate Gardiner
Emilia Fox - Georgiana Darcy
Andrew Grainger - Ostler
Victoria Hamilton - Mrs. Forster
Susannah Harker - Miss Jane Bennet
Roy Holder - Hodge
Alexandra Howerd - Mary King
Natasha Isaacs - Alice Gardiner
Sarah Legg - Hannah
Barbara Leigh-Hunt - Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Adrian Lukis - Mr. George Wickham
Polly Maberly - Kitty Bennet
Paul Moriarty - Col. Forster
Peter Needham - Fencing master
Kate O'Malley - Sarah
Neville Phillips - Fossett
Lucy Robinson - Mrs. Hurst
Julia Sawalha - Lydia Bennet
Lucy Scott - Charlotte Lucas
Marlene Sidaway - Hill
Christopher Staines - Lt. Sanderson
Alison Steadman - Mrs. Bennet
Norma Streader - Lady Lucas
Annabel Taylor - Maggie
Bridget Turner - Mrs. Reynolds
Rupert Vansittart - Mr. Hurst
Lee Walters - Waiter
Tom Ward - Lt. Chamberlayne
Benjamin Whitrow - Mr. Bennet
Tim Wylton - Mr. Gardiner

Director: Simon Langton

Written by: Andrew Davies

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