The following reviews contain spoilers for media that ranges from nearly two decades old to twenty-one decades old.
The week of my thirteenth birthday, I watched Pride and Prejudice (dir. Joe Wright, 2005) for the first time. I was with my best friends, and we were celebrating someone else’s birthday in a cabin a few miles east of Dollywood. I’d read the novel by Jane Austen the previous summer, but the meaning did not sink in until I saw Mr. Darcy flex his hand after helping Lizzy into her carriage. That, I fear, is romance.
I have watched that movie countless times in the past decade, and each time my friends and I fall silent at the proposal scenes, watching with bated breath as Mr. Darcy confesses his love over and over, the perfect leading man.
This January, I had the pleasure of gathering with some friends on a bitterly cold, dark evening to watch the BBC’s miniseries Pride and Prejudice (ad. Andrew Davies, 1995). I heard from many that this is a more book-accurate version and preferred by “true” Austen fans. I also heard whisperings about a lake scene, which seemed to be more of a draw than anything. “It’s this version’s hand flex scene,” they said. I was not convinced, but I felt strongly that my defense of the 2005 version would be more airtight if I’d seen both versions.
Immediately, the score struck me—beautiful, ethereal. Then in the next second, Mr. Bennet is more mean-spirited, more insulting than that of the 2005 version, who is warm and witty and teasing. On the flip side, Mrs. Bennet is more over the top than ever before. As are Kitty and Lydia—both to the point that I was covering my face with my hands to protect myself from the secondhand embarrassment. Mr. Collins was leagues creepier than the Mr. Collins of the 2005 version. Mr. Bingley is still all grace and defense of Jane and Lizzie in the face of his truly wicked sisters, although Mr. Hurst’s inclusion did add additional comedic relief.
I particularly enjoyed seeing Mr. Darcy’s perspective—the 2005 version is told almost entirely from Lizzie’s perspective, so I enjoyed seeing more obvious moments of Mr. Darcy’s wholehearted yearning for Lizzie, without her knowledge. Each fight between Mr. Darcy and Lizzie was electric and there was no denying their chemistry. This makes their final reconciliation and union so much more satisfying. The proposals, the confessions, the effusive love, all had me on the edge of my seat, hands over my heart, sighing.
I can’t get away with finishing this review without addressing the damp Colin Firth scene. I get it. I understand it. I am a woman, after all. I knew it was coming, but still let out an audible gasp at Lizzie surprising a soaking wet, minimally clothed Darcy. The following dialogue, however, is not as suffused with romantic tension as its mirror in the 2005 version. There is something so fulfilling about seeing Mr. Darcy smile for the first time in the whole piece.
I am usually the first person to argue for a miniseries adaptation of books rather than a movie. And while there are details lost in translation when a book is made into a piece of new media, there are new layers media can provide, like the lake scene or the hand flex scene.
It’s important to remember that these are adaptations, not the novel itself. The novel stands alone as an excellent narrative with few equals. The 1995 miniseries is an accurate and admirable retelling of that narrative, with over-the-top characters and historically accurate language, costuming, and dancing. The 2005 version is an adaptation that, while taking some liberties, is at its heart a romantic comedy full of silly characters, pining deeper than others of its kind, and a conclusion that set women’s expectations for men far out of whack.
So, in my definitive, truly objective view, each piece of Pride and Prejudice art has its time and place, and both the miniseries and movie are enjoyable for anyone who loves the novel. And don’t even get me started on the 1940 film adaptation.
Carlisle Patete (‘22) came to Calvin University from the mountains of North Carolina and graduated with a double major in film & media and creative writing. After brief stints in Los Angeles and Chicago, she now resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she enjoys sweet tea on her front porch and identifying every tree and bird she runs into on any hiking trail.
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Books always bring us joy in some way .. there is always some sense if acheivement each time you turn a page .. l was always clever in my reading .. would read the last page before the first page .. then no surprises!
I would love to see you take this further as a true Austen aficionado and add the Bollywood version Bride and Prejudice and then the over the top Austenland. Both are fabulous but you can’t watch either without watching and loving the BBC miniseries first.