Pride and Prejudice

List Price: $19.98 Discount Price: $11.50

Customer Reviews:

I wanted to like this [Posted on 2008-09-20]
I am an avid reader and admirer of Jane Austen and I also love classic hollywood films, so I was really hoping to like this film. With such a cast as Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson, it is a shame they were not offered a better film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice to work with. The faults with this production are too numerous to list entirely; the screenplay, the costumes (Victorian, not Regency)...well, everything. Laurence Olivier would have undoubtedly been an ideal Darcy if he were allowed to actually play Austen's Darcy and not this watered-down Darcy. It is a shame but at least we have the BBC production, which is wonderful. Above all, there's Jane Austen's wonderful novel to enjoy--no production will ever replace it!

Not as True to the Book, but So What? A Great Version! [Posted on 2008-10-07]
I had read on IMDB that this version was not true to the book. I bought it anyway, because I love Pride and Prejudice and have seen several versions.

Having read the book many many times over the years, the times this movie strays from the book are obvious. But, these variances fit well into this version's story line. If you haven't read the book a whole bunch of times, you probably wouldn't even notice because the screenplay is seamless.

The costumes are wrong. It's more anti-bellum than Edwardian. OK. The costumes are just gorgeous--and the mens' costumes are just as elegant (and wrong). The interiors are wonderful-very detailed and have a real quality look to them.

Greer Garson is a tad old for this role. OK. Emma Thompson was even older in Sense and Sensibility (1995) and that movie rocked! Garson is beautiful, and she captures the character of Elizabeth Bennett perfectly. Wry, mischievous facial expressions, pert tone--perfect! Laurence Olivier was a most handsome Darcy, and portrayed that sardonic fellow just as well as Colin Firth.

And, Edna May Oliver is just superb as Lady Catherine De Burgh. What a character. I even like the twist of her character. She was nearly likeable, which is something that cannot be said for any other versions I've seen.

In short, this movie was made at Hollywood's grand movie era, and this movie was made magnificently. Just as entertaining as the other versions. If you must have a movie follow a book exactly to like it, this one may not be for you, but if you're just looking for a grandly performed variation of a classic book, with some good acting and quality photography, you won't miss with this one!

The original version of Pride and Prejudice ... [Posted on 2008-10-09]
I have the Colin Firth and the Matthew Macfadyen versions of the film, so it seemed only fit that I get the original version. I enjoyed the nostalgia of the Sir Laurence Olivier version, but my favorite is the Colin Firth version. As Meg Ryan stated in the movie, You've Got Mail ... "Don't ya just love that Mr. Darcy."

In answer to your question ... yes, I would buy this film again.

Pride & Prejudice [Posted on 2008-10-24]
This is the perfect addition to my library. Watching the old movies is so much fun and sometimes they add a little different slant on things, but this was great! The actresses were not as young as in subsequent productions, but it still made a good movie. Greer Garson is beautiful and Sir Laurence Olivier is brooding enough!

Sorry, I just don't like this film [Posted on 2008-11-08]
Having read the book (one of my favorites), I just can't stomach this film. What really turned me off was the depiction of Lady Catherine. In the book, that character is never reconciled to the marriage of Darcy and Elizabeth. And where did they get the idea for the archery scene? Certainly not from the book. If you haven't read the book, you might find it entertaining; but for anyone who loves the book, this film just doesn't do it justice.

I have the BBC version and the A&E version. I have not seen the version made this century. Of the two that I have, I would say that the A&E version is the most complete. The BBC version is very good but when the story gets to it's climax, it is rushed to completion as if the writer or editor were trying to wrap-up the story quickly due to time constraints. It's disappointing to invest so much time getting to the climax only to have some of the most beautiful scenes and THE most beautiful dialogue of the book chopped up. Neither of the films do the reconciliation scene between Darcy and Elizabeth justice, the BBC version being the least satisfying. But from the point of view of the filmmakers, I can see that they might find it too long. I would recommend reading that scene in the book; it is absolutely beautiful dialogue.

Despite the shortcomings of the BBC version mentioned above, I really like a number of the performances in that version, especially Elizabeth and Mr. Collins. And the apparent age of the actress that portrays Miss Bingly is a better fit in this version. Both versions cast the role of Elizabeth well; I really can't say that one is better than the other, just different.

If I had to choose between the two, I would select the A&E version. But each of the films have strengths that the other does not which is why I have and watch both versions.

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