Pride and Prejudice Comparisons

So I’ve come to the realization that I have not made a post dedicated to one of my all-time favorite stories: Jane Austen’s classic, Pride and Prejudice. How could this have passed me by for so long? I honestly think it is one of the greatest stories ever written. It doesn’t have a lot of action, stupid jokes, sex, or any of that stuff that makes something popular or “good” by today’s standards. It’s a witty commentary on society, not just the era it was written in, but on how humans act around one another anytime. Specifically pride and prejudice. 

You have amazing characters put in interesting situations, specifically a love-hate romance. Wrap it all up in the regency era and bam! Fantastic book. 

I’ve read the book dozens of times and I have also seen several movie/TV adaptions. All of them have had their strengths and weaknesses, but I’ve liked them on some level. So, I’ve compiled a list. Which adaption did what the best? I’ve picked out key elements from the story and then analyzed each adaption, deciding which one had the best for each category.

So here we go...

ELIZABETH

Ashley Clements from The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Our main character. This was super tough to choose. All the Lizzies I’ve seen have been fabulous, but I narrowed it down to Ashley Clements and Jennifer Ehle (from the 1995 mini series). I eventually decided to go with this one because... well, I just think she captured the fun side of Lizzie a lot more. Although the ’95 series does capture Lizzie’s character very well, I think that LBD really shows a lot more of her wit, her silliness, her cynicism, and definitely her prejudice against Darcy. In the 1995 version, you can kind of see her annoyance of Mr. Darcy, but her contempt does not become very clear until the proposal scene (which, in the book, you are fully aware of how much she does not like him). LBD makes you fully aware of her feelings towards Darcy, which is one of the main reasons I picked it.

MR. DARCY

Colin Firth from the 1995 BBC mini-series

The love interest. I think this was sort of an obvious choice. I was trying really hard to be unbiased and to really consider all the other Darcys out there, but of course it had to come back to him. He IS Mr. Darcy. Personally, I don’t think he is the most handsome actor to have played him (not that he's ugly, mind you), but the way he portrays the character is so perfect! He comes off as prideful and stand-offish, but if you look closely, you can actually see him smiling subtly at some things. You realize he’s not so stiff and grumpy like he initially appears, he’s just quiet and shy. That is Mr. Darcy. He's not grumpy and emotionless. He is amused by things, he's witty, he's intelligent, he has emotions. All the other actors don’t manage to capture that quite as well. They always play him as stiff and proud, but don’t portray the awkwardness and subtle wit. 

Then of course, you just have to melt every time he looks at Lizzie. That face! *swoons*

(Then, the unforgettable lake scene. Do I even have to talk about it?)

MR. WICKHAM

Adrian Lukis from the 1995 BBC mini-series

Our antagonist. As I was thinking about this one, I realized that most of the adaptions sort of gloss over him and don’t put a lot of effort into making him believable. I mean, the whole point is for him to appear as a nice, sympathetic guy who you would want to be friends with (in contrast to Mr. Darcy who nobody likes). Almost all the adaptions automatically make him come off as shady. No room for friendship, he suddenly tells Lizzie his sob story and she believes him just like that. Why? What reason does she have to believe a complete stranger? She’s smarter than that.

That is why I chose this version, because it really takes the time to establish Wickham as a nice and trustworthy guy. Even after he’s been exposed as a moocher, womanizer, and gambler, he still waltzes around with that charming smile, ever-so polite. And Adrian Lukis pulls it off. He is able to appear so falsely charming and pleasant. The way he reluctantly tells Lizzie his backstory is perfect. Like, pretending he’s not so bitter about it and actually sounds like he’s at peace with it, like “all is forgiven. I am happy. I’m not manipulating you in any way.”

MR. COLLINS

David Bamber from the 1995 BBC mini-series/ Matt Smith from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

The foil (def: opposite of the protagonist). I honestly could not choose! I was dying in agony trying to pick one! Now, you may say that I’m biased because Matt Smith is the Eleventh Doctor from Doctor Who, but in all honesty, I went into the movie skeptical of the casting choice. I wasn’t sure if he could really pull it off. But, boy was I wrong! Most Mr. Collinses in the past have to say these goofy, awkward lines, and they almost seem aware that they’re saying them. Do you know what I mean? Like, you can kind of tell they’re making an effort to be weird and/or creepy as part of the character. I mean, it still works. But just the way that Matt Smith played it... it was just so natural and hilarious. I don’t think he really looked the part, he’s far too cute and puppy-dog-like, but he portrayed that awkward, bumbling, idiotic, clueless character very well.

As to David Bamber, I simply could not rule him out. He is just too perfect! He looks the part for one thing, but then the way he delivers his lines... I can’t handle it! He’s just so passionate. You can’t forget the way he says “Lady Catherine de Bourgh” as though she were some sort of goddess. He's incredibly awkward and clueless, but not so much so that you're repulsed by him (like some versions). Bamber has enough charm to keep him on the fence of likable and annoying which is perfect.

SUPPORTING CAST

1995 BBC mini-series

I had to go through several characters and I was torn on a couple in different adaptions, I almost thought of dividing them into more categories (but then this post would be very extensive). However, when it came down to it, I had to admit that the majority of my favorites came from the mini-series. You gotta love Mrs. Bennet and her over-dramatic wailing. Or how about Mr. Bennet and his sardonic attitude? Mr. Bingley’s ginormous smile and over-enthusiasm? Caroline and Mrs. Hurst’s stupid laughter? 

I mean, these are just a couple characters and couple of notable traits. I could go on. I think that the casting was spot on for this series and each actor captured their character perfectly right down to the drunk servant dancing outside the first ball.

PLOT (How well is the plot portrayed?)

1995 BBC mini-series

This one is on my list a lot, it seems. But there’s no denying that it lays out the plot the best. Since it is a mini series, it was able to put a lot of detail into it. There was very little of the book that was left out. Plus, it did not stray far from what was originally written (because sometimes even mini series will change up the plot a lot). Also, it was done very well and the characters were spot on. 

SCENERY

2005 movie

When I first saw this movie, I was blown away. I was so used to the look of the mini-series, I was not expecting this. I mean, the Bennets lived on a farm in the actual country. The book talks about them living in the country, but this movie takes it literally and slaps them out in the middle of the hills and farmland. 

But wow did that make for some impressive shots. I swear, every scene and every shot was a masterpiece. Whether you’re looking at the green hills of the English countryside, the rocky mountains, a grand house, the interior of a ballroom, or the inside of a barn, you are just in awe.

COSTUMES

2005 movie

Again, this movie looked fantastic! I’ll just say that it didn’t do a whole lot for me in many areas, but it sure looked amazing. The costumes are no exception. The ballgowns, the everyday dresses, the servants’ clothes, the rich clothes, the coats, the bonnets, everything was a piece of art. And everything seemed to match its setting, like a painting.

FIRST PROPOSAL SCENE

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Okay, so I barely watched this recently and obviously this movie is very unconventional and different from the actual Pride and Prejudice story. However, it does get the general story across, it just has zombies in it. Anyways, when I first saw this scene-- a very key scene to the book-- I was thoroughly entertained. I mean, traditionally Mr. Darcy comes, asks her to marry him (in a sort of back-handed way), she turns him down, and they get into a heated discussion about pride and Darcy’s faults and crimes, eventually ending with Lizzie declaring that he is the last man in the world she would ever marry.

This all still happens in PP&Z except instead of just standing there and yelling at each other, they are actually physically fighting. I know that sounds lame, but it was actually portrayed very well. I cannot even begin to describe it. I know it’s not what happens in the book, but it’s just... It’s like a physical representation of their emotions, you know? Lizzie is the one actually attacking him and he’s mostly defending himself. And the way she declares that he’s the last man in the world she could ever marry and then immediately goes to stab him in the heart. It’s rather symbolic. 

Of course the choreography of the fighting is very entertaining to watch as well.

DANCE AT NETHERFIELD
2005 movie

Like I said earlier, this movie didn't do a whole lot for me except look nice, but I do have to admit that this scene was portrayed really well. Even though it did leave out several lines and chunks of conversation, you can just feel the tension between the two characters. If I'm being completely honest, I do think that the '95 version portrays the actual conversation better, but the atmosphere and tone that this movie sets for it is perfect. Even though in the book, Lizzie is a lot more aloof and casual about her questioning while Mr. Darcy is sort of confused, the way that this movie turns it into a more intense, romantic-tension bit is great. I love when it shows them dancing alone, as if they've become the only two in room because they're so focused on each other. Also that music, it's so eerily romantic.

SECOND PROPOSAL SCENE

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

This one immediately came to mind. There is no doubt which adaption portrays this scene the best. It brings out so many emotions, I cannot handle it! I remember when I first saw it, I cried. How many adaptions can manage that? And that kiss! I’ve been considering a blog post on what makes a good on-screen kiss, and I know I would use this one as an example. Yes! So good!

It gets all the lines in there (even if they are modernized), it gets those emotions across, those two FINALLY get together! It’s perfect!