Pride and Prejudice : Discovering this version

I am doing a summer holiday vacation 'study' of P and P and was led to this version by an on-line friend. (It was actually first screened in the year that I was born!) I have since managed to 'get hold' (i.e. download) it and am in the process of watching it, episode by episode. I have also recently re-watched the 1995 version and the 2005 movie, and I will be (boring everyone by!) passing comments of comparison between the three versions.

The first few things that have struck me so far (I have just watched Episode 1 of the 1980 version) are:-

1. The language used in this version is noticeably different to the two more modern versions. I do not know whether this is because of a desire to stick more faithfully with the book in this version, or whether it is because the actors want to deliver their lines clearly - either way, it strikes me as a little 'forced'.

2. I am getting confused easily as all of the Bennet girls seem to look a lot like each other - which I suppose is natural in sisters, but is not like the more recent versions, where each of the girls has a different role to play in the story and is very different to the others, both in looks and nature.

3. I recognise Marsha Fitzhalan (Caroline Bingley) from her playing of the equally snobby wife of the politician Alan B'stard in the British TV comedy series 'The New Statesman', and Tessa Peake-Jones (who - despite a dreadful pageboy haircut and Billy Bunter glasses - is far too pretty to play Mary!) from her role as Raquel in the British TV comedy 'soap' 'Only Fools and Horses'.

Motre coments to follow. Reactions and responses greatefully received

Karen St.

15th August 2009

Happiness isn't happiness without a violin-playing goat.

I love this version. It has my favourite Mr & Mrs Bennet, Jane & Bingley, Mr & Mrs Gardiner, Mr & Mrs Collins, Lady Catherine and Wickham. I've always felt that Kitty was more of a leader in mischief than Lydia in this version, but that could be because she's played by Claire Higgins. I saw her as Cleopatra many years ago and she was v. scary!

I saw David R recently in another costume drama (an Agatha Christie IIRC), he's aged well. But I'm not a fan of this version of Darcy. Too stiff for my liking.

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I lost my job
What? Why? Not the Phantom Menace?

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I was in college when this version first aired, and it's still my favorite.

I even like David Rintoul's Darcy. All the girls on my hall in college had a major crush on him and we gathered in front of a tiny 13-inch television every week to watch him in his breeches.

All adaptations take the narrator's words and put them into characters' mouths. It's not new.

Just discovered this also..i shrieked when Clare Higgins came on the screen.

http://www.aww-kittah-aww.com/up/public/97588/hrclare.jpg

Last films:
Stupeur et tremblements 8/10
Pride and Prejudice(1995) 10/10