Pride and Prejudice (BBC TV Miniseries)

Starring:Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle, David Bamber, Crispin Bonham-Carter, Anna Chancellor, Susannah Harker, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Adrian Lukis, Julia Sawalha, Alison Steadman, Benjamin Whitrow, Victoria Hamilton, Lucy Briers, Polly Maberly, Alexandra Howerd, Andrew Grainger, Sam Bloom, Bridget Turner, Roger Barclay, Kate O'Malley
Director: Simon Langton
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
Jane Austen's classic novel of 1813, Pride and Prejudice, still wins the hearts of countless schoolgirls with its romantic story of Elizabeth Bennet and her Mr. Darcy. Now, the 1996 BBC miniseries is winning over adults, with its faithful adaptation, gorgeous scenery, and superb acting.
The essence of the story is the antagonism between Mr. Darcy, a wealthy single man who believes Elizabeth to be beneath him, and Elizabeth, who upon being insulted at a dance by the aloof Darcy refuses to associate with him in any manner. Austen evokes incredible tension with the wit and flirtation of the two characters, and director Simon Langton (who also directed Upstairs Downstairs) successfully translates the repartee and conflict in this six-hour miniseries. Dialogue, for the most part, is painstakingly replicated, except when fleshing out and smoothing for modern sensibilities was necessary. Darcy, for instance, is drawn out, giving his personality significantly more depth. The acting sweeps you away to Regency England: Jennifer Ehle (of Wilde) is convincing as the obstinate Elizabeth, who, despite her mother's attempts to marry her off, spurs the attentions of Darcy. And Colin Firth (of The English Patient) will have women everywhere longing for a Mr. Darcy of their own.
For those who have been on an Austen binge--enjoying such excellent adaptations as Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion--this miniseries will round out the ultimate Austen video library. For those new to these romantic period pieces, this version of Pride and Prejudice will have you hooked and longing for more. One caveat, however: plan to watch it in an entire day, because very few have the self-control to not watch all six hours in a single sitting. --Jenny Brown
Description
The timeless themes of love and marriage in Jane Austen's superb romantic comedy have captivated readers for generations. Now, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of its writing, A&E Networks and Britain's BBC have brought this beloved classic to life in a compelling production, capturing all of the celebrated beauty of the English countryside and its glorious, stately manors.
Average customer rating:
- Reproduction horrible
- Go ahead and buy it--you know you want to.
- Pride & Predjudice with Colin Firth
- As good as I had hoped!
- One of my Favorite Movies
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Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996)
Starring: Colin Firth , Jennifer Ehle , David Bamber , Crispin Bonham-Carter , and Anna Chancellor
Director: Simon Langton
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
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Similar Items:
- Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)
- Pride & Prejudice
- Persuasion (1995)
- Emma (1996)
- Emma (A&E, 1997)
ASIN: B00005MP58
Release Date: 2001-09-25 |
Product Description
The timeless themes of love and marriage in Jane Austen's superb romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice have captured readers for generations - the novel has sold more than 20 million copies and has never been out of print. Now, A&E and the BBC have brought this beloved classic to life in a compelling production directed by Upstairs, Downstairs' Simon Langton. This stunning production captures the celebrated beauty of the English countryside and its glorious, stately manors. It features lavish costumes and an exquisite soundtrack from noted composer Carl Davis.
Pride and Prejudice is the story of the lively and rebellious Elizabeth Bennet, one of five unmarried daughters living in the countryside of 19th Century England. IN a world where obtaining an advantageous marriage is a woman's sole occupation, Elizabeth's independent manner threatens her family's future. Will her romantic sparring with the mysterious and arrogant Darcy end in misfortune - or will love's true nature prevail?
System Requirements:
Starring: Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, David Bamber, Crispin Bonham-Carter, Anthony Calf, Anna Chancellor, Susannah Harker, Julia Sawalha, Alison Steadman, Benjamin Whitrow.
Directed By: Simon Langton.
Running Time: 310 Minutes, Color.
This Film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2001 A&E Television Networks.
Format: DVD MOVIE
Amazon.com essential video
Jane Austen's classic novel of 1813, Pride and Prejudice, still wins the hearts of countless schoolgirls with its romantic story of Elizabeth Bennet and her Mr. Darcy. Now, the 1996 BBC miniseries is winning over adults, with its faithful adaptation, gorgeous scenery, and superb acting. The essence of the story is the antagonism between Mr. Darcy, a wealthy single man who believes Elizabeth to be beneath him, and Elizabeth, who upon being insulted at a dance by the aloof Darcy refuses to associate with him in any manner. Austen evokes incredible tension with the wit and flirtation of the two characters, and director Simon Langton (who also directed Upstairs Downstairs) successfully translates the repartee and conflict in this six-hour miniseries. Dialogue, for the most part, is painstakingly replicated, except when fleshing out and smoothing for modern sensibilities was necessary. Darcy, for instance, is drawn out, giving his personality significantly more depth. The acting sweeps you away to Regency England: Jennifer Ehle (of Wilde) is convincing as the obstinate Elizabeth, who, despite her mother's attempts to marry her off, spurs the attentions of Darcy. And Colin Firth (of The English Patient) will have women everywhere longing for a Mr. Darcy of their own.
For those who enjoy excellent Austen adaptations such as Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion--this miniseries will round out the ultimate Austen library. For those new to these romantic period pieces, this version of Pride and Prejudice will have you hooked and longing for more. One caveat, however: plan to watch it in an entire day, because very few have the self-control to not watch all six hours in a single sitting. --Jenny Brown
On the DVD
There's a lot to love (and a lot lacking) on the 10th anniversary limited edition. It comes in a tall, embossed green case that's out of place on a DVD shelf but blends right into a library of volumes. The three discs fit snugly in a sleeve, accompanied by a 120-page deluxe companion book. The main attraction, a retrospective documentary, features interviews with key cast members with the sad exceptions of Jennifer Ehle (who played Elizabeth) and Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy), which is bound to disappoint fans. Nonetheless, there are some amusing anecdotes from Mr. and Mrs. Bennet (played by Benjamin Withrow and Alison Steadman), Mary Bennet (Lucy Briers), Mr. Collins (David Bamber), Mr. Bingley (Crispin Bonham-Carter) and Mr. Wickham (Adrian Lukis), who all look drastically different--and younger--without their period costumes and hairstyles. One producer recalls that casting Colin Firth in the role with which his name is now synonymous was not an easy feat: he auditioned having gained weight and dyed his hair blond for another role, looking like "an unmade bed." Even Firth's own brother doubted his ability to pull off the dashing Darcy: "Isn't he supposed to be sexy?"
The special features also include a walking tour of the shooting locations with Lukis and Briers and an A&E Biography episode on Jane Austen that focuses largely on the onslaught of mid-1990s film adaptations of her novels. If it's your first time purchasing Pride & Prejudice, this collector's edition is a nice one to own. But if you already own the movie, you're not missing out on anything here. --Ellen A. Kim
Beyond Pride and Prejudice
So you'd like to... Watch a Jane Austen Novel |
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Visit the A&E Home Video DVD Store |
Stills from Pride and Prejudice (click for larger image)
Customer Reviews:
Reproduction horrible.......2007-07-03
I will forever love the story of Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennett, but, sad to say, the poor quality of this film made it distracting. I have a beautiful bedside Toshiba television set. The color is superb, yet this film was so colorless. No tone, depth, downright pale. I didn't even bother watching the second disc. It was the price that lured me. If you don't mind colorless, and you just want to hear and vaguely see the story, then by all means ...
Go ahead and buy it--you know you want to........2007-07-01
I'm still not sure why I waited so long to buy this movie--it sat on my wish list for quite a while until I decided to make the investment. If you read the book and enjoyed it, do yourself a favor and do as I did. But to get on topic, in order to properly do the novel justice, a mini-series couldn't have been better. No effort was wasted in the production of this movie, and had it been standard film-length, a lot of goodies from the book and better character development might have been left out. Everything from the clothing to the background music is accurate, considering the time period, and the acting definitely isn't shabby. Another plus: the cast isn't nauseatingly full of gorgeous actors and actresses. The characters are believable, true to their literary counterparts, and seem like people you might find in the late 1700s/early 1800s. And, while on the subject of characters, if you can't stand the "Keira Knightley" Elizabeth Bennet, Jennifer Ehle sticks to her role and the true spirit of Elizabeth. And Colin Firth makes for an excellent Darcy; he seems fit for the 'indignant, better-than-you' rich-man part.
My only complaints really don't deserve to be included, but two things nagged me throughout the film. First, Jane Bennet seemed a little too soft-spoken, even if Jane from the novel was very gentle. Susannah Harker could have put a little more 'umph' into her character but instead gave a somewhat flat performance. Second--something which amused more than bothered me--Caroline, Bingley's sister, looked like a cross-dresser most of the time. Maybe it's just me, but I hope someone else noticed that as well.
Overall, this movie is an excellent buy, and luckily it's been made to watch in shifts as episodes if you can't or don't feel like sitting through all six hours in one run.
Pride & Predjudice with Colin Firth.......2007-06-27
This is my favorite version of P&P. I am a true Jane Austen fan, and having read P&P, Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy through and through. Elizabeth is perfect as well. Mrs. Bennett's performance is outstanding. Great price through Amazon!!! Highly recommend.
As good as I had hoped!.......2007-06-27
This is a fine collection - after all these years I have finally read the book, chased up the film - and loved it for the most part although I thought Elizabeth a bit 'modern' for my tastes. So I had to get the much talked about BBC production. At first I thought Firth (Darcy) almost too remote - but oddly, by the end, was quite moved by the reconciliation of the two main protagonists. An elegant production. Some fine work by the cast, excepting Mrs Bennett who irritated me in a way that wasn't quite as Austen intended. The 'extras' (bios etc) were a little thin on the ground but the whole presentation couldn't be faulted. An excellent buy and well worth having in one's possession. And far from expensive!
One of my Favorite Movies.......2007-06-21
I love P&P, and this is the best version. Most accurate to the book.
Average customer rating:
- Are you kidding?!
- Skip the Movie; Read the Book!
- Even the purist likes it...
- Will they get together?!
- A breathtaking tale to watch again and again
|
Pride & Prejudice
Starring: Keira Knightley , Talulah Riley , Rosamund Pike , Jena Malone , and Carey Mulligan
Director: Joe Wright (IV)
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Similar Items:
- Walk the Line (Widescreen Edition)
- Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 4)
- Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)
- Pride & Prejudice
ASIN: B000E1ZBGS
Release Date: 2006-02-28 |
Amazon.com
Literary adaptations just don't get any better than director Joe Wright's 2005 version of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. The key word here is adaptation, because Wright and gifted screenwriter Deborah Moggach have taken liberties with Austen's classic novel that purists may find objectionable, but in this exquisite film their artistic decisions are entirely justified and exceptionally well executed. It's a more rural England that we see here, circa 1790 (as opposed to Austen's early 19th century), in which Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) is one of several sisters primed for marriage, with an anxious mother (Brenda Blethyn) only too desperate to see her daughters paired off with the finest, richest husbands available. Elizabeth is strong-willed and opinionated, but her head (not to mention her pride and prejudice) lead her heart astray when she meets the wealthy Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), whose own sense of decency and discretion (not to mention his pride and prejudice) prevent him from expressing his mutual affection. They're clearly meant for each other, and as Knightley's performance lights up the screen (still young enough to be girlishly impertinent, yet wise beyond her 20 years), Austen's timeless romance yields yet another timeless adaptation, easily on par with the beloved BBC miniseries that has been embraced by millions since originally broadcast in 1995. Individual tastes will vary as to which version should be considered "definitive," but with a stellar supporting cast including Judi Dench and Donald Sutherland, this impeccable production achieves its own kind of perfection. --Jeff Shannon
Description
One of the greatest love stories of all time, Pride & Prejudice, comes to the screen in a glorious new adaptation starring Keira Knightley. When Elizabeth Bennett (Knightley) meets the handsome Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen), she believes he is the last man on earth she could ever marry. But as their lives become intertwined in an unexpected adventure, she finds herself captivated by the very person she swore to loathe for all eternity. Based on the beloved masterpiece by Jane Austen, it is the classic tale of love and misunderstanding that sparkles with romance, wit and emotional force. Critics are calling it "Exhilarating. A joy from start to finish" (Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times).
Customer Reviews:
Are you kidding?!.......2007-06-30
Nothing that happens in this movie makes any sense. It's just a big f***ing ball of bulls***t. If you must watch it, I advise drinking heavily first.
p.s. I thought Conan O'Brien did pretty well as the autistic man who marries the hot blonde. WHOOPS, hope I didn't spoil any surprises.
p.p.s. The douche that Kiera K meets in the beginning? They get married too. SURPRISE!!!!!!!!
Skip the Movie; Read the Book!.......2007-06-29
I count "Pride and Prejudice" among my top-three favorite books...ever. So, I was really looking forward to this cinematic version of it. I was sorely disappointed. In all fairness, two hours just can't do justice to this wonderful novel, but this movie didn't even scratch the surface. And Keira Knightley as Lizzy? Didn't quite work for me. I say don't waste your money. The book is cheaper and will afford you greater hours upon hours of pleasure. I dare say, you'll want to read it again, which is more than I can say about viewing this film.
Even the purist likes it..........2007-06-28
Although I believed the A&E version could never be replaced in my heart due to its true-to-the-book writing, this is a wonderful sweetened condensed version and sparks a great romantic chord. Though I still adore the A&E version and would recommend it to anyone who's never read the book or is, like myself, a purist, this is a great little flick.
Will they get together?!.......2007-06-27
I love it! It doesn't go into as much detail as the first Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996) ,then again that was five hours long,and some of the best scences weren't even in the book but whats wrong with that. There are some fantastic scences, spectacular scenery, and Pride and Prejudice is one of the few movies where you are worried if they are really going to get together so it keeps you attention the entire time Knightly plays Elizabeth beautifully and Matthew Macfadyen is the perfect Mr. Darcy. Pride and Prejudice definitly didn't recieve the explosure it deserved.
A breathtaking tale to watch again and again.......2007-06-25
I have not read the book - so I am reviewing based solely on my enjoyment of the film for its own sake. It is a lovely, whimsical, romantic tale that can be enjoyed many times over. I appreciated the refreshing lack of profanity, crudity, and senseless violence that floods today's movies.
Beautiful scenary, well acted - thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend this!
Average customer rating:
- Wonderful stories
- BBC Jane Austen set
- very good productions
- great gift for women
- A worthwhile collection for any Austen fan!
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Jane Austen Collection (Sense & Sensibility / Emma / Persuasion / Mansfield Park / Pride & Prejudice / Northanger Abbey)
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Similar Items:
- Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996)
- Emma (A&E, 1997)
- Middlemarch
- Jane Eyre (BBC, 1983)
- Mansfield Park (1999)
ASIN: B000244FFU
Release Date: 2004-08-24 |
Amazon.com
The socially restricted lives of 18th-century women hardly seems like a subject that would inspire dozens of 20th (and 21st) century adaptations--but the brilliant novels of Jane Austen are flush with sparkling dialogue, razor-sharp wit, marvelously realized characters that range from adorably sympathetic to grotesquely comic, and--above all--ingeniously intricate plots, which arrive at a seemingly inevitable happy conclusion yet keep you seized with suspense every inch of the way. The Jane Austen Collection pulls together six BBC miniseries from 1971 through 1987, one for each of Austen's much-beloved books.
Unsurprisingly, the gems of the lot are also the best of the novels: Pride and Prejudice and Emma. Pride and Prejudice, expertly translated to the screen by novelist Fay Weldon, skillfully chronicles the ups and downs of the sensible but quick to judge Elizabeth Bennet (the adorable Elizabeth Garvie) and the snooty Mr. Darcy (played with an imperious scowl by David Rintoul). Any adaptation of Emma rests firmly on its central character, and Doran Godwin wonderfully captures Emma Woodhouse's resilience, determination, and exasperating self-satisfaction. Definitely the funniest of Austen's novels, Emma's satirical humor is perfectly balanced with romantic yearning, and this 1972 version succeeds delightfully.
Persuasion, though more melancholy in tone, has a wonderfully sympathetic heroine in Anne Elliot (played by the graceful Ann Fairbanks), who once turned away the man she loved but is given the chance, seven years later, to set things right. Sense and Sensibility suffers from comparison to the star firepower and cinematic sweep of the 1995 movie with Emma Thompson (a must-see for any Austen fan), but the dueling characters of gracious Elinore and headstrong Marianne, two sisters struggling with fallen fortunes, make for enjoyable viewing in this 1981 adaptation. Mansfield Park has perhaps the dullest hero and heroine of any Austen novel, yet the story zips along, powered by some of Austen's most outrageous supporting characters, here brought to deliciously comic life by Anna Massey and Angela Pleasence. Northanger Abbey satirizes gothic romances and the overheated imaginations that loved them; but though the tone is more broad and melodramatic than most of Austen, this 1987 adaptation suits the novel and rounds out this very satisfying boxed set. --Bret Fetzer
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful stories.......2007-06-13
I received this collection from my children who know that I am a Jane Austen fan. The DVD's are outstanding. There are several episodes of each story, so you can break them up if you want to - for instance, Pride and Prejudice is comprised of 5 separate episodes and requires both sides of the DVD. The adaptations are excellent - the characters are well fleshed out and believable in the ir roles. If you are a Jane Austen fan, you will love the adaptations, since they follow Ms. Austen's original story lines much more closely than some of the popular movies do. You can recognize lines from the books. Get them - you won't regret it!
BBC Jane Austen set.......2007-05-26
The BBC productions are good, but dated. It doesn't matter, however, if you are a Jane Austen fan.
very good productions.......2007-05-07
I have enjoyed these movies very much. It is interesting to see the older versions.
great gift for women.......2007-04-10
I have given this set to:
Sisters in law
nieces
grand daughters
Jane Austen was one of the greatest love story novelists and women LOVE her. I like her use of English words we don't use anymore scruple and repine for example
A worthwhile collection for any Austen fan!.......2007-04-05
This BBC boxed set has all of Jane Austen's works in one collection. As always the BBC adaptations are one of the most faithful to the novels upon which they are based. The version of Pride & Prejudice was my favorite of the collection. The actress who portrays Ms Eliza Bennett plays her role with wit, charm, and a vulnerability that is juxtaposed against the actor who plays the proud, arrogant Mr Darcy. Persuasion is also well-made, and the story of love lost and found is told poignantly with good performances by the two leads. The version of Emma here is the most faithful I have comes across of other adaptations, but I did not like the lead actress' portrayal of Emma, she seemed too stuffy, and even cold [compared to Kate Beckinsale's and Gwyneth Paltrow's performances in other versions]. This version of Sense and Sensibility was also very true to the novel, but both the main leads appeared plain and washed out [I much preferred Emma Thompson's and Kate Winslet's performances in a different version]. Finally, the version of Northanger Abbey here was truly a departure from the other DVDs in this collection, and that is quite understandable given that Jane Austen did write it in the style of a Gothic romance [whilst still poking fun at the English upper class].
All in all, its a worthwhile collection for any Austen fan, and its good to watch them and compare the scenes to the ones in the books.
Average customer rating:
- great movie
- Pride and Prejudice
- Computer Problems
- A treasure
- Wonderfully surprised
|
Pride and Prejudice
Starring: Greer Garson , Laurence Olivier , Mary Boland , Edna May Oliver , and Maureen O'Sullivan
Director: Robert Z. Leonard , and Rudolf Ising
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: B000GRUQKQ
Release Date: 2006-10-10 |
Amazon.com
Jane Austen's wonderful novel has been adapted to the screen many times, with this 1940 version representing the golden age of the Hollywood studio era. Greer Garson, then just on the cusp of her stardom, plays the headstrong Elizabeth Bennet, smartest of five daughters who must be married off. Laurence Olivier is that difficult fellow Mr. Darcy, whose mulishness about the Bennet girls begins to thaw when he gets a dose of Elizabeth's sense and sensibility. The film is done up in the glamorous MGM house style, which means we're stuck with the less-than-inspired direction of Robert Z. Leonard (The Great Ziegfeld), redeemed somewhat by a collection of handsome sets (Cedric Gibbons and Paul Groesse won the Oscar for Interior Decoration) and the dandy photography by Karl Freund, one of the greats. Anyone accustomed to the 1995 miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice will need to adjust to the swifter demands of a two-hour movie, and to be sure this version, like the 2005 Keira Knightley remake, simplifies some of Austen's scenes. It's one of the few films, by the way, with Aldous Huxley as a credited screenwriter. Edmund Gwenn is lovely as Mr. Bennet, and Mary Boland brash as Mrs. Bennet; Garson, although MGM liked to corset her in fine-lady roles, manages to let Elizabeth's sauciness come through. Actually, the movie's weak spot is Laurence Olivier's elaborate performance as Darcy, which feels too theatrical. Not that it matters; Austen's story is so good, the film sails through to its delicious finish with all flags flying. --Robert Horton
Description
Like the arrows she launches at an archery target during an elegant lawn party, Elizabeth Bennet's wit is pointed and unerring. "If you want to be really refined, you have to be dead," she says, skewering the imperious airs of her hosts. Jane Austen's timeless 1813 novel of unlikely romance is richly adapted in this lavish Academy Award? winner.* Greer Garson portrays spirited Elizabeth, one of five Bennet sisters hoping for matrimony. Laurence Olivier plays Darcy, whose arrival at a nearby estate sets maiden hearts aflutter. But first impressions can mean so very much. Elizabeth and Darcy find reasons to view each other with disdain, setting in motion a velvet struggle of Pride and Prejudice, perception and reality, forgiveness and love. You'll be irresistibly caught up in it.
DVD Features:
Other
Theatrical Trailer:Oscar?-Nominated** Crime Doesn?t Pay Short Eyes of the Navy Classic Cartoon The Fishing Bear
Customer Reviews:
great movie.......2007-06-27
this movie has to be my favorite version of pride and prejudice and greer garson was wonderful. the movie arrived quickly and without any problems
Pride and Prejudice.......2007-06-25
Penned by Aldous Huxley, this splendid adaptation of Jane Austen's satirical novel seamlessly translates her barbed criticisms of upper-class mores to the big screen. Under MGM journeyman Leonard's guiding hand, Olivier and Garson are a joy to watch as romantic interests whose strained rapport matures from mutual disdain to honest affection. Karl Freund's magnificent cinematography captures all the period details--like a lawn-party archery lesson--beautifully, while Aldous Huxley's witty dialogue preserves the spirited flavor of Austen's text. And I do mean to "Prejudice" you: Avoid the botched 2005 version!
Computer Problems.......2007-06-14
I returned the DVD to Amazon, because it wouldn't play on my iMac, Operating system X. I am extremely annoyed with Amazon for supplying an unworkable product. And Amazon didn't even respond to my complaint on the return form, just credited the account.
A treasure.......2007-06-11
I thoroughly enjoyed this version and I'm so glad I finally saw it. Though the Colin Firth 5-hour version will always be my favorite, this rendition is witty and entertaining. I didn't mind the diversions from the book, as they were fun and didn't change the meaning of the story. This is one older movie that holds up well, and Laurence Olivier was a very handsome man. It was an adjustment to picture Greer Garson in the role but as the movie progressed she grew on me. I'm going to buy this for my mother, who's in her 70s. She loves the A&E version and I think she'll like this too.
Wonderfully surprised.......2007-05-29
I was quite surprised with this version; I was prepared not to like it, because I heard it deviated from the novel. I don't have a problem with movies which don't follow the books which inspire them...so long as they *don't* use the same title. Even "Bride and Prejudice" is closer to the storyline than this 1940 attempt. But this was surprisingly good.
This 1940 Hollywood version succeeds where its 2005 counterpart (a.k.a. the Brontes' "Pride and Prejudice") does not: it has humor/satirical wit, particularly with Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet. As I missed it so much in the 2005 movie, this was a welcome relief. Mr. Bennet has dry humor, and Mrs. Bennet is at her nervous, flighty usual behavior. The look at the end Mr. Bennet gives his wife when she calls Darcy a charming person is hilarious.
As for the leads: Greer Garson is distracting *only* in that it's disconcerting to see Elizabeth look so much older than Jane, and treating Jane as if Jane were the younger sister, rather than as an equal and a confidante. Garson makes a wonderfully pert Elizabeth. Laurence Olivier is only okay...with what he has. His facial expression when he watches Lizzy dance with Wickham is a nice insight into Darcy. Bingley and Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan) are great. They're well-matched.
What I didn't like: when the movie deviates too far from Austen, it suffers, and unfortunately there's a lot of deviation.
First, and one of the more obvious...will the real Lady Catherine please stand up?
The non-Austen lines drag down even the likes of Garson and Olivier.
Darcy is not really Darcy; Austen was clear that a major cause of his stand-offish behavior is that he finds it very difficult to converse easily with strangers. Darcy here, though, is a huge social snob, but *not* awkward in society. There is then the oddity of seeing Darcy clearly flirting with Elizabeth from the start. Olivier's Darcy is
particularly pleasant and rather chatty. This Darcy would be tolerable enough to tempt me if there was some degree of consistency, but there isn't. Not long after he said he wouldn't dance with Elizabeth, he asks for an introduction. Bad character development? Poor script?
Costuming. If they decided to use these costumes because they were already made and it saved money to use them again, I'll concede that, but these were definitely *not* more glamorous. The costumes are *extremely*
distracting, especially the bonnets in the opening scene (with the huge brims that go up vertically) and the mutton chop sleeves. I'm not sure *any* era had bonnets with brims *that* tall. 2005 was tolerable (though one has to wonder at the propriety of walking around in the morning in pj's...it wasn't like they were out to grab a newspaper), but this was not good.
(On a lesser note: 1995's costume designer had mentioned wanting to make sure not to make Firth look like a sissy with some of the clothes. Unfortunately, Olivier didn't have the same costume designer.)
I did have a chuckle when they put Col. Fitzwilliam in a kilt. I didn't think Austen had made the Fitzwilliams Scottish or Irish (despite the penchant for Fitz so-and-so as a patronymic in Ireland), but okay.
If they could take the 2005 and the 1940 and combine their strong points, the version would give the Firth/Ehle miniseries a good run for its money. As it is, I have to give the 1940 a leg up on its 2005 successor for the simple reason that it manages the wit, which seems to be rather difficult.
Average customer rating:
- Reproduction horrible
- Go ahead and buy it--you know you want to.
- Pride & Predjudice with Colin Firth
- As good as I had hoped!
- One of my Favorite Movies
|
Pride and Prejudice (10th Anniversary Collector's Set) (A&E, 1996)
Starring: Colin Firth , Jennifer Ehle , David Bamber , Crispin Bonham-Carter , and Anna Chancellor
Director: Simon Langton
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
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ASIN: B000F0UUT6
Release Date: 2006-09-26 |
Amazon.com essential video
Jane Austen's classic novel of 1813, Pride and Prejudice, still wins the hearts of countless schoolgirls with its romantic story of Elizabeth Bennet and her Mr. Darcy. Now, the 1996 BBC miniseries is winning over adults, with its faithful adaptation, gorgeous scenery, and superb acting. The essence of the story is the antagonism between Mr. Darcy, a wealthy single man who believes Elizabeth to be beneath him, and Elizabeth, who upon being insulted at a dance by the aloof Darcy refuses to associate with him in any manner. Austen evokes incredible tension with the wit and flirtation of the two characters, and director Simon Langton (who also directed Upstairs Downstairs) successfully translates the repartee and conflict in this six-hour miniseries. Dialogue, for the most part, is painstakingly replicated, except when fleshing out and smoothing for modern sensibilities was necessary. Darcy, for instance, is drawn out, giving his personality significantly more depth. The acting sweeps you away to Regency England: Jennifer Ehle (of Wilde) is convincing as the obstinate Elizabeth, who, despite her mother's attempts to marry her off, spurs the attentions of Darcy. And Colin Firth (of The English Patient) will have women everywhere longing for a Mr. Darcy of their own.
For those who enjoy excellent Austen adaptations such as Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion--this miniseries will round out the ultimate Austen library. For those new to these romantic period pieces, this version of Pride and Prejudice will have you hooked and longing for more. One caveat, however: plan to watch it in an entire day, because very few have the self-control to not watch all six hours in a single sitting. --Jenny Brown
On the DVD
There's a lot to love (and a lot lacking) on the 10th anniversary limited edition. It comes in a tall, embossed green case that's out of place on a DVD shelf but blends right into a library of volumes. The three discs fit snugly in a sleeve, accompanied by a 120-page deluxe companion book. The main attraction, a retrospective documentary, features interviews with key cast members with the sad exceptions of Jennifer Ehle (who played Elizabeth) and Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy), which is bound to disappoint fans. Nonetheless, there are some amusing anecdotes from Mr. and Mrs. Bennet (played by Benjamin Withrow and Alison Steadman), Mary Bennet (Lucy Briers), Mr. Collins (David Bamber), Mr. Bingley (Crispin Bonham-Carter) and Mr. Wickham (Adrian Lukis), who all look drastically different--and younger--without their period costumes and hairstyles. One producer recalls that casting Colin Firth in the role with which his name is now synonymous was not an easy feat: he auditioned having gained weight and dyed his hair blond for another role, looking like "an unmade bed." Even Firth's own brother doubted his ability to pull off the dashing Darcy: "Isn't he supposed to be sexy?"
The special features also include a walking tour of the shooting locations with Lukis and Briers and an A&E Biography episode on Jane Austen that focuses largely on the onslaught of mid-1990s film adaptations of her novels. If it's your first time purchasing Pride & Prejudice, this collector's edition is a nice one to own. But if you already own the movie, you're not missing out on anything here. --Ellen A. Kim
Beyond Pride and Prejudice
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Stills from Pride and Prejudice (click for larger image)
Product Description
From Jane Austen's classic novel about the morals and mores of the class system in Georgian England.
The intelligent and spirited Elizabeth Bennet is one of five daughters -- which, during that era, meant trouble: because women cannot inherit, upon her father's death her family's home will become the property of their nearest male relative. Only marriage, preferably to someone wealthy, can ensure her security. But the proud young lady instantly takes offense when Mr. Darcy, a promising newcomer in town, doesn't seem quite admiring enough, and she spurns his advances.
Slowly and painfully, Elizabeth realizes her error, but not before it seems she has lost Mr. Darcy forever.
System Requirements:
Running Time 300 Mins.
Format: DVD MOVIE
Customer Reviews:
Reproduction horrible.......2007-07-03
I will forever love the story of Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennett, but, sad to say, the poor quality of this film made it distracting. I have a beautiful bedside Toshiba television set. The color is superb, yet this film was so colorless. No tone, depth, downright pale. I didn't even bother watching the second disc. It was the price that lured me. If you don't mind colorless, and you just want to hear and vaguely see the story, then by all means ...
Go ahead and buy it--you know you want to........2007-07-01
I'm still not sure why I waited so long to buy this movie--it sat on my wish list for quite a while until I decided to make the investment. If you read the book and enjoyed it, do yourself a favor and do as I did. But to get on topic, in order to properly do the novel justice, a mini-series couldn't have been better. No effort was wasted in the production of this movie, and had it been standard film-length, a lot of goodies from the book and better character development might have been left out. Everything from the clothing to the background music is accurate, considering the time period, and the acting definitely isn't shabby. Another plus: the cast isn't nauseatingly full of gorgeous actors and actresses. The characters are believable, true to their literary counterparts, and seem like people you might find in the late 1700s/early 1800s. And, while on the subject of characters, if you can't stand the "Keira Knightley" Elizabeth Bennet, Jennifer Ehle sticks to her role and the true spirit of Elizabeth. And Colin Firth makes for an excellent Darcy; he seems fit for the 'indignant, better-than-you' rich-man part.
My only complaints really don't deserve to be included, but two things nagged me throughout the film. First, Jane Bennet seemed a little too soft-spoken, even if Jane from the novel was very gentle. Susannah Harker could have put a little more 'umph' into her character but instead gave a somewhat flat performance. Second--something which amused more than bothered me--Caroline, Bingley's sister, looked like a cross-dresser most of the time. Maybe it's just me, but I hope someone else noticed that as well.
Overall, this movie is an excellent buy, and luckily it's been made to watch in shifts as episodes if you can't or don't feel like sitting through all six hours in one run.
Pride & Predjudice with Colin Firth.......2007-06-27
This is my favorite version of P&P. I am a true Jane Austen fan, and having read P&P, Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy through and through. Elizabeth is perfect as well. Mrs. Bennett's performance is outstanding. Great price through Amazon!!! Highly recommend.
As good as I had hoped!.......2007-06-27
This is a fine collection - after all these years I have finally read the book, chased up the film - and loved it for the most part although I thought Elizabeth a bit 'modern' for my tastes. So I had to get the much talked about BBC production. At first I thought Firth (Darcy) almost too remote - but oddly, by the end, was quite moved by the reconciliation of the two main protagonists. An elegant production. Some fine work by the cast, excepting Mrs Bennett who irritated me in a way that wasn't quite as Austen intended. The 'extras' (bios etc) were a little thin on the ground but the whole presentation couldn't be faulted. An excellent buy and well worth having in one's possession. And far from expensive!
One of my Favorite Movies.......2007-06-21
I love P&P, and this is the best version. Most accurate to the book.
Average customer rating:
- True to Jane's original novel
- Better than you might think
- Simply the best!
- Very Good
- Well made brittish television theater
|
Pride and Prejudice (BBC, 1980)
Starring: Marsha Fitzalan , Peter Settelen , Priscilla Morgan , Edward Arthur , and Judy Parfitt
Director: Cyril Coke
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
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- Persuasion (1995)
- Pride & Prejudice
- Pride and Prejudice
- Emma (A&E, 1997)
ASIN: B000244FDW
Release Date: 2004-08-24 |
Amazon.com
In Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice, the arrival of a young, well-off, eligible man named Mr. Bingley sends the Bennet household--with five girls of a marrying age--into a tizzy. But it's the introduction of Mr. Bingley's friend, Mr. Darcy (played with an imperious scowl by David Rintoul), that sets in motion the fate of Elizabeth Bennet (the adorable Elizabeth Garvie), resolved only after a labyrinth of social and personal complexities. Austen's novels are miracles of skillful plotting, fusing a rich understanding of psychological motivation with whimsical turns of chance. This superb BBC adaptation from 1980 zips along, thanks to lively performances, fluid direction, and a keen grasp of the wit of Austen's dialogue (expertly translated to the screen by British novelist Fay Weldon) and her satirical characters, who range from clever and kind to utterly odious. Due to its faithfulness and deep appreciation of the material, this five-episode miniseries stands up against any other film or television adaptation (at least nine to date), though Rintoul may not sets hearts aflutter the way Colin Firth did in the also excellent 1995 miniseries. --Bret Fetzer
Customer Reviews:
True to Jane's original novel.......2007-06-22
Of the three recent (past 20 some years) versions of "Pride and Prejudice", this one most accurately reflects both the words and spirit of the original story by Jane Austen. The recent movie version with Keira Knightley, while a good movie in itself, was more like Charlotte Bronte's writing than Jane Austen - very dramatic. The A&E version was my least favorite of the three. If you want the real Elizabeth Bennett, this is it.
Better than you might think.......2007-06-14
I really enjoy this 1979 production of Pride and Prejudice, finding that it still holds up very well compared to the Colin Firth version of 1995, which I also immensely enjoy; also when compared to the 2005 movie with Keira Knightley, which, again, I also very much enjoy. They all have good things to offer in their own unique way. I may as well toss in the 1940 version with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier. It's definitely old MGM/Hollywood, but, hey, it's cool in its own way, too. Well, onward with my thoughts on the 1979 BBC version.
First, the production itself is purposely more simplistic and uncluttered in nature. It's not a technical or artistic triumph by any means. However, I found myself attracted to the simple nature of it all, perhaps in a strange way reflecting simpler times. For example, you can hear the room ambience via the simple miking techniques. It sounds like you are right there in the room. The audio is not produced to make each actor sound up close to you, therefore making it sound more like real life in a real room. Well, this is just one example. Overall, the film has the look and feel of a stage play, though it's not on a stage. I will admit, though, that the photography often looks a bit soft, and there are some exposure problems. In one scene (can't remember now where it is--somewhere in the second half?), it looks like the sun came out and then went back behind a cloud. You can see the effect on a building. Weird.
All technical and artistic considerations aside (some of you may have to try hard to set these things aside), I found myself very much enjoying almost all of the the cast members and story presentation, which, I believe, are the real issues here. I believe Elizabeth Garvie is wonderful in her role. However, I would have preferred that David Rintoul's portrayal of Darcy not be so stiff. If he had been less stiff, his relationship with Elizabeth would appear to be more real. I'm sure he's a fine actor, so I must assume his portrayal of Darcy is the full intention of the producers of the film. Though I haven't yet had the chance to read the book, I've heard that Darcy isn't this stiff in the book.
I like Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Bennett (not as shrill as the 1995 version) and all the other sisters, especially Jane. She's better than the other gal in the l995 version, whose facial features are kind of funny, almost slightly boyish. The 1979 Jane is much better. I also like Mr. Bingley in this '79 version, but I don't like Mr. Collins as well as the 1995 version. He's too much like a buffoon here. Lady Catherine is excellent here, however.
There are some small details missing as compared to the 1995 version. Certain scenes in the 1995 version are more fleshed out. One thing I found likeable in the 1979 version, though, is when we can hear Lizzie's personal thoughts. That nice touch really makes it sound intimate to the viewer.
Well, we could spend lots of time comparing versions, and comparing all of them to the book. There are too many details concerning the characters and story presentation to list them here. Shall we also count the times the actors quote from the book compared to the 1995 version or the movies? I'm not going there.
I try to enjoy each movie and mini-series on its own merits. In the end, it doesn't really matter, anyway. Pick whichever one you like and just appreciate the others. They all help us appreciate Jane Austen's writing. The same can be said of the various movie and mini-series versions of Jane Eyre, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, etc.
I hope I've been able to persuade someone out there to check out this 1979 version of Pride and Prejudice and enjoy it. Every movie and mini-series version of this book brings something to the table, so I hope you enjoy this version, too.
Simply the best!.......2007-05-17
First I am going to state that Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book and I have read my copy so often that it's falling apart. The poor thing. But because of my love for the book, I have watched many of the attempts to bring it to life through the screen. I have seen the 1940's version with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, the 1995 version with Colin Firth, the 2005 version with Kira Knightly and this 1980 version from the BBC. This one is the best. period. It stays loyal to the book even using some of the exact language that Austin wrote all those years ago. If you were studying Pride and Prejudice in school and didn't want to read the book, you could watch this movie and read the epilogue at the end of the book, and you would be able to hold your own with proper discussions of the book. Not that I would recommend anyone NOT read the book! But this adaptation of the story is beautifully done. The costumes, the location, the music, and the script all blend together to transport you into a world that Jane Austin created. Please watch it and enjoy.
Very Good .......2007-05-14
A vert good adaptation to Jane Austen's book. It is better all that I have seen so far.
Well made brittish television theater.......2007-05-11
I have watched four adaptations of Jane Austens book "Pride and Prejudice" and I must say that every version has its charm. There are also a number of classic scenes that each adaptation does better than all the others. This version should be mostly for hardcore Austen lovers than seekers of screen romance, I think. It is rather faithful to the book, in dialogue and casting - I don't think any other Darcy I've seen has been prouder than this. He is so proud that it is slightly unbelievable that Lizzie should detect his love, but she is a clever girl and she does and through inner monologue makes sure the audience also gets it. I will certainly watch it many times!
Average customer rating:
- Are you kidding?!
- Skip the Movie; Read the Book!
- Even the purist likes it...
- Will they get together?!
- A breathtaking tale to watch again and again
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Pride and Prejudice (Full Screen) (2005)
Starring: Keira Knightley , Talulah Riley , Rosamund Pike , Jena Malone , and Carey Mulligan
Director: Joe Wright (IV)
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
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Similar Items:
- Walk the Line (Widescreen Edition)
- Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 4)
- Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)
- Pride & Prejudice
ASIN: B000E1ZBH2
Release Date: 2006-02-28 |
Amazon.com
Literary adaptations just don't get any better than director Joe Wright's 2005 version of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. The key word here is adaptation, because Wright and gifted screenwriter Deborah Moggach have taken liberties with Austen's classic novel that purists may find objectionable, but in this exquisite film their artistic decisions are entirely justified and exceptionally well executed. It's a more rural England that we see here, circa 1790 (as opposed to Austen's early 19th century), in which Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) is one of several sisters primed for marriage, with an anxious mother (Brenda Blethyn) only too desperate to see her daughters paired off with the finest, richest husbands available. Elizabeth is strong-willed and opinionated, but her head (not to mention her pride and prejudice) lead her heart astray when she meets the wealthy Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), whose own sense of decency and discretion (not to mention his pride and prejudice) prevent him from expressing his mutual affection. They're clearly meant for each other, and as Knightley's performance lights up the screen (still young enough to be girlishly impertinent, yet wise beyond her 20 years), Austen's timeless romance yields yet another timeless adaptation, easily on par with the beloved BBC miniseries that has been embraced by millions since originally broadcast in 1995. Individual tastes will vary as to which version should be considered "definitive," but with a stellar supporting cast including Judi Dench and Donald Sutherland, this impeccable production achieves its own kind of perfection. --Jeff Shannon
Description
One of the greatest love stories of all time, Pride & Prejudice, comes to the screen in a glorious new adaptation starring Keira Knightley. When Elizabeth Bennett (Knightley) meets the handsome Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen), she believes he is the last man on earth she could ever marry. But as their lives become intertwined in an unexpected adventure, she finds herself captivated by the very person she swore to loathe for all eternity. Based on the beloved masterpiece by Jane Austen, it is the classic tale of love and misunderstanding that sparkles with romance, wit and emotional force. Critics are calling it "Exhilarating. A joy from start to finish" (Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times).
Customer Reviews:
Are you kidding?!.......2007-06-30
Nothing that happens in this movie makes any sense. It's just a big f***ing ball of bulls***t. If you must watch it, I advise drinking heavily first.
p.s. I thought Conan O'Brien did pretty well as the autistic man who marries the hot blonde. WHOOPS, hope I didn't spoil any surprises.
p.p.s. The douche that Kiera K meets in the beginning? They get married too. SURPRISE!!!!!!!!
Skip the Movie; Read the Book!.......2007-06-29
I count "Pride and Prejudice" among my top-three favorite books...ever. So, I was really looking forward to this cinematic version of it. I was sorely disappointed. In all fairness, two hours just can't do justice to this wonderful novel, but this movie didn't even scratch the surface. And Keira Knightley as Lizzy? Didn't quite work for me. I say don't waste your money. The book is cheaper and will afford you greater hours upon hours of pleasure. I dare say, you'll want to read it again, which is more than I can say about viewing this film.
Even the purist likes it..........2007-06-28
Although I believed the A&E version could never be replaced in my heart due to its true-to-the-book writing, this is a wonderful sweetened condensed version and sparks a great romantic chord. Though I still adore the A&E version and would recommend it to anyone who's never read the book or is, like myself, a purist, this is a great little flick.
Will they get together?!.......2007-06-27
I love it! It doesn't go into as much detail as the first Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996) ,then again that was five hours long,and some of the best scences weren't even in the book but whats wrong with that. There are some fantastic scences, spectacular scenery, and Pride and Prejudice is one of the few movies where you are worried if they are really going to get together so it keeps you attention the entire time Knightly plays Elizabeth beautifully and Matthew Macfadyen is the perfect Mr. Darcy. Pride and Prejudice definitly didn't recieve the explosure it deserved.
A breathtaking tale to watch again and again.......2007-06-25
I have not read the book - so I am reviewing based solely on my enjoyment of the film for its own sake. It is a lovely, whimsical, romantic tale that can be enjoyed many times over. I appreciated the refreshing lack of profanity, crudity, and senseless violence that floods today's movies.
Beautiful scenary, well acted - thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend this!
Average customer rating:
- History and literature put together in a pleasant picture
- The movie summit! As good as movies get!
- A Tale of Two Cities
- Motion Picture Masterpieces
- Excellent collection
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Motion Picture Masterpieces Collection (David Copperfield 1935 / Marie Antoinette 1938 / Pride and Prejudice 1940 / A Tale of Two Cities 1935 / Treasure Island 1934)
Starring: Edna May Oliver , Elizabeth Allan , Jessie Ralph , Harry Beresford , and Freddie Bartholomew
Director: George Cukor , W.S. Van Dyke , and Robert Z. Leonard
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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Similar Items:
- Literary Classics Collection (Madame Bovary (1949), Captain Horatio Hornblower, The Three Musketeers (1948), The Prisoner of Zenda (1937 and 1952 Versions), Billy Budd)
- Hollywood's Legends of Horror Collection (Doctor X / The Return of Doctor X / Mad Love / The Devil Doll / Mark of the Vampire / The Mask of Fu Manchu)
- Humphrey Bogart - The Signature Collection, Vol. 2 (The Maltese Falcon Three-Disc Special Edition / Across the Pacific / Action in the North Atlantic / All Through the Night / Passage to Marseille)
- TCM Archives - Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 1 (Waterloo Bridge 1931 / Baby Face / Red-Headed Woman)
- Gary Cooper - The Signature Collection (Sergeant York / The Fountainhead / Dallas / Springfield Rifle / The Wreck of the Mary Deare)
ASIN: B000GRUQLK
Release Date: 2006-10-10 |
Amazon.com
For an accurate look at how things were at MGM in the glory days, go directly to Motion Picture Masterpieces, a DVD box with five literary-minded A-list productions. MGM liked to think of itself as the studio of class, and its highbrow aspirations (mixed with plenty of old-fashioned hokum) are on lavish display in this collection.
Louis B. Mayer ran the studio, and boy wonder Irving Thalberg supervised production. However, another strong-willed producer, future Gone with the Wind CEO David O. Selznick, was responsible for guiding a pair of highly enjoyable Dickens adaptations, both released in 1935. David Copperfield is a wonderful condensation of the sprawling novel, crammed with memorable evocations of Dickens' roster of eccentrics. Freddie Bartholomew, who became a star with this role, plays the young David; equally indelible are W.C. Fields as Mr. Micawber, Basil Rathbone as Murdstone, and especially Edna May Oliver as Besty Trotwood. Director George Cukor's empathy and craftsmanship keep the movie humming with Dickensian wit. A Tale of Two Cities followed shortly thereafter, with Ronald Colman in one of his signature roles as the drunken romantic Sydney Carton, whose throttled love for the beautiful Lucie Manette leads to the French Revolution's guillotine. Jack Conway directs in tight, brisk fashion, and once again the supporting cast (Oliver and Rathbone return from Copperfield) is flavorful.
The French Revolution also figures in the rather preposterous Marie Antoinette (1938), an eye-popping production about the bride of Louis XVI. The project was a pet of Thalberg and his wife Norma Shearer, and MGM proceeded with the overstuffed production even after Thalberg's early death. Marie gets an extramarital affair (with the young Tyrone Power) and an incredible parade of gowns and wigs, but not too much blame for the peasants starving. Robert Morley steals the show as Louis XVI, with John Barrymore in rascally form as his grandfather. Shearer's ordinariness somehow fits her out-of-it character.
Treasure Island (1934) casts Jackie Cooper as young Jim Hawkins and Wallace Beery as that one-legged seadog, Long John Silver (the pair had scored a huge hit in The Champ three years earlier). This is a lot of people's favorite adaptation of the marvelous Robert Louis Stevenson novel, and Victor Fleming's manly directing approach manages to take some of the sheen off the MGM house style (by the way, art director Cedric Gibbons, credited on all these films, is one of the stars of the box set).
Pride and Prejudice (1940) is a respectable take on Jane Austen's oft-filmed novel, with Greer Garson as the headstrong Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as the difficult Mr. Darcy. MGM liked to corset Garson in fine-lady roles, but here she lets some of Elizabeth's sauciness come through; actually, Olivier's elaborate performance is the movie's too-theatrical weak spot. But boy, does this movie tell a good story--and that's rather the point of these (Marie excepted) solid literary adaptations. --Robert Horton
Description
MARIE ANTOINETTE The woman who was France! Norma Shearer and Tyrone Power headline an opulent saga of royalty and revolution. DAVID COPPERFIELD Based on the best-selling book by Charles Dickens. W.C. Fields is Micawber, and Freddie Bartholomew is young David in a splendid version of Dickens' most autobiographical work. A TALE OF TWO CITIES From the famed author Charles Dickens. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Ronald Colman stars in the lavish story of the French Revolution...and one man's redemption. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Based on the best-selling book by Jane Austen. Mr. Darcy (Laurence Olivier) sets maiden hearts aflutter - except for that of unimpressed Elizabeth Bennett (Greer Garson). Austen's masterwork! TREASURE ISLAND Based on the unforgettable book of the same title by Robert Louis Stevenson. Avast, me hearties, for the swashbuckler about a boy with a treasure map - and a pirate (Long John Silver) with a scheme. The Champ's Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper reunite!
Customer Reviews:
History and literature put together in a pleasant picture.......2007-05-07
Although the content of some of the movies in this box has a very tragic ending there are qualities that are common to all the dvds of the box.
First of all, the ability and amazing acting skills of the actors, whether leading roles or supporting ones, it is really a pleasure to see the superb performances they can give to a large variety of characters.
The witty dialogues, the scenery and the good restoration of the film are more than added values.
You can enjoy a journey through history with Marie Antoinette or amuse yourself with the intricated plots from Jane Austen and the classic literature from Dickens and Stevenson.
You really get your money's worth with this collection.
The movie summit! As good as movies get!.......2007-03-18
The title tells the truth. Even by 1930's golden age of Hollywood standards, these five movies are literary masterpieces and true film classics. I remember all five fondly as a teenager in the late 1960's and early 1970's in long-gone San Francisco art theaters, and cut to threads on morning prize movie TV shows. It is an honor to watch them now in a comfortable bedroom, uncut and non-commercial. They are, of course, MGM studio print editions that in one instance, MARIE ANTOINETTE, even contains roadshow music and an intermission never seen on television.
TREASURE ISLAND (1934) stars Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper, was directed by Victor Fleming (CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS, GONE WITH THE WIND), and is based on a Robert Louis Stevenson novel about pirates and buried treasure. In gorgeous B&W, it reunites Beery and Cooper from THE CHAMP (1931) and also features Lionel Barrymore and Lewis Stone. Come to think about it, this is a reunion for half the cast of GRAND HOTEL (1932).
DAVID COPPERFIELD and A TALE OF TWO CITIES (both 1935) are towering masterpieces based on Charles Dickens novels; both are impeccably produced by David O. Selznick. Painstakingly faithful to very long books, they both have gorgeous art direction and are cast to perfection down to the bit roles: W.C. Fields as Micawber, Freddie Bartholomew and Frank Lawton as David, Basil Rathbone as Mr. Murdstone, and Edna May Oliver as Aunt Betsey in DAVID; and Ronald Colman in maybe his greatest performance in TALE, which also features Oliver and Rathbone. At about 130 minutes each, they are long enough to do justice to the Dickens novels; I am sure he would have loved both immensely.
MARIE ANTOINETTE (1938), presented in a never-seen 157 minute roadshow edition, has an Oscar-nominated Norma Shearer in a wonderful role. If someone wanted to know who Shearer was, I would show this incredibly opulent and literate costume romance to them. It is the underrated masterpiece of this box set and also stars Tyrone Power and an Oscar-nominated Robert Morley as a shy, child-like King Louis XVI. The magnificent art direction and regal music were also Oscar-nominated. W.S. Van Dyke (THE THIN MAN, SAN FRANCISCO) directed.
Finally, we have a splendidly cast and written adaptation of Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (1940), starring Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Oliver as Mr. Darcy. Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin scripted this lovely and witty romantic comedy of manners that won an Oscar for B&W Interior Set Decoration.
But you don't just get five great movies in this Warner Home Video boxed set. TREASURE ISLAND also comes with two shorts, a cartoon, and a theatrical trailer. DAVID COPPERFIELD has the marvelous Technicolor short PIRATE PARTY AT CATALINA ISLE, along with a second Technicolor short, a cartoon, and a theatrical trailer. A TALE OF TWO CITIES has a memorable 60 minute Lux Radio Theater adaptation of TALE from 1942, starring Ronald Colman, along with two vintage cartoons and the theatrical trailer. MARIE ANTOINETTE has two shorts and a theatrical trailer, all tied in to the 1938 movie. And PRIDE AND PREJUDICE has an Oscar-nominated patriotic short on Navy training during World War Two, plus a color cartoon and theatrical trailer. It is one hell of a DVD boxed set, a labor of love and an absolute must-see on a slow TV week.
A Tale of Two Cities.......2007-01-16
We acquired this collection because we wanted to own the 1935 version of A Tale of Two Cities. We just watched it and had a wonderful experience. The movie is very close to the plot, the performances are superb. Charles Dickens' book will forever be a testament to the struggle of humanity between the have and have nots.
The performance of Blanche Yurka, as Madame DeFarge is outstanding. The citizens of France, seeking to put an end to the tyranny they experience from the oppressing aristrocracy, presents the never ending example that when rights are stepped on, it always ends in revolution and change. The Marquis St. Evremonde, played by Basil Rathbone, provides a view to the horror it represents for anyone to show they do not care about those who suffer. Especially when it comes to children; for the horror committed against this family, sparks the fire that leads to events that put an end to the ruling society.
Dr. Manette's performance as the innocent man who was a prisoner at the Bastille for over 18 years is superb. His daughter, played by Elizabeth Allen, represents the person that inspires great love in two men, one Charles Darnay, and Sydney Carton, superbly played by Ronald Colman.
The character of Miss Pross, played by Edna May Oliver, is awesome. We go from disliking her, to admiring and then loving her for her sacrifice that saves the life of Ms. Manette. In the end, the sacrifice made by Sydney for the love of Lucie is one of the most sensitive and touching of all love stories. He finds purpose for his life, knowing full well that his actions shall forever live in the hearts of those he sacrifices for. Would highly recommend owning this DVD. The other movies shall be reviewed as we see them.
Motion Picture Masterpieces.......2007-01-14
A set of classic movies.
The collection includes several of my favourite movies - now in excellent video and sound quality.
I particularly enjoyed Prode and Prejudice - this is the version that all following copies are judged against. The acting is superb, and the cast is amazing!
This is a collection worthy of keeping ( and enjoying) for years to come.
An excellent example of Hollywoos at it's prime.
Excellent collection.......2007-01-12
This DVD set is a great example of the golden age of the movie studios. There is a little something for everyone in this set. The length of each of the DVD's hovers around 90 minutes and the time really zips by. For my money, this is the best version of David Copperfield with a top rate cast including WC Fields as Macawber and little Freddie Bartholomew as David. Marie Antoinette with Norma Shearer is heads and tails above that awful recent Marie misfire. This Pride and Prejudice is quick, to the point and completely enjoyable with Lawrence Olivier as Darcy and Greer Garson as Elizabeth (not to mention the amazing Mary Boland as Mrs. Bennett). A Tale of Two Cities is the best adaptation of Dickens ever on the screen. Ronald Coleman is perfect as the doomed hero. And finally the original pirate movie Treasure Island with the fantastic Wallace Beery as Long John Silver. Force your kids (and yourself) to watch all or at least some of these great classics. You won't be sorry.
Average customer rating:
- Okay, for a modern version....
- Fun, modern-day take on P & P
- Low-key but nice
- Absolutely great
- so funny....not!
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Pride & Prejudice (2003)
Starring: Kam Heskin , Orlando Seale , Ben Gourley , Lucila Solá , and Henry Maguire
Director: Andrew Black (III)
Manufacturer: Excel Entertainment Group, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
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Similar Items:
- Bride and Prejudice
- Pride & Prejudice
- Pride and Prejudice (BBC, 1980)
- Pride and Prejudice (1940) [Import]
- I Have Found It (Kandukondain Kandukondain)
ASIN: B0002ZH5PQ
Release Date: 2004-07-27 |
Customer Reviews:
Okay, for a modern version...........2007-06-08
It is not a Jane Austen movie for sure but will do for a quick fix of a chick flick.
Fun, modern-day take on P & P.......2007-01-18
This is a fun, light