Pride and Prejudice
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Movie Reviews of Pride and Prejudice
Movie Review: Not quite authentic, but great fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
This classic version of Pride and Prejudice stars Greer Garson as Lizzie and the famous Laurence Olivier as Darcy. Maureen O'Sullivan is the lovely sister Jane, while Ann Rutherford is the wild Lydia. What's interesting is that Greer was 35 when she did the story, a bit older from the Lizzie's book age of 20.
This most certainly is NOT an authentic reproduction of the story. It's sort of like watching the Errol Flynn version of Robin Hood. You could pick apart the costumes and story for years! It's still a fun romp, though, and if it inspires people to go read the actual original stories, it's done its job.
The most glaring problem is that this was filmed shortly after Gone with the Wind - and the whole set looks like it was set in the south. The outfits are nearly unbelievable :) Still, again, the Robin Hood comparison comes to mind. It's sort of a fantasy version of the story, one that's fun to watch with some suspension of disbelief.
I really enjoy the interaction of the main characters. It has several scenes which are not in the book, but which add greatly to the fun interactions of the movie. There is an archery scene where Darcy attempts to teach Lizzie to shoot arrows - and then realizes that she is quite a fine archer already. It tweaks at his feelings of superiority, which is great. The inclusion of the Caroline scene in there is just great. You could say that it is not authentic - but there are other extremely authentic versions out there (i.e. the A&E miniseries) if that is what you seek. You watch this version for an alternate take on the story that is much more give-and-take. The way that the two agree to reconcile early on - and then their resolution is immediately shattered - gives much more back-and-forth to their romance.
Highly recommended!
Movie Review: Not as True to the Book, but So What? A Great Version!
Summary: 5 Stars
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!
Movie Review: "Five of them without dowries. What's to become of them?"
Summary: 5 Stars
One might look at the name Pride and Prejudice and instantly flash to old and outdated tales of romance where nothing really happens and the characters are unbelievable apparitions plucked from fairy tales. These assumptions would be wrong. This film features a breathtaking romance and a charming story about five sisters trying their best to get married.
The Bennet family is led by a reasonable father (Edmund Gwenn) and an excitable mother (Mary Boland) doing their best to see that their daughters do not grow up in poverty. Other families look down upon them as poor, but they dress well and behave like ladies. Elizabeth (Greer Garson), Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan), Lydia (Ann Rutherford), Kitty (Heather Angel), and Mary (Marsha Hunt) are each very different girls. Elizabeth is headstrong and witty, Jane is pretty and sweet, Lydia is immature, Kitty is young, and Mary is plain. Elizabeth takes on a motherly role with her sisters, and does her best to ensure their happiness, but takes little time out for her own. She refuses the advances of men she does not love, but finds herself falling for the rude and wealthy Mr. Darcy (Laurence Olivier). Their relationship is rocky to say the least, but a passionate tension forms between them that is undeniable and a pleasure to watch.
This movie appears to be about nothing, but tackles subjects like class prejudice, love, predatory men, gold diggers, and family bonds. There is nothing outdated about it. The best part is the slowly developed relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. In a world of "love at first sight" movies, this one is refreshingly different.
Movie Review: Sparkling Spirit
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with the reviewer who says that this version is the most faithful to the "light, bright and Sparkling" spirit of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Yes, a lot of liberties are taken with the plot; and, yes, Greer Garson is a rather mature Elizabeth, but not by much. I have seen and appreciated both the BBC 1980 version wth Elizabeth Garvie (for its faithfulness to the novel) and the A&E version with Jennifer Ehle (for the beauty of the production), but neither one matches this version in conveying the crisp bouyant humor of Austen's writing.
Though published in 1813, "Pride and Prejudice" has its roots in the 1790s, when its first iteration, "First Impressions" was written, so it's really more a product of the witty Age of Reason than of the sentimental Gothic era. A lot of productions tend to give the story too serious and sentimental a tone.
There are so many enjoyable features in this rendition. The characters are played with zest by Melville Cooper as Mr. Collins, Mary Boland as Mrs. Bennet, Marsha Hunt as Mary Bennet, and Frieda Inescort as Miss Bingley. It's hard to think of anyone better to play Lady Catherine than Edna May Oliver. The humor is high, as are the bonnets. Though the costume is more suited to the 1830s than the 1810s, it expresses some of the eccentricity that runs through the novel. Altogether a charming, fun film.
This version might not be your definitive P&P, but as someone who read the book before seeing any of the film or TV minis, I found it was the one that had the truest 'essence' of P&P. A nice addition to anyone's Austen library.
Movie Review: An undeniable Hollywood masterpiece of wit & wisdom!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is classic old-school Hollywood masterpiece at its best: with a total run time of 117 minutes, this is altogether a much-condensed version of Jane Austen's beloved tale, "Pride & Prejudice." I love A&E's 6 hour version (which is more accurate to the book), but this shorter version is just such fun to watch & enjoy!
When there are 5 unmarried daughters in any upper-class Regency family, it is sure to lead to trouble! For Mrs. Bennett, the news of a rich, young bachelor (Mr. Bingley) moving to town, sends her into quite a tizzy! She spends all her time scheming & plotting to marry her daughters off to any suitable gentleman in the neighborhood who will take them: Jane, the eldest & prettiest, Elizabeth (our heroine), the second & wittiest, Mary, the third & bookish, Kittie, the fourth & silly, and Lydia, the fifth & silliest. Mrs. Bennett has such a time keeping all her daughters in line, and all (*gasp*) without the help of a governess! The antics of the Bennett family are sure to have you rolling in stitches...
Greer Garson is simply excellent as Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennett, and Laurence Olivier is wonderful as Mr. Darcy: Elizabeth is just so independent & intelligent, while Darcy is proud & haughty. Their quick-witted, sometimes tongue-in-cheek dialogues are so entertaining to watch & enjoy! All the cast is simply excellent: Miss Bingley so snotty, Lady Catherine de Bourg so supercilious, and on and on...
This is one I have been waiting ages for the DVD release! This is highly recommended as an amazing piece of Hollywood movie history!!