Pride And Prejudice DVD Review

"PRIDE AND PREJUDICE" reviews

DVD

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-27 22:16:49

Provider

DVD Review

This release marks the 10th anniversary of this celebrated BBC production which also coincides with the 2005 movie starring Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen.

MacFadyen has a lot to live up to as Mr Darcy, considering the effect Colin Firth had on British women in this adaptation. Clad in quite possibly the finest pair of trousers ever to grace the small screen, Firth's heart-stealing portrayal was one of the most memorable aspects of this lavish production of Jane Austen's novel.

Millions were glued to their screens on Sunday nights, turning Firth into one of the romantic icons of the '90s, while other notable cast members included Alison Steadman and Julia Sawalha. In an age of heartbreak, humour, scandal and saddles, the spirited Elizabeth Bennet spurns the advances of the enigmatic Darcy, but will her opinions of him change once she finds herself moving in the same social circles as the rebuffed gent?

This two-disc set also includes a 'making of' documentary.

DVD

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2006-02-02 16:55:40

Provider

DVD Review

Sense And Sensibility was the last hurrah for the English cinema costume drama, but now Joe Wright has set about reviving this former standby with Pride And Prejudice, once again taking Jane Austen as its source. It did, of course, make it to the TV screen ten years ago with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle taking the roles now occupied by Matthew MacFadyen and Keira Knightley.

Despite the success of Pirates Of The Caribbean, her triumphs had hitherto been more pronounced in men's and movie mags, where her porcelain good looks have consistently seen her voted among the world's sexiest women. But she never previously had a role to push herself into the acting big league. That's changed with Pride And Prejudice, which sees Knightley overcome natural shortcomings for the role - she's too beautiful and too innocent - and emerge with great credit.

MacFadyen, however, steals the show as Mr Darcy, the bristling, brooding lover and haughty hero of the piece. MacFadyen plays him as insecure and diffident, a sex god unaware of his own divinity. It's a riveting performance and one that deserves acclaim in what is otherwise a very straightforward adaptation of familiar material.

The special features include the alternative American ending with the leads in a lusty clinch! Also: director's commentary, The Politics Of Dating, The Stately Homes Of Pride And Prejudice, The Bennets, The Life And Times Of Jane Austin, On Set Diaries, Galleries Of The 19th Century and Pride And Prejudice Family Tree.